This article was first published on 19 December 2022.
Did you know that dry skin is simply skin that produces less sebum compared to normal skin? This means it lacks the oils that it needs to keep moisture locked in. It can appear as having dry patches of skin, pronounced fine lines, and an itching sensation. If you have this skin type, you need to have a routine that addresses this missing link.
What to look for in moisturisers for dry skin
Dry skin needs more hydrating agents for its moisturisers.
Search for ceramides, emollients like squalane and shea butter that fill in the lipid-less gaps in the skin, humectants such as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate that attract moisture, and occlusives that trap moisture like plant-based oils like marula, rosehip and avocado oil.
It's also best to focus on formulas that you won't wash off. Serums, moisturisers, and facial oils are your best friends. If you have to pick one, invest in a good hydrating moisturiser. A moisturiser is a two-for-one deal, where you get your needed hydration and the means to seal it in. The best moisturisers for dry skin typically come in rich creamy textures, but there are some lightweight options that will suit our warm weather too. Here are the best hydrating moisturisers for dry skin that you can get in Singapore.
1. Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturiser
Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturiser. (sephora.sg)
The Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturiser is a lightweight and oil-free moisturiser for dry skin that trains the skin to rehydrate itself with its Auto-Replenishing Technology.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It also contains aloe bio-ferment, hyaluronic acid, and activated aloe water to efficiently hydrate your skin.
You can find it online through Sephora.sg where it's priced at SGD26 per 15ML, SGD50 per 30ML, and SGD78 per 50ML.
2. Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Moisturiser
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Moisturiser. (biossance.com)
Prefer something richer? Pick up the Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Moisturiser. It’s formulated with omega fatty acids, ceramides, and plant sterols that feed your skin with ample nourishment and smooth out any rough texture and fine lines in the process.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It has sugarcane-derived squalane, a plant-based alternative to squalene that's just as good at strengthening the skin barrier and retaining moisture.
Head over to Sephora.sg to get it for SGD93 per 50ML.
3. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
For eczema-prone skin that’s in dire need of soothing and moisture, look to the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. This all-over moisturiser has colloidal oatmeal, stearic acid, glycerin, squalane, ceramides, and allantoin to moisturise and soothe your irritated complexion.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It soothes dryness and eczema with its rich formula, but also gently exfoliates dry flakes for a smoother skin texture.
You can find this dry skin holy grail on Sephora.sg for SGD21 per 56.7ML, SGD57 per 170ML, and SGD69 per 226ML.
4. Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream. (sephora.sg)
If your skin is practically calling out an SOS, the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream is the rescue cream moisturiser for dry skin that you need to reach for. It's infused with six African oils (including marula and Kalahari melon) and a plant ceramide complex that reinforces the skin's acid mantle and boosts its defence against everyday stressors.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It's formulated with sodium hyaluronate that provides the hydrating action it needs to relieve dryness.
It's available in our area through Sephora.sg where it's priced at SGD86 per 50ML.
5. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream. (sephora.sg)
The Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream is a popular K-beauty pick among dry-skinned folks. It's designed to reduce itchiness, extreme dryness, and flakiness that comes with having very thirsty skin thanks to its formula that contains ceramides, glycerin, and Pyracantha fortuneana fruit extract.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It has a butter-like texture that helps deliver and lock in the moisturising ingredients deep into your skin.
It's available online through Sephora.sg for SGD63 per 50ML.
6. L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Day Cream
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Day Cream. (watsons.com.sg)
The L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Day Cream is another mid-range anti-ageing moisturiser for dry skin you can consider. It contains micro-hyaluron, which is 50x smaller than the normal hyaluron molecule, which allows it to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin to provide lasting hydration. The result: fewer fine lines and a more plump appearance.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: There's also glycerin in its formula, which is highly recommended for dry skin skincare products.
It's available online through the Watsons Singapore e-store for SGD49.90 per 50ML.
7. Cetaphil Rich Night Cream
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream.
Get the most out of your beauty sleep by applying a rich night moisturiser like the Cetaphil Rich Night Cream. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate your skin as you sleep, bolstering its ability to retain moisture and leaving you with a healthier, brighter complexion.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It also contains olive extract and pro-vitamin A, E and C complex to help fortify and rehydrate your skin.
