30 moisturisers that deliver deep hydration to dry skin (2025)

When it comes to our thoughtfully curated moisturiser recommendations, we considered ingredients, product specs and, most importantly, our own experience with each and every one.

Some of our product suggestions have been favourites of ours for well over a year, whilst others made their way into our hearts in more recent months.

With so many moisturisers on the market, our list focuses on moisturisers that have helped to soothe and keep our dry skin at bay. The price point varies between each product but whether you're looking for a budget-friendly suggestion or fancy a bit of a splurge, we've included moisturisers for all price points.

Ah, the mighty Weleda Skin Food. This humble high-street player may cost £16 but it has remained a favourite amongst celebrities and makeup artists for years – not to mention the many awards it has won.

What makes it so special? It's a multi-functional, satisfyingly rich treatment that makes the perfect base for makeup, thanks to its glowy sheen, but it also deeply hydrates the skin, lips and cuticles. It'll be the hardest working product in your makeup bag.

We're big lovers of e.l.f – and not just for its Halo Glow filter. The budget brand also has stellar skincare picks, including the Gel-Yeah Moisturiser.

The soothing pot of cream is the perfect player to take you into the sunny season. True to its name, the lightweight gel instantly hydrates parched skin without leaving a greasy slip or piling over time. You can even store it in the fridge for a refreshing sensation, helping to mollify redness or inflammation.

All you need to do is lovingly apply it to your skin and let the blend of plant-based squalane and allantoin (a saviour for sensitivity) do the hydrating.

We've gotten through more pots of this wonder moisturiser than we can count. Not only does the formula tackle visible signs of skin ageing, but it offers a rich boost of hydration.

Better still, if you love a product that offers a glow, you won't want to miss out on this one as it unveils a natural-looking radiance after every use.

The Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturiser isn’t loaded with any old peptide (of which there are many), it contains three specific forms that all work in the same layer of the skin to boost collagen production for plumper and stronger skin.

Alongside peptides, it contains bio-fermented hyaluronic acid – and, yes, that means something special. The fermentation process shrinks the molecular size of the hyaluronic acid to provide surface-level hydration, while also getting deeper into the layers of the skin.

As for the texture? Cooling and gel-like. It slips over your skin leaving a hydrated and radiant complexion behind. Yum.

For less than the price of your Friday night takeaway, this high-street moisturiser will deliver enough hydration to soothe even the driest complexions.

It’s packed with barrier-supporting ceramides and moisture-binding hyaluronic acid, and is totally fragrance free. It might not be sexy, but it sure delivers results.

Medik8's Advanced Night Restore cream is a tried-and-tested fave amongst the Cosmo gang.

It may tip towards the pricey side, but the results are worth every penny; the ceramide-packed formula helps to restore the skin's barrier while keeping it hydrated and radiant.

Plus, if you're a stan of the brand's cult Crystal Retinal, this makes the perfect counterpart, reducing any potential irritation from the vitamin A.

Approved by celebs (like Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande), this cream is an industry secret used by MUAs for decades.

Seriously, this multitasker can be used as a primer, face cream and makeup remover. The super creamy formula nourishes dry skin and gives a healthy radiant glow. So, makes sense it has over 12,000 5* reviews on Amazon.

If you're craving glass-skin, Then I Met You is the K-Beauty brand to know. Recently, landing in SpaceNK, we've become huge fans of its entire range for glowing and smooth skin (the Living Cleansing Balm is *chef’s kiss*) but those with dry skin need to check out the Bong 2 Bounce Cream.

What we absolutely love is its bouncy and jelly-like texture that feels comforting on the skin, while loading it up with hydrating ingredients – hi, ceramides, squalane and omega fatty acids. It's also infused with vitamin C to boost your natural glow.

Barrier isn't just a buzzword, especially to Byoma. The Barrier+ Repair Treatment was created to counteract damage (read: dryness and sensitivity) caused by potent actives or retinoid use.

The skin barrier (have we said that enough?) is the outermost layer of the skin, designed to protect the deeper layers from pollution or environmental damage. When this layer becomes compromised – be it through exfoliation, climate or stress – it can open the door to sensitivity.

This rich ointment is loaded with superior restorative ingredients to bring harmony back to a compromised complexion. There's avocado oil to deeply nourish on the surface, while ectoin and squalane provide hydration that lasts the day.

Make ceramides your BFF if you’re dealing with chronic dryness. They’re a form of fatty acid, which can naturally be found in the skin, to keep your skin barrier strong and moisture levels in check.

The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturising Factors and PhytoCeramides is packed full with ceramides to instantly soothe dry, rough spots while hyaluronic acid delivers deep hydration to the lower layers of the skin to ensure all-day moisture.

Formulated with 22% Ceramide Boosters, Simple's Rich Repairing Cream works wonders at relieving dry skin and adding long-lasting hydration.

You only need a pea-sized amount for the formula to work its magic and your skin will be left feeling soft and supple.

This first-of-its kind moisturiser comes from REFY and it's everything we hoped for! Fitted with five cooling metal balls, the moisturiser is inspired by lymphatic drainage and massaging techniques.

As you move the tube over your skin, the moisturiser dispenses the gel-cream that's formulated with peptides, glycerin and provitamin B5. Not only will this support the skin barrier, but it'll leave your face looking snatched and lifted.

Peptides are a great ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine if you have dry skin – and this moisturiser is packed full of them! Essentially, they're chains of amino acids which occur naturally in the skin to create a youthful and plump appearance. They also work wonders for the skin barrier, helping reduce inflammation and dryness.

Not only is this moisturiser brimming with peptides, it also features a silky formula that instantly sinks into the skin and hydrates.

Neutrogena's Hydro Boost gel is a bit of a high-street classic: it's got a very lightweight consistency, feels refreshing on irritation or redness, and does a stellar job at hydrating, plumping and nourishing the skin.

It feels incredibly luxe, but won't make a high-end dent to your bank balance.