13 pharmaceutical face creams - which dermatologists recommend for dry skin, ratings and reviews about pharmaceutical products

Dry skin looks tight, flakes, causes itching, and makeup brings a lot of problems in creating a complexion. The most unpleasant consequence of inaction in treating dry dermis is the appearance of facial wrinkles at any age. To put your skin in proper order, you need complete care, and in this case we are talking about moisturizing and nourishing creams. In the article below, you can choose the perfect treatment for yourself that will instantly transform your dermis.

Cream compositions

What may be included in creams:

• Vitamins A, C, E, B complex vitamins;
• Moisturizers: avocado oil, jojoba, olive;
• Protection against radicals and UV rays: macadamia, grape seeds. Brown algae, passion fruit extract;
• Cynergy TK is a source of collagen. And honey, an excellent skin moisturizer;
• Potassium, which also maintains hydration.

These ingredients are beneficial and essential for maintaining moisture. Now let's look at those that should not be found in cream.

You should not take it if:

• Formaldehyde and propylene glycol;
• Sodium lauryl sulfate and hydroquinone;
• Parabens and aluminum acetate
• Butane, talc, fluoride;
• Glycerin, petroleum jelly and other substances that worsen the condition of the epidermis.

These components dry out the skin even more and interfere with the hydration and breathing of the dermis.

Types of creams, according to what principle they are classified

Since dryness can be an acquired or congenital ability of the skin, creams must be selected in accordance with the problem.

1. A rich and nourishing cream for irritated and dry facial skin: it has a fairly thick composition, protects against cold and wind, and is ideal for use in winter.
2. Moisturizer with UV filter: has a light texture, helps protect the skin from severe sunburn. The degree of protection is determined by the SPF indicator
3. For sensitive epidermis: the product does not contain irritating substances.
4. For dry problem skin: in the presence of anti-inflammatory components (depanthenol), effectively removes acne at any age
5. Rejuvenating, but oily cream for dry skin: temporarily stops the process of reducing epidermal turgor, smoothes wrinkles.
6. Day cream: it forms a protective film against external factors.
7. Night Cream: It promotes the production of collagen and elastin, which will prevent aging.

We take into account factors affecting the skin:

1. Thin epidermis, inherited.
2. Age-related changes after 30 years.
3. Dehydrated surface due to heating, air conditioning, lack of water due to improper drinking regime.

If cells lack moisture, then you need to use moisturizers. If dry skin is inherited, you can use nutritional products. For example, such creams include Nivea.

The products are also divided into night and day products. The night cream is thicker, and the day cream has UV filters. For example, this includes Librederm for dry skin.

How to choose a cream with UV protection

Any skin protection product with UV filters is selected depending on the place where the person is located. If he has fair skin, then it is better to purchase a maximum cream SPF+ 50. For the rest, a cream with filters of 20 and 30 SPF will be enough. This is a universal indicator for sunscreen for every day.

If you are going on vacation at sea, it is better to take a product with the highest protection. The same goes for mountains and hot countries. Since after swimming the protection decreases, it is better to renew it again, and on the beach the cream acts with maximum protection for about 2 hours.

Regardless of skin type, the product applied to the skin should be reapplied every 2 hours to avoid burning. Travelers and those living in hot regions should not forget about the rules for staying in the sun.

Degrees of protection for different photo types

1. Photo type 1, when the skin is almost white, with a lot of freckles. In the sun you need to use SPF 30-50 cream. At sea too, but with weak sun activity, protection of 20 is enough.
2. Photo type 2, the degree of protection is the same as that of type 1, only for low activity, a cream with a 12 degree of protection is sufficient.
3. Photo type 3, with average and strong solar activity, 20-30 SPF is enough, with low solar activity, 12 is enough. People tan well, the skin does not redden.
4. Photo type 4 dark-skinned from birth. Even in strong sun, a cream with SPF 20-30 is enough for them, and on normal days 12-15 is enough.

