What is the best cream for very dry skin

We updated this article in December 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.

We all know the discomfort that comes with dry, flaky skin—whether the cause is a skin condition, the weather, or even just the natural result of getting older. Thankfully, slathering on some body lotion can help you get some relief, but you might find that your ordinary, everyday lotion just won’t cut it. The best lotion for dry skin will deliver the right ingredients to hydrate and soothe parched, lizard-like skin—even in the dead of winter, when dryness is typically at its worst.

“Cold weather can disrupt the lipid bilayer, which protects our skin from the environment, thereby causing skin dryness, sensitivity, and flaring skin conditions like eczema,” explains Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. But it’s not even just the outdoor cold air that can lead to flakiness and itchiness; the dry heat indoors also contains little humidity, which can further parch your skin.

To combat this, using a hydrating lotion designed specifically for dry skin is key. But it’s important to be mindful of the other products you’re using, too—like your body wash, which can actually make dry skin worse, says Diane Madfes, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Madfes Aesthetic Medical Center in New York City. That’s why you’ll want to choose a mild body wash to soothe dry skin and skip exfoliating cleansers, which can exacerbate dryness when the air is cold and dry.

Meet the Experts: Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, Diane Madfes, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Madfes Aesthetic Medical Center in New York City, Shari Sperling, D.O., board-certified dermatologist of Sperling Dermatology, Shari Marchbein, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Downtown Dermatology in New York City, Mona Gohara, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and member of Prevention’s Medical Review Board.

Our top picks:

• Itch Defense Calming Body Lotion Curél Read More

• Best for Extremely Dry Skin

  Ultra Repair Cream First Aid Beauty Read More

• Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Lotion Aveeno Read More

• Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm Avène Read More

• Best Lightweight Lotion for Dry Skin

  Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream Neutrogena Read More

• Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion Aveeno Read More

Below, we’ve rounded up the very best lotions, creams, and moisturizers recommended by dermatologists to help soothe and heal dry, flaky skin. Whether you’re looking for an everyday body lotion or a special ointment for dry, cracked feet, consider these top-rated products to keep all skin types feeling silky smooth year-round.

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Itch Defense Calming Body Lotion

Skin TypeDry, ItchyKey IngredientsAdvanced Ceramide Complex, Pro-vitamin B5, Shea ButterFormula BenefitsFragrance-free

Skin TypeNormal to DryKey IngredientsCeramides, Glycerin, Hyaluronic AcidFormula BenefitsFragrance-free, Paraben-free, Allergy-tested, Non-comedogenic

Best for Extremely Dry Skin

Skin TypeAllKey IngredientsColloidal Oatmeal 0.5%, Shea Butter, AllantoinFormula BenefitsAlcohol-free, Fragrance-free, Paraben-free, Gluten-free, Nut-free, Soy-free, Vegan

Skin TypeVery DryKey IngredientsCeramides, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Lactic AcidFormula BenefitsFragrance-free, Paraben-free, Dye-free

Skin TypeSensitive, Dry to Extra DryKey IngredientsCeramides, Shea Butter, Niacinamide, GlycerinFormula BenefitsFragrance-free, Paraben-free, Non-comedogenic

Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Lotion

Skin TypeItchy, Extra DryKey IngredientsTriple Oat Formula with Shea Butter, DimethiconeFormula BenefitsFragrance-free, Parabens-free, Dye-free

Skin TypeDry to Normal, Sensitive SkinKey IngredientsGlycerin, Niacinamide, PanthenolFormula BenefitsHypoallergenic, Non-comedogenic, Fragrance-free, Paraben-free, Sulfate-free

Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm

Skin TypeVery Dry, Prone to Eczema and Atopic DermatitisKey IngredientsGlycerin, Mineral OilFormula BenefitsFragrance-free, Parabens-free, Preservative-free, Dye-free

Best Lightweight Lotion for Dry Skin

Skin TypeSensitive, DryKey IngredientsHyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, PetrolatumFormula BenefitsFragrance-free, Paraben-free

Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

Skin TypeSensitive, DryKey IngredientsColloidal Oatmeal, Dimethicone 1.2%Formula BenefitsFragrance-free, Paraben-free, Dye-free

Skin TypeExtra DryKey IngredientsGlycerin, Vitamin E, Pro-Vitamin B5Formula BenefitsFragrance-free

Skin TypeSeeverely Dry, Rough or Cracked SkinKey IngredientsLanolin, Vaseline, Bisabolol, PanthenFormula BenefitsParaben-free, Gluten-free

Skin TypeDryKey IngredientsGlycerin, Beeswax, Botanical OilsFormula BenefitsFragrance-free, Paraben-free, Preservative-free

How to choose the best body lotion for dry skin

Read the ingredient list. Glycerin, shea butter, cocoa butter, and ceramides are a few of the must-have moisturizing ingredients in a good lotion, Dr. Madfes notes. Hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, colloidal oatmeal, petrolatum, and urea are also helpful ingredients that add and lock in moisture. Although the right scent can be energizing or relaxing, added fragrances can spur irritation, so choose a fragrance-free formula if you have sensitive skin.

Find your hero product. If you don’t like the feel or smell of a lotion, you’re just not going to use it, Dr. Bae warns, meaning you’ll be stuck with extremely dry skin. There’s a big difference among products, so if you don’t like one, try another until you find one that you’ll stick with. You can buy a fancy lotion, but you don’t have to; drugstore brands can get the job done just as well.

Test, if necessary. If you know you have especially sensitive skin that’s reacted to body lotion in the past, consider patch-testing before applying to your whole body. Dr. Madfes recommends trying it on a small area on your chest for a couple days. No reaction? You’re good to go.

Can you put body lotion for dry skin on your face?

If you're using lotions to treat dry skin, the Cleveland Clinic advises using products that are specifically designed for the affected area of your skin. Since body lotions tend to be heavier, and the skin on your face tends to be thinner and more sensitive than on your body, it's best not to use body lotions on your face; you'll want to look for ones that are specifically designed for your face instead. That being said, there are some body lotions that pull double duty and are designed to be used on your face as well — just make sure to check the label on your product beforehand.

How we chose the best lotions for dry skin

We first consulted board-certified dermatalogists Dr. Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, M.D., Dr. Diane Madfes, M.D., Shari Sperling, D.O., Shari Marchbein, M.D., and Mona Gohara, M.D., to determine what to look for in the best lotions for dry skin. We then scoured countless customer reviews online to formulate our top picks.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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