Top 7 Best Ointment Moisturizers for Extremely Dry Skin

Extremely dry skin can be more than just a minor inconvenience—it's often a persistent, uncomfortable condition that affects daily life. Accordingly, 69% of people with dry skin experience significant dryness, especially during colder months. This highlights the pervasive discomfort that comes with the season.

Cracked, itchy, and irritated skin looks unsightly and can lead to pain and increased susceptibility to infections. Traditional moisturizers may provide temporary relief, but those with severely dry skin often fall short, leaving sufferers frustrated and searching for more effective solutions.

However, there is hope for those struggling with extremely dry skin. Specially formulated ointment moisturizers can provide the intense hydration and protection that severely dry skin craves.

These products create a protective barrier, lock in moisture, and help repair the skin's natural defenses. These ointments offer a powerful solution to combat even the most stubborn cases of dry skin, potentially bringing long-awaited relief and healing. Continue reading to learn which of the best ointment moisturizers suits you!

Moisturizers and Skin Barrier Function

Moisturizers play a vital role in dermatological care by enhancing the skin's water content and fortifying its natural protective barrier, crucial for managing conditions like eczema and xerosis.

They help maintain skin hydration, crucial for the skin's integrity, and facilitate natural skin turnover processes by promoting enzymatic reactions necessary for peeling skin.

Furthermore, maintaining adequate hydration is essential, especially for extremely dry skin, as it helps restore and strengthen the skin's barrier.

This barrier is vital for preventing moisture loss and protecting against irritants and allergens. A systematic review underscores the importance of emollients and moisturizers in managing chronic skin conditions characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin.

Types of Effective Ingredients for Ointment Moisturizer

Different types of ointment moisturizers contain various key ingredients that contribute to their effectiveness in treating extremely dry skin:

1. Humectants

Humectants, such as hyaluronic acid, urea, and glycerol, draw water from the deeper layers of the skin and the environment into the outermost layer, helping to keep the skin hydrated.

Urea-containing creams have been shown to improve skin dryness, although they can sometimes cause adverse reactions.

2. Occlusives

Occlusives like petrolatum, lanolin, and dimethicone form a barrier on the skin surface, preventing moisture loss. They are particularly effective for extremely dry skin as they help to maintain hydration by creating a protective layer.

Studies indicate that occlusives are beneficial in reducing the frequency of eczema flares and the need for topical corticosteroids.

3. Emollients

Emollients, such as mineral oil, shea butter, and ceramides, fill in the gaps between skin cells, making the skin smoother and softer.

Ceramides, in particular, are essential as they help reinforce the skin's natural barrier, improving its ability to retain moisture and protect against environmental damage.

Application and Efficacy of Moisturizers

The application method significantly influences the effectiveness of ointment moisturizers. These products should be applied immediately after bathing when the skin is damp for optimal results. This practice helps to trap moisture and enhance the skin's hydration levels.

A systematic review highlighted that consistent moisturizer use could improve disease severity, prolong the time to flare, and reduce the need for additional treatments.

Furthermore, applying moisturizer immediately after a shower can prevent water loss and improve skin hydration.

This organization also emphasizes choosing products with ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to enhance moisturizing effects.

Adverse Effects and Considerations of Using Ointment Moisturizer

While ointment moisturizers are generally safe, some individuals may experience adverse reactions such as stinging, pruritus, or erythema.

It is important to select products free from fragrances and other potential allergens to minimize the risk of irritation, especially for sensitive skin.

For those with extremely dry skin, it is also recommended to avoid products containing alcohol, fragrances, dyes, and other chemicals that can exacerbate dryness and irritation.

Selecting a non-comedogenic moisturizer can help prevent pore clogging and further skin issues.

Top 7 Best Ointment Moisturizers for Extremely Dry Skin

We have researched the top 7 ointment moisturizers and selected them based on their effectiveness for extremely dry skin, ingredient quality, and user satisfaction.

