Choosing which brand to trust when it comes to skincare is tough, but it’s even tougher when you have dry skin. Your skin is already irritated, flaky and perhaps doesn’t absorb products very well. What’s more, products made for dry skin can often be thick, uncomfortable and leave an oily residue.
Luckily, there are some brands out there with products that heal, hydrate and restore comfort to very dry skin. But where do you start? We’ve got you covered.
Here at Face Dr, we’ve treated hundreds of clients with a range of skincare concerns, and dry skin is one of them. Our team of experts know how hard it is finding a skincare brand you trust. Here, we’ve brought together the best skincare brands out there for very dry skin, so you buy with confidence.
Want to get tailored recommendations for your exact skin type and level of dryness? We offer free online skincare consultations where you can get just that. One of our experts can analyse your skin and recommend the best brand out there for you—plus which products to try.
Here are the brands we recommend for dry skin:
- ZO Skin Health
- Obagi Medical
- SkinCeuticals
- iS Clinical
- La Roche Posay
- Paula’s Choice
Want to find out more about dry skin? We’ve covered the best in-clinic treatments and how much treating dry skin will cost.
What is dry skin?
Before we dive into the best brands for dry skin, how do you know if you have it? Dry skin can appear in a variety of ways. It can look red, flaky and dull, feel tight after cleansing, itchy or have rough and dry patches.
A few common causes include:
- Extreme weather conditions—like cold temperatures, dry air or wind
- Heat—from hot showers and central heating
- A reaction to skincare or make-up products
- Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
- Health conditions like diabetes or hypothyroidism
For more severe cases, it can be good to speak with a GP who can assess if you need treatment beyond skincare and the best course of action. If you’re not sure if your dry skin is something to worry about, you can book a free online skincare consultation with our skin experts who can help.
What are the best skincare brands for dry skin?
Now, onto our favourite skincare brands for dry skin. All of these brands have dedicated products designed with dry skin in mind and use gentle yet hydrating ingredients. You can find everyday essentials, like cleansers and moisturisers, as well as targeted treatments, like serums and masks.
ZO Skin Health uses pharmaceutical-grade ingredients to deliver powerful hydration to very dry skin. Their cleanser removes dirt, oil and make-up without stripping the skin of its natural oils. The moisturiser is perfect for those with eczema or severe dry skin that doesn’t seem to respond to products you’ve tried in the past. The powerful yet lightweight cream works to reduce inflammation, irritation and discomfort to restore a hydrated balanced skin.
Product to try: ZO Skin Health Hydrating Cleanser
Prices start from: ZO stockists can’t share product prices online. Get in touch at hello@myfacedr.com to find out more about this brand.
Obagi Medical
Obagi Medical has been voted the #1 physician dispensed skincare brand in the world, providing professional products that improve skin function at a cellular level. Obagi have created a range of systems or kits for specific skincare concerns including sun damage, dull skin, fine lines, acne and pigmentation. Their skin systems include Obagi Nu-Derm®, ELASTIderm®, Professional-C®, CLENZIderm M.D.® and more.
Obagi Medical is a leading skincare brand that has been helping people achieve healthy, radiant skin for over 35 years. Founded by renowned dermatologist Dr. Obagi, the company is dedicated to developing innovative, science-based skincare products that deliver real results.
One of the things that sets Obagi Medical apart from other skincare brands is its commitment to using high-quality, medical-grade ingredients in all of its products. This includes powerful antioxidants like Vitamin C and E, as well as retinol, which is known for its ability to stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Prices start from £38
SkinCeuticals have moisturisers for soothing dry skin and serums designed to deliver a noticeable hydration boost. As well as products for dry and dehydrated skin, SkinCeuticals has a whole range of products with hyaluronic acid, the go-to ingredient for boosting skin’s moisture levels. Ingredients like glycerin and botanical extracts, like orange peel oil and thyme flower, work to hydrate, calm and promote healing. To give the brand a try, you can also buy a trial kit which includes a cleanser, a Vitamin C serum, a hyaluronic acid serum and a sunscreen.
Product to try: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque
Prices start from: £60
iS Clinical has products designed especially for dry skin including a moisturiser, mask and serum. The brand’s products penetrate the skin to heal dryness from deep within, while also working to repair the natural moisture barrier. The mask, for example, uses botanical ingredients like rosemary leaf oil, aloe vera and green tea to soothe irritated and dry skin. It has a cooling sensation for immediate relief and promotes healing for long-term results.
Product to try: iS Clinical Hydra-Intensive Cooling Mask
Prices start from: £70
La Roche Posay is known for its products that can tackle many skincare concerns, but did you know it also has dedicated products for dry and dehydrated skin? The brand has serums, cleansers, moisturisers, and even sunscreens designed to be gentle and moisturising at the same time. Some products also help to restore the skin’s moisture barrier, decreasing its sensitivity and dryness over time.
Product to try: Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Prices start from: £38
From a softening cleanser to an antioxidant-rich serum, Paula’s Choice has plenty of products for those with extra dry skin. Their clinical ultra-rich moisturiser, for example, is designed for those with dry to very dry skin. It provides immediate relief to uncomfortable skin with ingredients like shea butter and olive oil, and hydrates from within leaving a glowing hydrated complexion on the surface. The brand even has an AHA exfoliator that they say is suitable for those with dry skin.
Product to try: Clinical Ultra-Rich Moisturiser
Prices start from: £32
How to get started
Now you know a few of our favourite brands for dry skin, it’s time to decide which one is for you. But that’s easier said than done. We know choosing products for dry skin can be tricky, as you don’t want to aggravate already sensitive skin and make it dryer, but that’s where we can help.
Here at Face Dr, we have a team of skin experts on hand to give you tailored advice. You can book a free online skincare consultation and a member of our team will analyse your skin, give you recommendations for things to do and products to try, and we can also refer you to a GP if we think your dry skin needs more serious attention.
Beyond our favourite brands, we’ll share the exact products we think you should be using that could make all the difference to the look and feel of your skin. Plus, if you have any other concerns beyond dry skin—like ageing, acne or hyperpigmentation—we can recommend the best brands and products to tackle those too.
We only ever recommend brands we know and trust, so you know you’ll be spending your money and time on products that can actually help dry skin—and beyond!