Don't think that if your skin is dark, you don't need to worry about it. In any case, to save the dermis from drying out, care is needed.

Creams for dry and problematic

To choose the right cream for dry dermis, you must first understand the causes of this phenomenon. If there is redness, flaking of the skin, a feeling of tightness after washing, increased sensitivity, then the skin becomes dry. Most likely, this occurs due to dehydration or due to age-related changes. Solar activity or too aggressive care can also affect it: alcohol tonics, scrubs.

At the same time, the dermis is problematic, which means there are acne. In this case, you need a moisturizer with a light texture so as not to clog the pores. Most often, phyto-creams or serums are used. They are very light and will help moisturize the skin and relieve dryness. If exposed to the sun, use a cream with SPF of at least 30 daily.

Creams for dry and dehydrated skin

With dehydrated skin, all problems begin from the inside. Most likely, the person’s drinking regime is disrupted, or, again, the detergents used to remove makeup are too strong. We exclude alcohol tonics, lotions with acids and restore the lipid barrier. For example, Aqualia Thermal from VICHY will help.

Ingredients such as:

• Aloe;
• Glycerol;
• Vitamin E;
• Ceramides.

When choosing, you should pay attention to ensure that these components are included. Not necessarily all at once.

What can be used for rosacea

Rosacea can also be called rosacea in another way. Dilated vessels on the face do not at all decorate the dermis. The reason may be the sun or severe frost, wind.

What else can cause rosacea:

• Taking medications that dilate blood vessels;
• Stress;
• Allergy;
• Preparations containing alcohol, acetone for skin care;
• High and low air humidity, sauna;
• Physical exercise.

Cuperosis is a systemic vascular pathology, manifested in redness of areas of the facial skin and “patterns” of dilated capillaries appearing through it.

It is very difficult to remove this phenomenon, so you must use special creams. What remedies help against rosacea can be found here.

First of all, it is necessary to exclude alcohol lotions, scrubs, fragrances in creams, as well as menthol, mint and eucalyptus.

Care must be very careful. You can wash your face with warm water; too cold and hot baths are excluded. It is also necessary to properly moisturize the skin with a suitable cream. For example, L'Oreal Trio active ultra hydration. After this, apply sunscreen. This requires special products, and not the usual lotion from the market, so it is better to consult a cosmetologist. Sometimes a cosmetologist prescribes Metrogyl gel or Skinoren, but other remedies may be suggested.

Causes of dryness

In search of possible causes of dry skin, we studied research materials from Acta Biomedica Scientifica, published in the Siberian Biomedical Journal and interviews with cosmetologists, founders of the “star” cosmetology center in Moscow.

The causes of dry skin are not always superficial - more often what we see on the surface of the dermis is a consequence of some processes occurring in the body.

The main causes of dryness of the stratum corneum of the epidermis:

1. Using low-quality cosmetics or improper preparation for applying them.
2. Skin diseases - eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc., they lead to disruption of the integrity of the protective layer and loss of moisture as a consequence.
3. Improper care - using inappropriate cleansers, creams, or the absence of them and frequent washing with hard water.
4. Age-related changes associated with hormonal levels, decreased lipid synthesis, impaired hydration of the stratum corneum as a consequence of deterioration of microcirculation of moisture in the dermis.
5. Taking medications, in particular glucocorticosteroids, which have a destructive effect on the upper layer of the skin.
6. Somatic diseases - diabetes, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and other pathologies of internal organs also lead to dry skin.
7. Genetic predisposition or congenital pathologies that cannot be treated are various genodermatoses.
8. Dry indoor air during the heating season and outdoor air during the hot summer can also provoke drying of the stratum corneum.

All these reasons affect the condition of the mentioned stratum corneum, which itself contains some moisture. Normally, cells produce fat (sebum), which provides natural hydration. The above reasons can affect the mantle and disrupt its functioning, the amount of moisture in the cells decreases, as a result, the protective layer of the skin deteriorates, it becomes permeable to viruses and toxins. If you do not start treating the resulting dryness in a timely manner, you can develop chronic diseases of the epidermis, inflammation, hypersensitivity, irritation at rest and during manipulation - washing, applying cosmetics, etc.

