Dr. Tina Alster, M.D., is one of the most celebrated dermatologists in the nation, so when she speaks skin care, people listen. According to Dr. Alster, using a moisturizer is key in keeping dry skin soft, healthy and hydrated. While dry skin can affect individuals year round, it often hits us harder in the wintry season. Why does your skin suffer more in winter, or colder climates? Dr. Alster explains, “The onset of winter weather brings dry skin on, due to the cold windy weather conditions, and hot forced air from heating systems.”
When your skin meets up with the harshness of your environment, such as weather, cleaning products, or common household dust, you can be left with unsightly dry, flaky, and inflamed skin. Dry, cracked skin is not only unpleasant to experience and observe, it also provides a way in for dangerous bacteria and germs. In order to remedy the situation, dermatologists recommend regular applications of a high quality moisturizer.
When you properly moisturize your skin using one of the products we have listed in our review, your skin will remain naturally hydrated, leaving it looking plump and supple. When your epidermis comes in contact with the elements, it loses water content, and can become tender, red, dry and itchy. Your complexion will suffer, losing its youthful radiant glow, and become dull, patchy and lifeless.
Also, if your skin is dehydrated, expect it to also have a higher oil content. This is due to your skin trying to compensate for the lack of moisture in the epidermis, so your oil glands take up the slack and create more oil as a form of lubrication. As you can imagine, this can be aggravating, especially for those who suffer from acne, as excess oil makes the condition much more problematic. If you suffer from acne and wish to properly apply your moisturizer, do it in the proper order. According to Dr. Imahiyerobo-Ip, “…if your have acne and are using any acne medicine, your general A.M. routine would be like this: wash, medicine, moisturizer with sunscreen.”
Finally, regular skin care involving application of high quality moisturizers is very important, and cannot be substituted with oil. While it is true that oil can moisten your skin, and many people do apply oils such as olive to their skin, it is not as beneficial as a moisturizer. According to Dr. Lily Talakoub, M.D., “Moisturizers contain humectant ingredients that draw water molecules into the skin, while oil-based products contain emollient ingredients that merely treat the skin on a surface level.” Because of this, Dr. Talakoub believes one should apply the oil after you apply your moisturizer.
What’s The Best Body Lotion For Dry Skin?
When going over our review for the best dry skin moisturizers, in order to get the most benefit from the dry skin care product of your choice, pay attention to your own, particular skin needs. According to Joshua Zeichner, M.D., of Mount Siani Hospital, this should be one of your top concerns, “With so many products on the market, you can select the ideal formulation for your preference–gel, creams, lotions, ointments, and foams can all be effective”.
Always remember, to get the most out of your moisturizer, to apply it to damp skin. For instance, one of the best times to apply your favorite moisturizer is when you come out of the shower. Your pores are open, and penetration and absorption of your creams is that much more simpler and effective. Be gentle in your application, softly massaging your moisturizer into your skin, using light, circular motions. All of the products listed in our review of the top 5 dry skin care lotions, are rated highly with customers, come from reputable companies, and offer you a dependable and reliable solution for your dry skin care needs.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin
For the best in affordable skin care products, you know you can trust always Aveeno to deliver a high quality dry skin care lotion, and Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion for dry skin is no exception. Men and women have been using oatmeal to help soothe dry, cracked skin since 2000 B.C. and Aveeno has harnessed the power of oat grains, and created a formula using Colloidal Oatmeal. Colloidal Oatmeal is the result of finely ground oats, which are then boiled to create an ingredient which helps to balance your skins natural PH, as well as lock in valuable moisture.
Aveeno has put it’s product to the test by having their paraben and fragrance-free moisturizing lotion undergo multiple clinical trials to ensure that your skin will emerge soft and supple after each use. Indeed, clients have stated that their skin feels less dry after just one application of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, with noticeable improvement occurring within 2 weeks of regular use. Being non-comedogenic, you can use it on a regular basis, without concern that it will clog your pores.
- Formulated with Colloidal Oatmeal
- Non-greasy, non-comedogenic
- Undergone multiple clinical trials
- Paraben and fragrance-free
- Some may find it works well on as a full body moisturizer, but may irritate the face
- Some users may find that it leaves an oily residue on their skin
Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin therapy Lotion
If you’re suffering from dry, scaly, red and itchy skin and desperately seeking relief, let Gold Bond grant you the pleasure of soft, smooth, fresh, hydrated skin. You’ll find that when applied, their lotion has a nice, rich, and thick texture, which easily absorbs into your skin, deeply moisturizing as it heals unsightly redness and painful cracks. Gold Bond’s Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion works to plump and nourish your skin with its unique blend of 3 vital vitamins, A, C and E, along with 7 deep moisturizers.
This hypoallergenic, fragrance-free lotion by Gold Bond absorbs quickly, leaving you with the smooth supple skin you deserve, so be sure to carry some with you on cold, wintry days. What makes this dry skin lotion such a favorite with users? It’s Hydralast. Hydralast is Gold Bond’s own, patented combination of healing emollients and humectants, which work to pull moisture from the surrounding air, so it can be absorbed into your skin. So, if your skin requires a powerful, dependable and reliable solution for dry, unmanageable skin, Gold Bond Ultimate with Aloe will work quite nicely.