Head over to Lazada, where it's priced at SGD32.90 per 48ML, to add it to your cart.
8. SENKA Deep Moist Gel Cream
SENKA Deep Moist Gel Cream. (guardian.com.sg)
Say goodbye to flaky skin, dullness, rough texture and fine lines after using the SENKA Deep Moist Gel Cream. This lightweight moisturiser is formulated with NATU-ENCE Formulation™ that helps its ingredients penetrate better into the skin.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It's powered by chestnut rose extract that improves the skin's ability to hold moisture. Its moisturising ingredients include double hyaluronic acid and marine collagen, which effectively boost skin moisture too.
You can find this affordable dry skin moisturiser at Guardian stores and on the Guardian e-store for SGD21.90 per 50ML.
9. d Program Moist Care Emulsion Moisturiser
The d Program Moist Care Emulsion Moisturiser is formulated to lessen symptoms of dry skin from different angles. It soothes inflammation with dipotassium glycyrrhizate, relieves itchiness with mugwort extract, hydrates with super hyaluronic acid, prevents moisture loss with petrolatum, and smooths and brightens your complexion with tranexamic acid.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It also contains yeast extract complex to help repair the skin barrier.
You can find it at Watsons Singapore stores and online for SGD46.90 per 100ML.
10. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Moisturiser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Moisturiser. (watsons.com.sg)
If your skin also feels a little tender from the dryness, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Moisturiser is a good dry skin moisturiser you can turn to. It contains soothing neurosensine and spring water to reduce sensitivity.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: There's hydrating glycerin and moisture barrier-repairing shea butter in it to manage the dryness you're experiencing.
It's available in Watsons stores and online for SGD45.90 per 40ML.
11. SK-II SKINPOWER Cream
SK-II SKINPOWER Cream. (sephora.sg)
The SK-II SKINPOWER Cream is a powerhouse moisturiser for dry, thirsty skin. It’s formulated with InfinitPower Technology — a blend of calla lily extract, quercertin extract and peony extract — that fortifies your skin against barrier-weakening daily stressors. The hydrating and anti-ageing cream also helps maintain your skin’s smoothness, elasticity, and radiance.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It’s powered by SK-II’s PITERA™ that’s rich in vitamins, amino acids and minerals that keep your skin healthy and strong against dryness-causing stressors.
It’s priced at SGD169 per 50ML at Lazada and Sephora.
12. Curél Moisture Cream
Curél Moisture Cream. (watsons.com.sg)
The Curél Moisture Cream is a no-nonsense Japanese moisturiser that promises to improve your skin’s natural barrier function to soothe and protect it from dryness. It has a pleasant light texture that easily absorbs into the skin, leaving it soft and moisturised.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It’s powered by ceramides and eucalyptus extract that are known for their moisturising and soothing properties.
It’s available at Watsons for SGD40.25 per 40G.
13. Sebamed AntiDry Night Intensive Cream
Sebamed AntiDry Night Intensive Cream. (watsons.com.sg)
Give your skin a heavy moisture flooding while you sleep with the Sebamed AntiDry Night Intensive Cream. It’s a low-pH moisturiser formulated to have a pH level of 5.5 that helps your skin heal from the stresses it experiences throughout the day.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It contains phytosterols, jojoba oil and glycerin known to calm and moisturise the skin.
It’s available at Watsons for SGD28.75 per 50ML.
14. Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream. (sephora.sg)
If you have the means to splurge on your skincare, the Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream is a celeb-approved moisturiser that you can try. It’s powered by proprietary TFC8®, a blend of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and synthesised molecules that guide the skin-loving nutrients to firm up and nourish the skin.
It’s a dry skin saviour because: It’s infused with argan, avocado, and evening primrose oils that deliver soothing fatty acids, antioxidants, and linoleic acid to your thirsty skin.
It’s available at Sephora for SGD140 per 15ML, SGD275 per 30ML, and SGD440 per 50ML.
Check out these body moisturisers so your skin is nourished from head to toe.
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