Treatment

The principles of treatment and care for dry skin were discussed in the author’s column buro247. According to them, it is necessary to moisturize the epidermis in all cases, even when the cause of the condition is a consequence of the work of internal organs, taking medications and other unobvious factors.

Humidifiers are divided into 2 types:

1. Hydrophilic ones are designed to retain moisture in the upper layer of the skin, that is, only in the protective mantle.
2. Hydrophobic or occlusive form a membrane on the surface of the dermis that limits the evaporation of moisture. They also eliminate itching, inflammation, are suitable for emergency intervention, and are used for rehabilitation therapy after injuries, treatment, and peeling.

The protective skin barrier is generally permeable to hydrophobes, so in care and therapy it is better to give preference to the second group of moisturizers. However, with all their advantages, they do not act on the cause of dryness. Occlusive components include mineral and vegetable oils, silicones, waxes and animal fats.

In 2003, Peter Egra and Roderick MacKinnon received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the unique substances aquaporins, a new generation of drugs for the treatment of dry skin, which are proteins that transport water into the cell.

Among the many active ingredients for moisturizing, the cosmetologist, after conducting a comprehensive examination of the skin and familiarizing himself with the results of diagnostics of the body, will prescribe measures and medications for the treatment of the epidermis. Only a specialist will be able to correctly combine active substances and combine them within one therapy, because not all substances are compatible and can complement each other.

Tips from cosmetologists

Some tips for caring for dry skin:

1. Be careful when peeling at home - no matter how gentle it is, peeling substances do not contain enough moisturizing substances, and abrasives injure the skin.
2. Do not use mono-oils - in their pure form, they mostly dry out the skin. Plant oils are good if they are mixed with other components, for example, in a cream.
3. Avoid creamy powders and foundations - they tend to draw moisture from the upper layer of the skin.
4. Eliminate cleansers from your care, use regular soap without fragrance, and after cleansing, apply a nourishing cream to your skin, not a moisturizer.
5. Take flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil internally - they improve the condition of the skin from the inside, saturating it with vitamins and omega acids.
6. Make masks 2 times a week. Use special nutritional formulations or prepare a mixture of yolk, white grapes, sour cream and a couple of drops of peach/apricot oil.

TOP best

Anyone who has already tested creams for dry skin has probably compiled a top list of the best ones. These are excellent tools that have proven themselves among many.

It is best to purchase products at a pharmacy, since this is where they sell cosmetics that are tested in laboratories and their effect is clinically proven.

Avene Moisturizing Sunscreen Hydrance Optimale UV Rich SPF 20

The cream contains thermal water, which not only soothes the skin, but also relieves irritation. The upper layers of the epidermis are moisturized. In addition, the cream protects the dermis from photoaging and has sun filters 20. Ceramides and fatty acids help prevent moisture loss. Tocopherol, which is included in the composition, moisturizes and protects against antioxidants.

Suitable for dry and sensitive skin. Apply in the morning after cleansing the skin.

Librederm for dry skin with hyaluronic acid

This cream has a high content of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural skin moisturizer. It also stimulates the formation of collagen and elastin, which helps rejuvenate the dermis. Contains camelina oil, which contains vitamin F and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Helps skin cellular metabolism.

The cream also contains pomegranate concentrate, which moisturizes, rejuvenates and stimulates collagen formation. The face becomes fresh and acquires a beautiful color. A convenient dispenser on the bottle allows you to apply the product sparingly. What other Librederm creams are available can be found at the link.

Librederm for dry skin with hyaluronic acid can be used both in the morning and at night, as it has a very light texture and does not clog pores.

D-panthenol

This product is used to protect the skin from external influences and tissue regeneration. Panthenol can be applied in the form of an ointment, spray, cream or lotion. It is well absorbed into the surface without leaving a greasy film.

