We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A super-hydrating Belif moisturizer to give your skin the water it needs! This lightweight gel-cream absorbs quickly for smoother-looking skin. Plus it's got squalane, ceramide 3, and glycerin, all of which help your skin retain water and maintain moisture levels.
The moisturizer works for all skin types and is oil-, phthalate-, paraben-, and sulfate-free.
"Aqua Bomb moisturizer is easily my desert island skincare product. Although I have dry-leaning combination skin, I hate most moisturizers because creamy formulas feel heavy and just yucky to me, especially under makeup. Aqua Bomb's gel-like consistency absorbs like a dream. It's soothing to stressed out skin in the winter and cooling through the heat of summer. I recommend it to friends of all skin types because it gives your skin that bouncy hydration it craves without feeling oily in the slightest. I took a break from it for a while to try out other products but JUST ordered a big tub so I can return to using it daily for the rest of my life. It's unbeatable, IMO." —Rachel Dunkel
Get it from Amazon and Sephora for $22+ (available in three sizes).
2. An oil-free Glow Recipe moisturizer that'll truly make your skin glow. It's made with watermelon extract, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid, ingredients that help protect against environmental stressors, fade dark spots, and quench thirsty skin. And because it's got anti-inflammatory properties, it'll also help soothe irritation.
The moisturizer is vegan and cruelty-free.
"I've been using this product for the last month and it has quickly become one of my favorites. It's a brightening and lightweight moisturizer that really works! I like to use it in the morning for a fresh start to my day. The pretty pink hue and glass bottle also just looks gorgeous on my counter — no complaints!" —Heather Braga, BuzzFeed editor
Get it from Amazon and Sephora for for $21+ (available in two sizes).
3. A softening foot cream if you've got dry, callused, and cracked feet. It's got aloe vera, tea tree oil, and chamomile to help hydrate your skin.
Promising reviews: "I was skeptical about this topical product to heal broken, dry, callused feet and toes. I ignored my foot care for quite a bit while pregnant (couldn't reach!) and then postpartum a bit. After the winter in the desert, my heels and large toe pads were cracked and parched. I used this product every day for 10 days and the results were amazing! I slathered it on after my shower in the morning, put on socks, and wore that during the day for 10 days. My feet are healed with no trace of dryness. Even my toenails are improved and hydrated. My hands are also healed (constantly washing hands) from applying to my feet and rubbing the rest in. I highly recommend this product for anyone suffering from super dry, cracked feet. It works — it is thick, so cover with socks and let the warmth and barrier marinate your dry feet and toes into soft beautiful skin!" —Natalie
"I have never seen a product like this ever. My feet were so soft and radiant after one application only. I usually don’t give this rating easily but this product truly made me do it. Seriously, it deserves 10 stars, not 5. I would strongly recommend it to everyone." —Nora
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available on its own, with a pumice stone and brush, and in a pack of three).
4. A Laneige hyaluronic cream moisturizer because it firms, hydrates, and strengthens your skin's moisture barrier. Expect moisture that lasts all day long!
Promising review: "The original Water Bank was the only lotion that didn’t turn my skin red. And then they changed the formula to add hyaluronic acid. I was skeptical but I love this stuff. It’s light, it absorbs quickly, and my face feels moisturized and hydrated all day long!" —LauraRose
Get it from Amazon for $23+ (available in two sizes).
5. A tub of O'Keeffe's hypoallergenic hand cream for anyone suffering from dry, cracked, and sensitive skin. It restores moisture, promotes healing, and creates a protective layer on the skin's surface that locks in moisture.
Promising review: "I have suffered from splitting and cracking fingers every fall and winter for years. I tried Eucerin, Lubriderm, and Gold Bond creams, but none seemed to relieve the splitting from reoccurring. I tried O'Keeffe's Working Hand Cream and within two-and-a-half days, the splitting and cracking were no longer a factor. Since using the cream, I have not suffered any more cracking or splitting. I am on a busy schedule and only use it at night when I go to bed. It says it's non-greasy but you can definitely feel a slick texture on your hands once applied. That's why I use it at night before bed when I don't have to open door knobs, touch smartphones, or shake hands. It has the texture of cake icing, goes on smooth and works into the skin quickly. It has no smell I can detect. I am so glad I found this cream, it has ended years of split and cracked fingers/hands." —T.H.
Get it from Amazon for $8.87.
Our O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream deep dive goes into more details, so be sure to check it out.
6. A brightening moisturizer with SPF 30 whose vitamin C-enriched formula will protect and hydrate your skin.
Bolden is a cruelty-free, Black woman-owned small business using nothing but clean ingredients because you deserve the best!
Promising review: "My skin has been super dry, especially as we move into cooler months. Within a week of using this product I'm noticing my skin feels more conditioned and a noticeable dewiness has returned." —Mallory Strange
7. A gentle botanical-based LilyAna Naturals moisturizer that brightens dark spots and replenishes moisture levels. Reviewers with eczema even say that it helps calm their flare-ups!
LilyAna Naturals is a family-owned small business using natural ingredients to craft high-quality skincare products.
