We all like those nice warm and sunny days, but what we don’t like is what it comes with: heat and the muggy weather. The increased exposure to the sun also dries out skin, which is a struggle that people with already dry skin deal with on the daily. But in hot weather, applying a thick layer of moisturizer is a big no-no. Not applying anything is also a terrible idea. This is a time when you need to whip out the best gel moisturizers for dry skin that you can find.
Gel moisturizers are excellent products to use to make your skin feel refreshed, glowing, and hydrated, without any of that heavy and sticky residue that a regular, heavier moisturizer leaves behind.
Another significant advantage of using a gel moisturizer is that it can be worn as a base under makeup to get a bright and dewy look.
So, if you’re searching for a good choice for best gel moisturizer that’ll help your dry skin, you’ve come to the right place.
Table of Contents
- Best Gel Moisturizers for People with Dry Skin
- What to look for in a gel moisturizer for dry skin?
- Best Gel Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Extra Hydration and Care
Best Gel Moisturizers for People with Dry Skin
To help you with your search, we suggest these amazing gel moisturizers that come with several benefits that would help dry skin stay moisturized:
- Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel Cream
- Hanalei Aloe Soothing Gel
- C&C by Clean & Clear Don’t Flake Gel Moisturizer
- Olay, Age Defying Advanced Gel Cream Moisturizer
- Paula’s Choice SKIN BALANCING Invisible Finish Gel Moisturizer
- HoneySkin Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Gel
- Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream
Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel Cream
Moisturizer Highlights
- Absorbs easily
- Free from dyes, oils, and fragrance
- Does not clog the pores
- Ideal for most skin types
- Needs reapplication after a couple of hours
Moisturizer for Dry Skin Features
One of the main reasons why the Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel Cream is so popular is because it’s packed with hyaluronic acid. This acts as a small sponge that absorbs and holds on to water to give your dry skin a high level of moisture.
Hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient used in many top beauty products due to its high hydration benefits. Aside from hyaluronic acid, this gel also includes glycerin and dimethicone. These two combined will leave your skin feeling smoother, healthier, and much more supple.
While gel moisturizers are typically used for dry skin types, people with acne-prone and sensitive skin, and even oily skin can benefit from this gel moisturizer as well. This is because this cream is non-comedogenic, which means that it is designed not to clog pores.
Furthermore, it is free from any types of dye, oils, and fragrances. You can rest assured that you will have no worries of any kind of skin irritation or breakouts from this moisturizer. The consistency of the gel is quite pleasant and is pretty much weightless, which means that you can use it under your makeup.
The gel comes in beautiful packaging, and smells great too!
Want to learn more before committing to this pick for best gel moisturizer? Check out our review of the Neutrogena Gel Cream!
Hanalei Aloe Soothing Gel
Moisturizer Highlights
- Made from natural ingredients
- Aloe vera works great to soothe skin
- Contains a mix of papaya and aloe enzyme
- Takes a while to blend into the skin fully
Moisturizer for Dry Skin Features
If you’re looking for something pure and more natural, then we would recommend you try using the Hanalei Aloe Soothing Gel.
Hanalei Company was founded by Alice Kim in 2015. Kim drew the brand’s inspiration from Hawaii and its diverse ecosystems, rich culture, and native plants. Her goal is to bring the experience of Hawaiian beauty everywhere through restorative and simple skin care.
All of this brand’s skin products are made from the island’s ingredients, such as aloe, lavender, papaya, pressed kukui nut oil, and more. With this gel moisturizer, you will be able to embrace rich Hawaiian beauty traditions.
One of the main ingredients in this gel is aloe vera. This ingredient is well-known all over the world and is believed to organically contain natural regenerative properties that help in balancing uneven skin tone and the appearance of redness. This soothing gel is a proprietary mix of aloe vera and papaya enzyme that is infused with vitamins A, C, and E.
In addition to moisturizing, it will also cool down your skin without giving it a greasy texture.
Due to its lightweight formula, the gel cream also works great as base for makeup and will keep your skin supple all day long.
You can be assured that this gel cream for dry skin is completely free from phthalates and parabens. It is also cruelty-free.
C&C by Clean & Clear Don’t Flake Gel Moisturizer
Moisturizer Highlights
- Water-based gel moisturizer
- Gets easily absorbed by the skin
- Gluten-free and vegan-friendly
- Also ideal for oily skin, not just dry skin
- Doesn’t last too long
Moisturizer for Dry Skin Features
C&C by Clean & Clear is a relatively new brand that sells products for both women and men. Their products have attractive black packaging and stand out for their catchy names.
