Products for
Dry Skin

Dry skin, which affects most of us at some point in our lives, can have many possible causes. It can be influenced by both internal and external factors, including low humidity, cold weather, certain skin conditions or illnesses, and taking excessively long, hot showers.¹ A board-certified dermatologist can help identify the root cause(s) of your dry skin, as well as recommend the best products for dry skin to help you restore the look of hydrated, smooth, more comfortable-feeling skin. To learn more about dry skin causes, head to our guide on dry vs. dehydrated skin.

Everyone’s skin is unique. This means that—depending on factors like your age, environment, and health status—signs of dry skin can vary from person to person. According to the Mayo Clinic, when skin loses too much moisture, you may experience a feeling of tightness, as well as rough texture, itchiness, flaking, and more visible fine lines. These signs of dry skin may worsen with age (especially over 40), as well as during the harsh, dry winter months¹. That’s why it’s so important to listen to your skin and seek the help of a dermatologist when needed. 

To help tackle dry skin, you’ll need a targeted skincare routine that helps preserve and enhance skin moisture levels. We recommend using a gentle, yet effective cleanser for dry skin twice daily to remove excess oil and dirt, without leaving your skin feeling stripped. Applying moisturizer regularly—especially after bathing when your skin is still slightly damp—is another important step to help hydrate and soothe dry skin.

It may also be helpful to carry travel-friendly skincare products for dry skin, like moisturizing hand cream or ointment, to help relieve dryness on-the-go. Proper sun protective measures should also be a core part of your daily dry skin regimen since damage from the sun’s harmful rays may worsen dryness¹. For further guidance on how to help relieve dry skin, consult with your physician or dermatologist. Dry skin that is painful, cracks, bleeds, or interferes with your quality of life should always be assessed by a medical professional and may be a sign of an underlying illness¹.

When looking for the best products for dry skin, check the label for beneficial ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide) and seals of approval from reputable organizations (like the National Eczema Association). The American Academy of Dermatology AAD, for instance, recommends avoiding products that contain alcohol, fragrance, or harsh chemical exfoliants, as these may be irritating to dry skin or strip away natural oils.² This is one of many reasons all CeraVe products for dry skin are fragrance-free and developed with dermatologists. Formulated with three essential ceramides, they also help to lock in moisture and help maintain your skin’s protective barrier. 

Ceramides (pronounced “sair-uh-mydes”) are essential natural fatty components of human and animal skin, making up around 50% of its outer layer. They’re essential in helping to replenish and maintain your natural protective skin barrier, which helps keep moisture in and harmful elements out.³ When there’s a lack of humidity in the air, the levels of ceramides in your skin become depleted, leading to dry skin and other issues. Plus, as we age, our natural production of ceramides slows down. Both of these factors can contribute to dry skin either seasonally or year-round.³ This is why ceramides are such an effective ingredient in skincare products for dry skin, as well as for healthy-looking skin in general.

In addition to skin-essential ceramides, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends looking for some of these soothing ingredients in the best products for dry skin.⁴ (Bonus: You’ll also find the below in CeraVe skincare products for dry skin):

● Dimethicone
● Glycerin
● Hyaluronic acid
● Lactic acid
● Petrolatum

In addition to the above ingredients, some other AAD tips for dry skin include using a humidifier in dry environments to help add moisture to the air, as well as avoiding potentially drying ingredients such as alcohol and fragrances.⁴

A gentle, quality moisturizer is an essential skincare product for dry skin on your face. Using a face moisturizer twice daily—morning and night—can help seal in moisture and support healthy skin barrier function. We recommend choosing a daytime moisturizer option that includes broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30, such as CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion With Sunscreen. This hydrating face lotion with three essential ceramides is ideal for dry skin, with a multitasking formula that helps protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, which can cause further dryness. 

For a nighttime face moisturizer for dry skin, try CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with niacinamide. Discover more tips and moisturizer advice in our guide to choosing a facial moisturizer for your skin type.

For dry skin on your body, CeraVe offers a range of options to choose from. Our body moisturizers, for instance, are available in various textures and formulas to suit all preferences and needs, including creams, lotions, and ointments. For example, one excellent cream option that features a rich, non-greasy texture is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. This fast-absorbing, fragrance-free moisturizer helps improve the look and feel of dry to very dry skin and features beneficial ingredients like petrolatum, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. If you’re looking for a lightweight, oil-free body moisturizer option, we recommend CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. This body lotion is gentle on the skin, provides long-lasting hydration, and features hyaluronic acid. To learn more about dry skin on your body, check out CeraVe’s body care routine for dry skin.

If you have dry skin, whether it’s on your face, body, or both, you’ll want to make sure to keep hydration top of mind. First off, after using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser (with warm—never hot—water), apply moisturizer while your skin is dabbed dry but still damp. This will help to retain and seal in moisture in your skin.⁴ Then, repeat as needed throughout the day or as directed on the labels of your skincare products for dry skin or as recommended by your dermatologist.

In general, a thicker formula (like a cream or ointment) is considered most effective for dry skin, according to Harvard Health.⁵ CeraVe offers a range of cream and ointment options depending on the severity of your dry skin, from ones that are suitable for all skin types, as well as normal to dry skin, all the way up to CeraVe Healing Ointment, which is for dry to very dry skin. Formulated with petrolatum, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, our Healing Ointment helps to temporarily protect, soothe, and hydrate skin as it recovers from cracking, chafing, and extreme dryness, providing relief and comfort from dry skin in the process. 

1. “Dry Skin - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 25 Jan. 2022. Updated August 25, 2023.
2. “How To Choose the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin.” American Academy of Dermatology. January 25, 2022.
3. Ceramides. Cleveland Clinic. April 15, 2025.
4. Dermatologists’ Top Tips for Relieving Dry Skin. American Academy of Dermatology. Updated May 16, 2024.
5. 9 Ways to Banish Dry Skin. Harvard Health. September 24, 2020. Updated July 24, 2024.