This $22 Face Cream Is Proven to Hydrate Better Than a $400 Cult Fave

If you have dry skin, regular moisturization is crucially important, according to Craig Kraffert, M.D., board certified dermatologist and founder of Dermstore. But it has to be the right moisturizer to actually heal severely dry skin. Dr. Kraffert says richer products — like thicker body creams in place of thinner body lotions — is key for quenching extreme dryness.

When you're super dry, it likely means your skin's barrier has become compromised which can make already-irritated skin feel itchy, uncomfortable and prone to infection. That's why skin hydration is so important. "Think of moisturizers as a shield: You use moisturizers to lock in active ingredients and block harmful aggressors out," says Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and director of dermatologic surgery at Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan. "Moisturizers help to reinforce the skin barrier, making it stronger and less vulnerable," she says. In addition to picking the right product, layering on occlusive products can help lock in moisture and frequent application can help skin’s moisture levels remain balanced, says Dr. Kraffert.

To find the best moisturizers for dry skin, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab tested body lotions and face moisturizers, parsing through nearly 20,000 data points to find the ones that proved to hydrate skin. Other picks are backed by our Good Housekeeping Seal or are reviewer favorites with thousands of rave reviews:

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