Skincare
The best moisturisers for dry, sensitive skin
6 min read · 8/28/2026
Barrier-first picks that avoid fragrance, essential oils and unnecessary actives.
Dry and sensitive are not the same thing, but they often travel together. Dryness is a lack of oil. Sensitivity is a reactivity to what you put on the skin. The answer to both is usually a shorter ingredient list.\n\nLook for ceramides, glycerin, squalane and panthenol. Skip fragrance, denatured alcohol high in the list, and multiple actives in the same product.
Mentioned in this piece

Medik8
Advanced Night Restore
50ml · 4.6★ (3,900)
Overnight recovery · Barrier repair
Best price
£45.00
£0.900/ml

CeraVe
Moisturising Lotion
355ml · 4.7★ (22,100)
24 hour hydration · Barrier support
Best price
£11.96
£0.034/ml

Noui Collective
Noui Collective Barrier Balm
50ml · 4.5★ (320)
Seals in moisture · Comforts irritated skin
Best price
£21.60
£0.432/ml