The composition includes dexpanthenol, which moisturizes and retains moisture inside the dermis, liquid paraffin or lanolin.

In addition, the cream contains:

• Provitamin B5 helps collagen formation;
• Vitamin E – accelerates the development of epithelium;
• Various oils that relieve tightness and flaking of the skin.

The product is applied 1 to 3 times a day, depending on the indications. After a while, you can wipe your face with tonic if your skin feels oily. The course of use should not exceed 7 days, otherwise the dermis will get used to it.

The cream has contraindications: age under 18 years, renal failure, herpes, allergies to components, low-grade fever. How to use Bepanthen Derma cream for very dry skin is described here.

L'Oreal "Trio active ultra hydration"

The jar of cream states that this product moisturizes, protects and gives radiance. Contains panthenol, glycerin and other components that help retain moisture inside. Based on reviews, it is clear that the product is very light and perfectly moisturizes normal and combination skin. But for dry skin, more intense products are needed. Contains SPF filters, can be used day or night, as the texture is delicate and absorbs quickly . It doesn’t add shine, so you shouldn’t expect it from this cream.

It is more suitable for summer, as it does not run or crease on the skin, but does not mattify either.

Price 300 rubles.

Bioderma Atoderm

The cream is designed to moisturize and protect dry skin of the face and body. Can be used after PUVA therapy. If you want to get a more pronounced moisturizing effect, then the cream should be applied to damp facial skin.

The cream helps retain moisture in the epidermis, serves as protection against free radicals, and strengthens the dermis. Among the advantages, it can be noted that the cream does not clog pores and does not contain fragrances. Disadvantages: dense texture, should not be used during the day as the skin is shiny. The prices are quite high.

NIVEA daily moisturizer for dry skin

Nivea moisturizing cream is suitable for dry facial skin, eliminates flaking and tightness. It is a little heavy for combination, normal or oily skin. It is absorbed quickly, the dermis is moisturized, can be applied under makeup, and does not crease. More suitable for winter use, like all creams from NIVEA. It has a light aroma, protects from the sun, and costs between 200-250 rubles. Nourishes and moisturizes, but is not suitable for everyone.

Cream “Cerat” from Uriage

This product is intended for very dry skin prone to atopy. Among the advantages, it can be noted that the product maintains the balance of the microflora of the dermis, strengthens and restores the skin barrier, accelerates healing, and relieves inflammation. A hypoallergenic product without fragrances, it is expensive, at least 1,750 rubles or more. It is recommended to apply 1-2 times a day.

Among the advantages, it can be noted: it is perfectly absorbed, quickly relieves dryness and irritation, it contains thermal water and Shea butter. Economical product. The only downside is the price.

The cream costs 2350 rubles.

Clinique Almost Powder Makeup SPF hypoallergenic cream powder

Used to disguise redness. The excellent perspiration and moisture-resistant formula helps keep your makeup looking flawless all day long. Since the formula does not contain fat, the cosmetics of this plan do not cause acne. Suitable for any skin type. The powder can replace foundation, and at the same time perfectly protects the skin from the sun, since it has SPF 15. On the face, the product does not oxidize and does not shine, since the product contains talc.

Does not emphasize skin flaking, the tone is matte and even. Powder helps you do without foundation. Apply dry with a brush or wet with a sponge. In the second case, the coverage is much more noticeable, but in any case blends well with the skin tone. The product does not collect in wrinkles and remains matte for at least 5 hours. There is one minus - the cost is at least 2900 rubles.

Day care cream “Neovadiol GF” Vichy

Perhaps the best of the proposed line of products, which has a very reasonable price and excellent quality. Recommended for women during menopause, but it is also used by other age groups. Helps restore elasticity to the dermis and eliminate wrinkles, slows down aging. Polysaccharides increase elasticity, and a growth stimulator helps build collagen fibers. Thermal water relieves inflammation and tightness. Calming, strengthening and restorative effect. Absorbs quickly upon application. It is recommended to use 1-2 times a day.