- Fragrance-free, non-greasy formula
- Incorporates Hydralast
- Blends vitamins A, C, and E along with Aloe
- Readily and quickly absorbs into your skin
- Some users may find the pump bottle is inconvenient
- While it is listed fragrance-free, some users may find the scent unpleasant
Advanced Clinical's Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream
For years, devotees of coconut oil have professed its powerful and unique benefits in terms of skin care. This sweet smelling, natural oil not only comes with antibacterial and anti-fungal abilities, but is also superb when it comes to nourishing your skin. Coconut oil penetrates quickly and deeply, leaving your skin feeling soft and resilient. So, is it any wonder that Advanced Clinical’s Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream is known as one of the best dry skin care lotions on the market?
Formulated with Coconut oil, chamomile and lavender extract, be prepared to give your dry, parched skin a much needed wake up call, as Aloe Vera partners with glycerin to hydrate your skin, allowing your true beauty to shine through, resulting in a soft, healthy glowing complexion. This moisturizing cream is formulated to be able to be used as a body and face cream, and works especially well on dry elbows, knees and hands. In fact, Advanced Clinical’s Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream is specifically designed to pack a powerful 3 in 1 punch, offering users treatment for dry skin, reducing the signs of aging, and yes, even as a hair conditioner! This product contains natural, organic ingredients and is cruelty-free, which means it has not been tested on animals.
- Formulated with coconut oil
- 3 in 1 cream: Anti-aging properties, moisturizer and hair conditioner
- Contains natural and organic ingredients
- Cruelty-free
- Some may find that the scent reminds them of Coco Butter instead of Coconut oil
Cetaphil Ultra Hydrating Daily Lotion
For those of you who suffer from not only dry skin, but sensitive skin as well, Cetaphil has the perfect lotion for your needs. Cetaphil’s Ultra Hydrating Daily Lotion is designed to provide intense penetration, leaving your skin feeling refreshed, resilient. and nicely hydrated without feeling oily or sticky, for up to 24 hours. Cetaphils Ultra Hydrating Lotion is specially formulated for daily use, and works beautifully for any skin type, as well as for those with sensitive skin.
Whether you’ve come in from the cold and have chapped dry hands, or you suffer from eczema, and require a consistent application of hydrating products, Cetaphil Ultra Hydrating Daily Lotion can definitely make a difference. This fragrance-free, dermatologist recommended lotion is formulated with Epidermal Replenishing Complex, which means that it contains a unique blend of 5 active ingredients which help easy your dry, flaky skin. Suitable for adult, child and infant skin, as well as those suffering from psoriasis who wish to steer clear of products containing hydro cortisone.
- Fragrance-free, non-greasy formula
- Intensive skin penetration
- Provides skin protection for up to 24 hours
- Suitable for all ages
- May cause a break out in some users(after extended use)
- Some may find it leave their skin oily after applications
Lubriderm Advanced Therapy for Extra Dry Skin Lotion
Thick, creamy and rich. That’s most likely the first thing you’ll notice when you crack open a bottle of this gentle, soothing and hydrating skin cream. Indeed, Lubriderm Advanced Therapy for Extra Dry Skin is a lotion specifically created for those of you living those crisp and cold New England-type winters. With this product, Lubriderm has created your perfect, affordable, super-hydrating, unscented “go-to” dry skin care lotion.
Formulated with essential lipids to assist in enhancing your skins natural, protective, you’ll find that this richly textured lotion is easy to apply and work into your skin, without leaving an oily residue behind. Lubriderm’s Advanced Therapy will soothe the ravages of cold weather, eczema or even help to alleviate any itchiness from new tattoos. Clinical tests have proven that Lubriderm Advanced Therapy for Extra Dry Skin relieves dryness, and continues to protect your skin for up to 24 hours. Formulated with vitamins B5 and E goes on smooth, and leaves you with a clean, fresh scent, and contains no fluorides or sulfates.
- Rich, thick texture
- Powerful, long-lasting hydrating lotion
- Helps soothe eczema
- Formulated with vitamins B5 and E
- Some may find it leaves a greasy feel
- May leave an unpleasant odor for some
Conclusion
Having healthy, hydrated and properly moisturized skin is an absolute must when in comes to your overall health and appearance. Dry, flaky, scaly, red skin is not only unsightly, but causes a break with your bodies protective layer. In other words, dry, cracked skin presents a convenient entry-way for bacteria and germs to enter, making your redness worse, and causing you even more itching, inflammation and swelling. We hope our review of the top 5 dry skin care lotions has assisted you in choosing the right skin care product for you. After all, in selecting the perfect dry skin lotion for you, you’ll be able to avert redness and inflammation, and obtain the resilient, firm, and glowing complexion you deserve.