Available in a pack of one or two, the Don’t Flake Gel Moisturizer is an oil-free cream that will particularly benefit people with dry skin. This gel moisturizer is ultra lightweight and helps in hydrating the skin almost immediately. It is excellent in preventing flaking and dryness and will leave your skin feeling fresh and soft. This gel moisturizer gets absorbed by the skin almost instantly and will replenish all the moisture that is lost. It is water-based and free from fragrance as well.
While this moisturizer is targeted mainly for people with dry skin, people with oily skin can also benefit from this moisturizer without the fear of your pores getting clogged.
What’s more, the Don’t Flake Gel Moisturizer is not tested on animals. It is also completely gluten-free, oil-free, sulfate-free, soy-free, and is also vegan-friendly. This gel moisturizer for dry skin is also our pick for best gel moisturizer for oily skin.
Olay, Age Defying Advanced Gel Cream Moisturizer
Moisturizer Highlights
- Gel cream texture is light and hydrating
- Lasts for 24 hours
- Contains skin-improving hyaluronic acid and vitamins
- No oily residue
- Won’t clog pores
- Can be worn under makeup
- Some people don’t care for the scent
Moisturizer for Dry Skin Features
This next pick for gel moisturizer for dry skin has an advanced formula that isn’t exactly your grandmother’s Oil of Olay.
The Olay Age Defying Advanced Gel Cream Moisturizer delivers intense hydration to dry skin, with a lightweight formula. Oil-free and dermatologist tested, it doesn’t clog pores or leave an oily residue, but it delivers a full 24 hours of hydration. Designed for normal and aging skin, it maintains smooth, moist skin throughout the day, and absorbs quickly enough to be worn beneath makeup.
Enhanced with key anti-aging and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and B3 vitamins, it not only moisturizes, but nourishes and refreshes the skin as well.
Over time, the skin becomes stronger, and better able to retain moisture, for a smoother, fresher glow.
While this gel cream is part of the Olay Age Defying product line, the light weight, fast absorption, and deep, long-lasting hydration are great for any dry, dull skin that needs deep hydration and restoration, no matter what your age.
The Olay Age Defying Advanced Gel Cream Moisturizer is lightly scented with natural honeysuckle flower extract, but the scent dissipates quickly.
Paula’s Choice SKIN BALANCING Invisible Finish Gel Moisturizer
Moisturizer Highlights
- Moisture and non-greasy protection for normal to oily skin types
- Does not clog pores or irritate skin
- Helps to repair sun damage and smooth fine lines and wrinkles
- Evens out skin discolorations
- Refines pores without clogging them
- Free of parabens and artificial fragrances
- Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free
- May exacerbate acne in some skin types
Moisturizer for Dry Skin Features
It can be hard to find a good moisturizer that is light enough for oily skin which is surprisingly a common combination of skin with dry.
Paula’s Choice SKIN BALANCING Invisible Finish Gel Moisturizer has a feather-light formula designed for those who have oily skin or easily clogged pores, so it doesn’t weigh down skin.
It helps to heal, hydrate, and balance even oily, acne-prone skin.
The fragrance-free formula is clinically proven to be non-irritating even for sensitive skin.
This moisturizer is full of ingredients that help protect, illuminate, and re-texturize skin. Full of antioxidants and age-fighting ingredients like niacinamide, which evens out discolorations, refines pores, and reduces fine line and wrinkles. The niacinamide works in partnership with vitamin C to reduce the effects of skin damage from sun exposure, restoring and rejuvenating skin with every application.
Paula’s Choice Invisible Finish Moisture Gel has a famous skin-balancing formula, that provides moisture without shine, refines pores, and protects and restores normal to oily skin without a greasy feel.
Paula’s Choice products are made the US, without parabens or fragrances, and are never tested on animals.
HoneySkin Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Gel
Moisturizer Highlights
- Lightweight and fast-absorbing product
- Simple, natural ingredients that are skin-friendly and cruelty-free
- Does not irritate or inflame skin
- Moisturizes and rejuvenates while healing and protecting
- Can be used on the whole body to improve the scalp, stretch marks, sun damage, and more
- Cruelty-free
- May be too light a formula for very dry skin, and require re-application
Moisturizer for Dry Skin Features
The Honeyskin Aloe Vera Leaf Gel moisturizer soothes, moisturizes, and refreshes skin, and can be used on the face, body, and even the hair and scalp.