The skin becomes soft, well-groomed, and changes literally before our eyes. The cost is around 2500 rubles, which makes the purchase affordable.

Hydration for every skin type

Methods for moisturizing facial skin vary depending on the type. To determine it, look at your face without makeup in good light.

• If there are slight peelings and wrinkles around the eyes and lips, tightness and irritation, the skin is dry.
• If you can clearly see pores, inflammation, and your skin shines when you change the angle, you have an oily type.
• If all this appears only in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), the type is combined.
• If the face glows and seems healthy, and there is no inflammation, the skin is normal.

Another option to find out your skin type is to cleanse it with a cleanser, then wait a few hours and rub a thin paper napkin over your face. Pronounced spots indicate oily skin, and if traces appear in the T-zone, it indicates combination skin. If there are no marks at all, the skin is dry. Small discharge indicates a normal type.

Budget creams for dry skin

Budget creams can also be used to moisturize facial skin. However, you shouldn’t expect anything supernatural from them either. Most often, they moisturize the skin quite well, but they are also not worth eliminating itching, flaking, or redness.

Garnier Invigorating Hydration

It is considered suitable for oily and combination skin. However, this is not the case. The cream does not mattify, but shines on the skin, which indicates that it is poorly absorbed. It clogs the pores, which then causes acne. Denatured alcohol in the composition is considered a cooling additive, although, in fact, it can cause an allergic reaction. Among the useful ones are maple extract and green tea, which should accelerate cell renewal and have a powerful antioxidant effect. There is a lot of chemistry in the composition, and quite a heavy one. Although the cream is not expensive, it is not suitable for everyone.

La Roche-Posay Hydreane Extra Riche creme

Quite a budget cream with excellent ingredients. Costs 940 rubles for 40 ml, sold in a pharmacy. Perfectly moisturizes skin that is prone to dryness. Soothes, relieves redness, helps protect the dermis from external influences. Goes great under makeup. This product is more suitable for winter use, but if the skin is too dry, it can be used in summer.

The cream is not suitable for oily skin, since the composition itself is exactly the same and is absorbed into the dermis no earlier than half an hour later . However, there is no feeling of tightness with it, because it contains an excellent moisturizer - thermal water. The entire La Roche series is based on this water. You should not use a lot of product, otherwise pellets will appear on the skin.

Pros: moisturizes, does not leave a greasy film, lasts for a month. Helps even sensitive skin.

Cons: best to use only in winter.

The cost is about 1000 rubles.

Day Phyto-face cream 45+ Pure line

One of the most budget options, stated as an anti-aging cream. Cost from 130 to 170 rubles per jar. The rating is mostly a C, since the product does not perform its stated functions. Arnica and honeysuckle extracts should tighten the skin, remove signs of fatigue, moisturize and create a lifting effect. There is practically no visible effect of lifting and tightening the dermis. More nourishing and moisturizing than other creams in this line.

Bark with argan oil

Kora cosmetics are not sold in every pharmacy, but they have proven themselves to be excellent. The cream is based on thermal water, so the hydration is simply excellent. The cost is quite budgetary: 280-350 rubles. Although it is not suitable for everyone, so you have to find your cream through trial and error.

The consistency of the nourishing cream is quite thick and clogs the pores. Should not be used under makeup. Pros: it really moisturizes perfectly, there is no oily feeling, and it relieves flaking.

Argan Oil Bark contains argan oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, oats, wheat germ and betaine.

Creams popular with authors Cosmetists

Last year, Beautician authors wrote the most reviews about facial moisturizers. Here are the three that have become the most popular and in demand.

Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream

Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream

Official price: $24 for 40 ml (≈ ₽1200-1400 online/offline)

Product for normal and combination sensitive skin. Deeply moisturizes and mattifies the skin, relieves irritated redness thanks to Avene thermal water. Meiboserine in the formula prevents the rapid evaporation of thermal water, and lipomucin helps reliably distribute water over the skin.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Official price: $32 for 50 ml (≈ 2390-2600 online/offline)

A cream based on olive svalan, avocado oil, imperata cylindrical extract and anarcticin intensely moisturizes any skin type, smoothes and protects against free radicals. The dense, pleasant texture is suitable for winter care even at extremely low temperatures.

Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme Hydration Protection Radiance

What should be included in homemade creams?

If desired, you can make a cream for dry skin at home. The composition should include moisturizers, oils to improve nutrition, and vitamins.

Effective humidifiers:

• Jojoba oil;
• Avocado;
• Olive.

In addition, the presence of vitamins A, C, E, and B vitamins is desirable. You can use honey and herbs. If your skin is very sensitive, it is better to use hypoallergenic components. Hyaluronic and glycolic acid will retain moisture, and ceramides will eliminate flaking.

Several recipes for making homemade creams

Complex composition:

• 1 tsp melt lanolin;
• 2 tbsp. l. Wax, heat everything in a water bath;
• 2 tbsp. l. Unrefined olive oil;
• In another bowl, mix 2 grams of borax. with tsp glycerin, add 60 ml. H2O and 2. Tbsp. jasmine oil

Mix both mixtures after heating, cool, and beat. An excellent cream for dry skin that works 24 hours a day.

Cucumber

3 tbsp. Mix cucumber juice with egg yolk. In a water bath, prepare a teaspoon of bee juice and glycerin, add 2 tsp. olive oil. Mix, cool, beat.

Making cream at home is not too difficult, the main thing is to combine the ingredients correctly and not violate the recipe. Lanolin and glycerin are sold in pharmacies, as are oils for facial skin rejuvenation. Try also making a mask with glycerin from the article.

Chamomile

For ½ cup of boiling water, take tbsp. spoon of chamomile, leave for an hour, then add to 2 table. spoons of chamomile infusion, half a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin.

Mix separately tbsp. butter, 1 tsp castor oil, and add 3 drops of geranium, patchouli or orange oil.

After this, mix chamomile with oils and beat. Store in the refrigerator and use within 5 days.

Peach

• 1 tbsp. l. Peach juice;
• 1. Ch. Spoon of melted wax;
• Borax on the tip of the knife;
• 2. tsp. H2O.

Mix everything.

Home-made creams are quite effective, but are not shelf-stable, so if preparing them does not bother you, then you can use homemade products instead of spending money on store-bought ones. You can also choose anti-peeling masks in this material.

What to look for when choosing

Before purchasing one of the products presented above, we recommend that you take a look at the selection criteria listed below.

• Price. Price is not the main thing when choosing a moisturizer or nourishing cream. You can buy a product for 100 rubles, and it will suit you, or you can buy it for 5,000, but it will only worsen the situation of the dermis. Try initially a product with an average price category, since they all have almost the same composition.
• Hypoallergenic. Not all creams for dry skin are hypoallergenic. Before purchasing, use a tester, apply a small amount of product to your elbow and wait about 20 minutes. If no reaction occurs, then the cream is suitable for you.
• Consistency. Dry skin needs to be hydrated 24 hours a day, but it also needs to breathe. Choose a product with a loose consistency that is instantly absorbed and does not clog pores.
• Expiration dates. Carefully monitor the expiration dates, as expired goods can only aggravate the situation with inflamed skin with redness.

conclusions

1. For very dry epidermis, it is best to use more nourishing components - oils, moisturizers such as glycerin, which retain moisture inside.
2. For irritation and dryness, it is necessary to use herbal ingredients such as chamomile, cucumber, nettle, and birch.
3. Dry skin can appear from too much exposure to sunlight, so do not forget to use dexpanthenol and apply sunscreen.
4. Since it is difficult to add these substances to homemade cream yourself, they must be used separately.
5. Pharmacy products are safer than mass market creams, since they have virtually no fragrances and contain components that do not cause allergies.