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10 Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin, According To A-List Facialists

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Palm Angels - Backstage - Milan Men's Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019
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Shopping for a new moisturizer sounds great...until you're actually shopping for a new moisturizer. Walking the aisles of Sephora or Target can feel a little like navigating the wild wild west of skincare, especially when you have dry skin. Dry types often need more attention: You want something hydrating enough to prevent flaking and painfully tight, parched skin. On the flip side, you don't want something that's going to clog your pores or leave you feeling greasy.

Considering not all face creams are created equal, where do you begin? Rather than spend your hard-earned money on products that may or may not work, we roped in some major celebrity facialists for their suggestions on the best moisturizers for dry skin. Ahead, shop the products they use on their A-list clients.

For Acne-Prone Skin

iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion

Reparative Moisture Emulsion
For Acne-Prone Skin

iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion

$95 at Dermstore

Top LA celebrity facialist Gina Mari says, "I always treat my acne-prone clients with hydration." She recommends using Is Clinical's Reparative Moisture Emulsion because it's "great for keeping the skin hydrated without causing future breakouts."

For Acne-Prone Skin

Angela Caglia Detox Serum

Detox Serum
For Acne-Prone Skin

Angela Caglia Detox Serum

Celebrity esthetician Angela Caglia, the skin whisperer behind the glowy complexions of Helena Christensen and Minnie Driver, knows a thing or two about multitasking your skincare routine. For dry skin types that are also prone to breakouts, Caglia recommends her own line's Detox Serum. "It's made of hyaluronic acid to hydrate, chlorophyll to oxygenate the cells, and tea tree oil to help with breakouts." She adds, "It's perfect to replace your moisturizer in the summer for acne-prone skin."

For Under Makeup

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

The Dewy Skin Cream
For Under Makeup

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

Yolanda Mata, better known by her Instagram handle, Yoli Glo, is sought after by YouTube stars like Patrick Starrr and Desi Perkins.  She recommends prepping skin for makeup with Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream, saying, "it's a deeply hydrating formula that glides onto the skin providing nourishment and hydration, while the Japanese purple rice leaves the skin glowing, protected, and prepared for smooth makeup application." She also adds, "it's something no one should live without, worth every penny." Consider us sold.

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For Under Makeup

Sanitas Balancing Moisturizer

Balancing Moisturizer
For Under Makeup

Sanitas Balancing Moisturizer

If you're looking for pre-makeup hydration, Gina Mari suggests Sanitas Balancing Moisturizer. She explains, "it contains niacinamide (B3), a powerful vitamin that promotes healthy cell function. It also leaves the skin with a matte finish for consumers who don't want to look shiny or greasy."

For Extra Hydration

Koh Gen Do Macro Vintage T3 Premium Oil

Koh Gen Do Macro Vintage T3 Premium Oil
For Extra Hydration

Koh Gen Do Macro Vintage T3 Premium Oil

Now 50% Off

If your skin is feeling extra dry (even more than usual), Tokyo-based Koh Gen Do brand director and celebrity esthetician Megumi Setoguchi, recommends upgrading your go-to moisturizer. She suggests adding one to two drops of the Koh Gen Do T3 Premium Oil to your daily face cream. "Its light, water-like consistency easily penetrates dry, hardened surface skin and supports the hydration from within to bring suppleness," she says. "During the dry winter months, I apply it over my makeup, even on hair and the body—it gives skin a beautiful glow."

For Extra Hydration

Nurse Jamie EGF Stem Cell Complex

EGF Stem Cell Complex
For Extra Hydration

Nurse Jamie EGF Stem Cell Complex

Nurse Jamie, the celebrity skin expert behind big names like Lea Michelle, Jessica Alba, and Lisa Rinna, among many others, recommends a fan favorite for super dry complexions. She says her namesake Nurse Jamie EGF Botanical Complex "provides intense hydration with hyaluronic acid and epidermal growth factor to increase cell renewal." Finally, added shea butter also helps lock in hydration. Nurse Jamie says, "I love the stuff; I'd bathe in it if I could!"

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For a Natural Formula

Burt's Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream

Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream
For a Natural Formula

Burt's Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream

Now 20% Off

If you prefer to pick up your moisturizer on your next Target run, Caglia suggests you load up on Burt's Bees' Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream. Packed with rice and cotton extract, and soothing aloe, this formula provides tons of hydration without the addition of harsh irritants. Caglia adds, "this moisturizer is great for all skin types."

For a Natural Formula

Angela Caglia Soufflé Moisturizer

Soufflé Moisturizer
For a Natural Formula

Angela Caglia Soufflé Moisturizer

If natural ingredients are an essential detail in your skincare selection, Caglia recommends giving her own Soufflé Moisturizer a try. "The texture is light, and it's filled with the most soothing and brightening ingredients, like goat's milk and essential fatty acids," she says. But even if natural products aren't your priority, she boasts the formula "will convert a long time La Mer user after one application."

For a Splurge

Amore Pacific Time Response Skin Reserve Gel Crème

Time Response Skin Reserve Gel Crème
For a Splurge

Amore Pacific Time Response Skin Reserve Gel Crème

Now 11% Off

Mari says, "for the ultimate splurge, I love Amore Pacific's Time Response Skin Reserve Gel Creme." At a whopping $450 for a 50ml jar, it's a splurge, indeed. She describes it as "a gel texture that's really lightweight and the 24-hour release formula leaves the skin hydrated for hours." As it turns out, you really can put a price on amazing skin.

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For a Splurge

La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream

The Moisturizing Soft Cream
For a Splurge

La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream

La Mer's The Moisturizing Soft Cream is, without a doubt, a cult-favorite in the beauty world. Nurse Jamie suggests it's worth every penny saying, "incredibly light," and not just light, "basically weightless, but really great for dry skin types since it is super replenishing." And it's a good thing it gets her stamp of approval because, at $335 for a 60ml jar, it's definitely a commitment.

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