The lightweight formula absorbs quickly and penetrates deeply, and can be used as a daily moisturizer or aftershave, or to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
It has anti-aging properties, and can even help to relieve the symptoms of seborrhea, eczema, and psoriasis. It may even help to reduce acne flare-ups.
This Honeyskin Organic Aloe Vera Gel formula is enhanced with natural antioxidants and plant-based stem cells, to provide even more great skin benefits.
Aloe vera is naturally full of antioxidants that improve the skin’s firmness and texture, and fight the visible signs of aging. Aloe vera gel is an amazing natural moisturizer and hydrator, renowned for its ability to heal, smooth, and protect skin. When used on the scalp, it improves circulation and prevents dryness, for healthier scalp and hair. On the skin, it creates a light protective layer that heals existing damage, and helps to prevent new damage. Apple and orchid stem cells also help to protect and renew skin, with a rejuvenating effect. Cucumber helps to cool the skin and reduce inflammation and irritation, while firming and hydrating skin.
Honeyskin Organics is made in the US, with manuka honey imported from New Zealand. Their products are cruelty-free.
Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream
Moisturizer Highlights
- Lightweight formula smooths away tightness and dryness
- Designed for dry skin, gentle enough for sensitive skin
- Does not leave a greasy, sticky feel
- Provides long-lasting hydration
- Some people need to use rather a lot of product, and it only comes in a 1.7 ounce bottle
- Contains propylene glycol, which some people are sensitive to
Moisturizer for Dry Skin Features
Simple Face makes this water boost hydrating gel cream to provide long-lasting hydration to dry, sensitive skin. The light formula absorbs quickly and provides lasting protection from dehydration.
The Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream smooths and refreshes dry skin, without leaving a greasy, sticky texture. It restores supple, silky skin, and fights the signs of dehydration, including dryness, roughness, tightness, dullness, and dry skin lines. In fact, in tests, 90% of people feel that their skin feels revitalized, 85% feel that their skin has comfortable suppleness, and 83% of people feel that this simple gel moisturizer cream leaves their skin feeling hydrated.
The Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream contains minerals and a plant extract to hydrate the skin, but isn’t very transparent about their ingredients. Depending on how dry your skin is, you may find yourself using quite a lot of this product, but it’s relatively affordable, and people with sensitive skin love it so much, that most people don’t find this a problem.
What to look for in a gel moisturizer for dry skin?
First to remember, a good gel moisturizer should blend into your skin very easily.
You don’t want the gel or lotion for dry skin you’re using to stay clumped on goopy on your face, on top of the sweat and humidity that summer brings.
Your choice for best gel moisturizer for dry skin should also last for a long time.
Your skin will be parched and in need of hydration, so you’ll need a hydrating gel moisturizer that will serve that purpose for a good while. The moisturizer you choose should survive the sweat that your body produces, as well as not evaporate on the spot after application.
Best Gel Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Extra Hydration and Care
We’ve shared our picks for best gel moisturizers on the market at present that word really well with dry, flaking, under-hydrated skin! Choosing any one of them will ensure that your skin is well taken care of.
We recommend you give these gel creams a try, especially as summer is just round the corner! Don’t forget to use sunscreen to protect your skin!
Speaking of dry skin, check out our review of best Lancome foundations for dry skin.
What are some of your favorite gel creams that best help out dry skin when it needs it?
Thanks so much, Anissa! Hopefully it works well for you when you try it!
I tend to have dry patches on my face so I would use light, moisturizing creams but I never used a gel moisturizer. I heard of the Neutrogena one so I might look into it. Great post!
Olay is such a classic, affordable brand! Thanks for stopping by, Nancy!
We do, too!
Thanks for the tip, Sophie! And let us know if you can how the Neutrogena one works for you!
Agreed!!
I like Neutrogena ❤
Oooh! I haven’t tried these brands before. I keep hearing great things about Olay. My parents love that brand! Love that these are super affordable options. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy
I love gel moisturizers- they feel so fresh! And any hydration I can give my skin is good!
-Ashley
I have really dry skin and I’ve always preferred a gel moisturiser layered with an oil to a thicker cream. I haven’t tried any of the ones mentioned here but people recommend the Neutrogena one to me all the time. Thanks for the suggestions x