Promising review: "I've struggled with dry winter skin and acne for years. I hate a lot of skin maintenance so it was always frustrating to me that I actually needed to use a PRODUCT in the wintertime to keep from breaking out in large, flaky patches. I was looking for something light, something that would plump up the little fine lines that come with being middle-aged, and something that wouldn't break me out. And we have five children so I'm a fan of cheap. I shop based on reviews, and reviewer after reviewer convinced me to try it. I'm so glad I did. I'm on my second purchase of it and I truly love it. It isn't greasy or gloppy and I can put my makeup on over it minutes after applying. My skin is clearer than it has been in years. And I've still got a few lines but I get comments on my clear skin often. A little goes a long way. Love this product!!" —Jennifer K Thorpe
Get it from LilyAna Naturals on Amazon for $19.99.
8. A shea butter whipped body butter designed with people of color in mind. Get a 24-hour glow passersby will be jealous of!
Promising review: "This is the first cream that has helped my skin. I have Sjogren's syndrome and it makes my skin severely dry and itchy. This works. I absolutely recommend." —Sharon Finley
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
9. A silky-soft anti-inflammatory moisturizer targeting fine lines without clogging pores. Formulated with prebiotics, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, it'll offer long-lasting hydration and strengthen your skin's barrier.
Acaderma is a BIPOC woman–owned small business whose fragrance-free and sustainably sourced products will help keep your skin aglow.
This cream is designed for oily and combination skin, which still need proper hydration!
Promising reviews: "I am thoroughly impressed with this face cream. I really enjoy how soothing it is. This cream feels instantly hydrating. I could tell that it helped with redness after the first use. It is my last step in my skincare routine because it seals everything together and it doesn't feel heavy. I love that it's lightweight but it also feels very rich on my skin. It absorbs quickly, which I enjoy. I wear it overnight and in the morning I wake up with ultra hydrated skin without feeling greasy." —Lorena
"I have to say that I love this so much and it has really been helping my skin improve and recover from being very damaged. I’m definitely leaning on this cream to help my skin nurse back to 100%." —skincareinhawaii
Get it from Acaderma for $68.
10. A lightweight SheaMoisture African black soap moisturizer with shea butter, tamarind, and tea tree oil. This moisturizer is safe for sensitive skin and will help those who are prone to acne.
Promising review: "I love this moisturizer sooo much. I rebuy every time I run out. I have very dry skin and this helps moisturize without feeling heavy. I mainly wear it under my makeup and apply it with a Beautyblender and it looks great/doesn't move my makeup around. 10/10 would recommend!!!" —Julia Green
Get it from Amazon for $9.47.
11. A lightweight Aveeno lotion you can use daily. This nourishing moisturizer is formulated with soothing prebiotic oats and offers 24 hours of hydration. So go ahead and improve your skin's natural moisture barrier.
Promising reviews: "I have very dry and sensitive skin that tends to peel during winter months. This lotion keeps my skin hydrated all day long, no need to reapply it at all. It is thick enough but not greasy, it doesn't leave any white residue, and the smell is so light, you barely notice it. If you have dry and sensitive skin like me, this is the body lotion for you." —Pamela
"It's so moisturizing and it has no scent. We all love it and use it every day. It is the best lotion I've encountered. It has no greasiness and makes your skin glow." —Lils Reyes
Get it from Amazon for $9.64.
12. A jar of Palmer's cocoa butter body moisturizer to provide your skin with up to 48 hours of hydration. It absorbs quickly and relieves rough, dry skin. And because it's also made with antioxidant vitamin E, you can use this moisturizer to help reduce the appearance of scars.
Promising review: "Other moisturizers I used either went on too thick or I used too much. And for the most part, they were either ineffective or took too long to show results. When my wife made me try this one, I was amazed at how quickly my skin healed. While it took me a while to adjust to the hard (as opposed to liquid-cream) application, I actually like it more now. I feel like there is much less waste and I can apply as much or as little as I need, which is especially useful when I am targeting a specific area that I want to moisturize." —Seapanda
Get it from Amazon for $7.68+ (also available as a three-pack).
13. An all-natural and cruelty-free hyaluronic acid moisturizer made with grapeseed oil, aloe juice, and licorice root extract if you're looking for hydration that won't clog your pores. It'll even help fight acne.
Cofounded by two sisters, Blume is a BIPOC woman–owned skincare company creating natural products to help promote healthy skin for people who experience periods.
Promising review: "This moisturizer is so lightweight and smells incredible! It leaves my face so hydrated and automatically makes my skin glow!" —Yeny C
14. A fragrance-free vitamin C moisturizer for help reducing the appearance of sun spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Packed with organic ingredients, this moisturizer hydrates, brightens, and blocks pollution and free radicals.
Eight Saints is a woman-owned small biz using only eight plant-based ingredients in their skincare products.
Promising review: "This is definitely one of my favorite skincare products. As someone with sensitive skin, I always have to watch anything with strong scents or creams that are too heavy (as they give me breakouts). That's made it hard to find a good moisturizer that provides hydration while being light enough to avoid acne. This cream is the answer to that. I use it every night, and was initially skeptical that such a light cream wouldn't rub off, but it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave behind that oily feeling that some other creams do. It feels fresh and smells amazing — a citrusy smell that's noticeable, but not overwhelming. I have only been using it for a short time, but it's already started to ease the redness around my cheeks and nose. I'm not sure if that's due to how hydrating it is or if it also helps to even skin tone, but either way, my skin is thankful for it. Definitely recommend it, especially for those with sensitive skin." —Kristiana Beers
Get it from Eight Saints on Amazon for