We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

How Do I Choose the Best Cream for Dry Skin?

By K. K. Lowen
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

When choosing a cream for dry skin, you may encounter many options. There are ingredients used in skin creams that you should look for and those you should avoid. Beneficial ingredients include shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamins B5 and E. Selecting a skin cream that will work well for your skin type is also essential.

The first step in choosing cream for dry skin is determining your skin type. Knowing if your skin type is normal, oily, dry, combination, or sensitive is important because various creams are available for different skin types. Many skin creams are available for both dry and sensitive skin types. During the winter months, creams may be particularly useful for all skin types because they may keep skin moist for longer periods of time when compared to lotions or ointments.

Vitamin E and vitamin B5 are common ingredients in cream for dry skin because both make skin healthier. Protecting skin from the effects of drugs, pollution, extreme weather conditions, and ultra violet light are all benefits associated with vitamin E. Dryness, scaling, redness, and itching are all skin issues that can be alleviated by vitamin B5. It hydrates the skin, has anti-inflammatory properties, and can heal acne-wounded or scarred skin. You should have no difficulty finding a skin cream containing these vitamins, but it is still a good idea to check the product’s label to ensure that they are in the list of ingredients.

Other ingredients to look for in a cream for dry skin include shea butter and manuka honey as well as jojoba, grapeseed, and babassu oils. Shea butter preserves skin moisture and prevents drying, and manuka honey has antioxidants and skin-healing enzymes. Jojoba oil moisturizes and nourishes the skin, but it also balances the skin’s natural oils. Grapeseed and babassu oils are both helpful for maintaining skin moisture. You may have trouble finding an inexpensive skin cream with all of these ingredients, but the benefits may be worth the cost.

Some creams for dry skin have additives that you should avoid, including fragrances, dioxanes, parabens, and some alcohols. Many fragrances used in skin cream are chemical-based, and the skin can absorb the chemicals into your body. Dioxanes are a common ingredient in skin lotions and creams, but avoiding them is a good idea because some research has shown that they cause cancer. Parabens are commonly used preservatives that prolong the shelf life of skin care treatments, but they also may cause cancer, interfere with the endocrine system, and could potentially cause allergic reactions and rashes. Alcohols such as ethanol, methanol, and ethyl can cause skin to become dry and irritated.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.