Those with dry skin will be all too familiar with having to apply several layers of moisturiser, only to have it virtually disappear into your face minutes later, leaving skin patchy and tight by the middle of the day.
Enter our favourite day moisturisers for dry skin, all of which are luxuriously rich and nourishing without being greasy (making them great bases for make-up), and leave skin plumped, comfortable and flake-free for at least 10 hours after application.
1. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Rich Cream, 50ml: £15.30, Escentual
Vichy’s Aqualia range is one of the best low-price options on the market for dry skins, and this hyaluronic acid and lipid-infused moisturiser does an incredible job of soothing and plumping tight and dry skin for the price.
2. Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator, 50ml: £34, Clinique
This light oil-free moisturiser has a gel-like formula and refreshes tight, irritated dry skin immediately. Our tester found the finish a little tacky, but it was more than made up for by the lasting moisture it provided in the face of a full day in the office.
3. Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Rich Luminescence Cream, 50ml: £44.50, Feel Unique
For a supple, plumped, non-tacky base for make-up in the morning, Givenchy’s Rich Luminescence is the one. Our tester found it kept dry, flaky patches at bay all day, even with foundation over the top. Those with greasy areas around the nose might find its shea butter and jojoba oil a little heavy, though.
4. Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream, 50g: £41, Marks & Spencer
Cloud Cream has a unique foam-like consistency – hence the name – that melts to a cream on the skin. It contains sodium hyaluronate to moisturise, soothing oat extract and Skyn Iceland’s hydrating and detoxtifying signature glacial water and oxygen complex. Our tester found it was great for softening skin left tight and red by harsh weather. Natural beauty lovers will appreciate Skyn's chemical-free, vegan approach and its recycling scheme for product empties.
5. Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream, 50ml: £36, Clarins
This light, fresh-smelling moisturiser provides a longer lasting moisture boost than its light texture suggests on application. Our tester found it helped her skin stay bright and moisturised where it would usually become tight and papery throughout the day.
6. Alpha H Liquid Gold 24-Hour Moisture Repair Cream, 50ml: £51, Look Fantastic
Alpha H’s liquid gold exfoliator has gathered a cult following and the range’s moisturiser seems likely to follow. With exfoliating glycol acid, regenerating stem cells, peptide matryxl 6 to reduce wrinkles and lactic and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and strengthen, it’s a real lifesaver for more mature, parched skins.
7. Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Triple Rose Renewing Moisturiser, 50ml: £57.68, Feel Unique
The slightly talcum-powdery rose scent of this moisturiser from the therapeutic spa brand might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but its rejuvenating, hydrating power can’t be argued with and the way its thick, white formula melts into skin is luxurious and nourishing.
8. Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Plus, 30ml: £48, Estée Lauder
For more mature dry skins, this power product from Estée Lauder plumps, firms and reduces fine lines, leaving skin radiant and still moist to the touch by the end of the day.
9. Avène Rich Compensating Cream, 50ml: £16.50, Escentual
This gentle, richly nourishing moisturiser cleared up stubborn flaky patches within a week of use and reduced redness and irritations, all at a total bargain price – there’s not really much more to say on this one.
10. The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors, 30ml: £4.90, Look Fantastic
The Ordinary has been making waves for its zero-fuss (and therefore low-price) focus on clinically proven ingredients, and this is no different. Natural moisturising factors are what protect and hydrate the outer layer of skin – amino acids, fatty acids, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, among others – and this contains an incredible dose of them, for less than a fiver.
The Verdict
For younger skins on a budget, look no further than Vichy’s Aqualia, while more mature dry skins looking for a hero product won’t be disappointed by Alpha H’s moisturiser addition to the Liquid Gold range.
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