If you suffer from dry skin, you know it’s not just “lack of moisture.” It can also mean skin that’s tight, dull, itchy, scaly, and just plain maddening. Dry skin on the face, of all places? Harder to ignore and even more frustrating.
Among us mature ladies, dry skin can be a consequence of age. But you can return your skin to its soft, hydrated, smooth glory. A key step? Choosing the best natural facial moisturizer for dry skin.
With so many options available, I’m here to remove the guesswork by sharing my top picks for the best moisturizers for dry skin on the face.
Why Does Aging Cause Dry Skin?
Some major aging factors behind dry skin include:
- Keratin-producing skin cells don’t multiply properly, meaning more moisture lost
- Natural oil production is slower and reduced
- Dead skin shedding slows down
- Elastic fibers (elastin) can thicken, then deteriorate, causing thicker, wrinkled, and drier skin
Plus, experts say we lose around 30 percent of our skin’s collagen — the protein that makes skin plump and strong — in the first five years of menopause. That collagen loss, combined with the hormone changes, can also cause dry skin.
All these changes might have you reaching for the nearest moisturizer stat, so which is the best facial moisturizer for dry skin.
The 8 Best Organic Facial Moisturizers for Dry Skin
The make-or-break factor of the best facial moisturizer for dry skin: clean, effective ingredients.
Learning that most big brands put harmful, toxic ingredients in their skincare inspired me to take a deep-dive into finding the best clean skincare.
Now, I’m dedicated to sharing my ethical, scientifically backed, natural favorites with you.
Ready for my top clean skincare picks for the best facial moisturizers for dry skin? Keep reading.
1. Leahlani Skincare’s Bless Beauty Balm
Is your dryness out of control? Let me introduce the best facial cream for extremely dry skin. This balm has a potent, rich formula with moisturizing properties from:
- Cocoa butter: Natural occlusive (prevents moisture loss) with moisturizing lipids
- Shea butter: Natural emollient (helps restore skin barrier) with skin-repairing vitamins and collagen-boosting properties
- Argan oil: Rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E, shown to improve skin elasticity in women postmenopause
However, cocoa butter may clog pores, so for my acne-prone sisters, I recommend:
2. Maya Chia’s Advanced Response Complex (ARC) Face and Neck Cream
This Maya Chia wonder is among the best facial moisturizers for dry, acne-prone skin.
Most dermatologists recommend acne-prone patients find a moisturizer with three key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid. The ARC cream has all three!
Plus, it’s chock-full of botanicals that firm, brighten, and smooth skin while showing wrinkles and fine lines the door.
3. Skin Dew Coconut Water Cream by One Love Organics
If you have dryness and combination-type skin, Skin Dew might be your new best friend. I adore the pH-balanced formula that combines a rich whipped texture from cupuacu butter with lightweight but mighty hydration from coconut water.
You may know coconut water’s various anti-aging properties, but cupuacu butter is an underrated, clinically proven star for bringing skin hydration, antioxidants, and elasticity.
Two more rockstars: Aquaxyl™ and Antileukine™ 6. Aqua- and anti- what?
Aquaxyl™, a combination of three plant-derived sugars, is scientifically shown to help the skin retain water and natural oils. Antileukine™ 6 is a seaweed extract demonstrated to reduce inflammation, especially for sensitive skin.
4. Gaia Face Cream by NINI Organics
Formulated for mature skin, the Gaia Face Cream is a goddess-send. What makes this one of the best facial moisturizers for dry skin?
- Calendula extract is known for treating wounds and skin rashes, but it’s also been shown to boost skin hydration and firmness.
- Olive leaf extract is clinically proven to improve skin hydration, wrinkles, and overall skin rejuvenation.
- Studies on pomegranate stem cells have shown results of retaining more collagen and reducing UVB-ray skin damage, along with benefits like preventing moisture loss.
The cherry on top? A sweet smell of rose, cocoa, and vanilla!
5. AYUNA’s Cream II – Rejuvenating Treatment (Rich)
Moisturizing before makeup is key to locking in hydration and smoothing your facial canvas. The AYUNA Cream II is one of the best face moisturizers for dry skin before makeup.
Though richer and thicker than AYUNA’s Cream I, the Cream II isn’t greasy or heavy. It’s designed to be a moisturizer and primer. Use it under your makeup during the day or at night to wake up rejuvenated — or both!
People praise this as the best face cream for dry skin for ladies because it doesn’t clog pores, and provides a long-lasting smooth finish.
6. Agent Nateur’s Holi (Créme) Filter Face Créme
The Holi cream is another “holi” grail moisturizer before makeup and one of the best facial moisturizers for dry skin that’s acne-prone.
The formula ditches pore-clogging and irritating ingredients like petrolatum, fragrances, and essential oils.
Instead, it’s packed with nutrient-rich, nourishing and protective ingredients like squalane, glycerin, Vitamin E, and Agent Nateur’s “star ingredient” calcium ketogluconate — a skin conditioner that stimulates elastin and hyaluronic acid production.
Fans of this product rave about how great their makeup looks over it — some even say they don’t need makeup after using it!
7. Alpyn Beauty’s PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer
Don’t let the rosy color fool you — this moisturizer is a knockout. It pairs lightweight, velvety smoothness with powerful ceramides, squalene, and hyaluronic acid to fortify your skin’s moisture barrier.
The Melt Moisturizer’s real heavy lifter is bakuchiol. Those who’ve suffered negative side effects of retinoids love bakuchiol as a gentler, retinol-like alternative with proven anti-aging, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory results minus irritation or scaling.
8. Graydon’s Skin Stuff
Last but not least among the best moisturizers for dry skin on the face is one of my go-tos. Skin Stuff is a Green Certified must-have, especially for my sensitive- or reactive-skin ladies.
Its anti-aging ingredients include botanical ceramide and Vitamin E, which works alongside glycerin and evening primrose oil for hydrating and boosting collagen. Yes, please!
Clean Skincare Tips to Reduce Dry Skin
We’ve covered the best moisturizer for dry skin on the face. Here are some of my top tips for reducing dry skin:
- Apply moisturizer a few minutes after showering
- Opt for shorter, warm (not hot) showers
- Only use gentle exfoliants moderately
- Avoid “unscented” labels
One criteria of a dermatologist recommended facial moisturizer for dry skin is that it’s not “unscented” — meaning often contains irritating odor-masking chemicals — but rather “fragrance-free,” meaning zero fragrance ingredients added.
Check out my clean beauty blog for more effective, clinically backed tips!
Dive into Age-Defying Hydration with the Best Facial Moisturizers for Dry Skin!
Whether your skin gets dry all the time, seasonally, or whenever it seems to feel like it, you can take back control. The best moisturizer for dry skin on the face can bring your skin the hydration, protection, and moisture it needs.
Interested in more clean skincare? Visit my shop to browse the world’s cleanest skincare products, researched and trusted by yours truly!
