These Rich Creams Are Just What Dry Skin Needs Right Now

I'm a dessert person. I like to believe that all people are dessert people, but I've been left rather disappointed at the end of many a meal by dessert refusers. My penchant for sweet, creamy things has translated into beauty, as I spent most of the early 2000s hunting out gourmand fragrances (hello, Britney Spears's Fantasy, £15) and grabbing any body cream that smelled like the inside of a bakery. 

As my age and taste have shifted somewhat, I'm less into vanilla-scented everything, but dessert-textured skincare is where it's at for me. I'm talking dense, thick, whipped cream–like moisturisers. The products with that ever-so-satisfying finger dunk that remind me of a mixing bowl of meringue. 

This isn't only a sensory thing, as these rich creams sure work wonders for moisturising dry skin. They're also quite often the secret to the glow that everyone is constantly seeking. 

Whether your skin has succumbed to winter dryness or you're just looking for a serious moisture upgrade, keep scrolling for the moisturisers for dry skin that you should have on your radar. 

Why should my bedtime face get all of the rich goodness? That's what I asked myself before I got stuck into this jar filled with hydrating marine algae and cocoa butter. It's my go-to for rescuing dry skin in the daytime when the central heating goes on. 

This skin-prepping moisturiser always melts into my skin to boost it from within while managing to keep any irritation and dryness at bay. It's well loved for a reason. 

Look at the clouds and look at this cream. This cream is absolutely everything for sinking deep into my skin to fill it up with moisture. Thanks to the hyaluronic acid that reaches different layers of the skin, this isn't just surface-level moisture. It stays put.

I knew that I'd fall in love with this gentle cream, as the brand's Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk (£22) is one of my all-time favourite cleansers for dry skin. This cream is incredibly soothing and perfect for when my skin is feeling sensitive and in need of nourishing. 

This jelly cream has earned its place in the beauty Hall of Fame, and it's unbeatable for drenching skin with moisture without weighing it down. It's long been a staple in my in-flight beauty routine. 

I am constantly raving about this moisturiser, as it has all of the good stuff that my skin loves. Ceramides and shea butter work a treat to soothe and hydrate my skin. You know that feeling of getting a professional blow-dry? Well, this moisturiser does exactly that, but for my face.

I know that winter is coming when I start to crave this tub of creamy goodness. It's simple and effective and keeps my skin soft. Alongside my weighted blanket and hot water bottle, it's just what I need during this time of the year. 

I'm breaking the rules here. While this is technically a twice-a-week mask, I use it as a stealthy moisturiser when my skin is feeling drier than an unbuttered cream cracker. It repairs the skin's barrier, revitalises, and always makes my skin look like I've had a week of uninterrupted sleep.

This drugstore favourite has saved my skin on so many trips to NYC when my moisturiser ran out or when the air conditioning made my skin wither. It's reliable, and the ceramides keep my skin protected in the harshest conditions. 

Quite often, the luxurious-feeling creams aren't all that great for sensitive skin, nor are the price points all that friendly. But this one covers both areas. I always have a tube of this radiance-promoting cream to hand to alleviate super-dry skin.

Whenever I use this decadent cream, I feel like I'm a cast member of one of the Real Housewives. I already told you how much I love a luxe texture, and this one certainly delivers on that front. When I read "firming" on product packaging, I immediately roll my eyes, but this day cream manages to keep my skin feeling plump, tight, and hydrated.

There's only one face oil on this list, and it's one of the only ones that I rate for giving plenty of hydration. It's instantly soothing and calms irritation thanks to squalane, cannabis sativa seed oil, and adaptogen ashwagandha. 

Hands down, this is one of the best things I've ever had the pleasure of putting on my face. The brand, which is designed to suit the unique skin concerns of women of colour, sure knows how to bring the magic. This divine, buttery balm with moringa, marula, and argan oil is exactly what my skin needs to boost hydration and fade hyperpigmentation. 

Up next, The Best Beauty Advent Calendars You Need to Know About