These ointment moisturizers provide intense hydration, create protective barriers, and help restore compromised skin, making them ideal solutions for those struggling with severely dry, cracked, or irritated skin conditions.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment is a highly versatile and effective solution for numerous skincare needs, particularly for extremely dry skin. This ointment addresses various skin concerns, including dry, compromised skin, chapped lips, cracked hands and heels, minor cuts, and burns.

Unlike typical lotions or creams, Aquaphor is a water-free ointment that helps create a protective barrier on the skin. This barrier protects and allows oxygen to reach the skin, fostering an ideal healing environment.

Its formulation includes ingredients like petrolatum, known for its skin-protectant properties, and Provitamin B5 and glycerin that soothe and moisturize the skin, making it a staple in skincare regimes to restore smooth, healthy-looking skin.

CeraVe Healing Ointment is a specialized skin protectant that treats and relieves extremely dry, cracked, and chafed skin. This ointment utilizes a petrolatum-based formula which acts as an occlusive agent, helping to retain the skin's natural moisture.

Enhanced with hyaluronic acid and essential ceramides, it not only hydrates but also aids in restoring the skin's protective barrier. Suitable for various skin types and conditions, including eczema, the ointment is fragrance-free, lanolin-free, and non-comedogenic, ensuring it does not clog pores or irritate sensitive skin.

Approved by dermatologists and holding the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance, CeraVe Healing Ointment is a gentle yet effective choice for maintaining healthy skin.

Eucerin Original Healing Cream is a highly effective body cream for extremely dry, sensitive, and compromised skin. This unscented, emollient-enriched body moisturizer comes in a rich formula that deeply conditions and protects the skin.

Ideal for daily use, Eucerin's cream helps to heal and shield skin by replenishing its natural moisture barrier, preventing further moisture loss. Its gentle formulation is non-comedogenic, and free from fragrances and dyes, making it safe for even the most sensitive skin types.

Packaged in a convenient 16-ounce jar, this product offers a substantial quantity that ensures long-term care and protection for distressed skin.

Cetaphil Healing Ointment is a highly effective skincare product designed to heal and protect extremely dry, chapped, and irritated skin. It is specially formulated with a high concentration of petrolatum, serving as a skin protectant that shields and heals the skin.

This ointment is enhanced with shea butter for its soothing properties and vitamin E to strengthen the skin's resilience. It is targeted to provide intense hydration and hydrate the skin for 48 hours while maintaining the natural moisture barrier.

The hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula makes it gentle enough for sensitive skin, and its non-greasy application ensures it does not leave an uncomfortable residue. Ideal for areas like hands, heels, and lips, it can also be used as a part of daily skin care for those dealing with persistent dryness.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is an all-purpose soothing and therapeutic cream designed to treat and protect extremely dry, irritated skin. Formulated with a blend of Panthenol and Madecassoside, it effectively repairs the skin's protective barrier while providing soothing relief.

Including thermal spring water in the formulation enhances the skin's natural healing process and provides anti-irritating benefits, making it safe for babies, children, and adults.

This multi-functional balm is particularly effective for treating dry patches, chapped lips, and sensitive skin irritations and can be used on the body, hands, and face.

The A+D First Aid Healing Ointment is a versatile skin protectant designed to repair and protect extremely dry, chapped, or cracked skin.

Infused with vitamins A and D, this ointment supports the skin's natural healing process, making it ideal for a wide range of applications, including minor cuts, scrapes, burns, and cracked skin on areas like heels and hands.

Its thick consistency protects against harsh environmental conditions, preventing further irritation and aiding moisture retention. A+D's formulation is free from parabens, dyes, and phthalates, ensuring it is gentle enough for sensitive skin and suitable for adults and children.

Lanolips Golden Dry Skin Salve is a rich, healing ointment that delivers intense moisture and relief to extremely dry and compromised skin. This ointment is a multitasking miracle worker, formulated with natural ingredients, including lanolin, vitamin E, and Manuka honey.

It is specifically crafted to target areas prone to extreme dryness, such as hands, lips, and rough patches on the body.

Dermatologist-tested and free from harmful additives like petroleum, parabens, and sulfates, Lanolips Golden Dry Skin Salve offers a hydrating solution that's as gentle as it is effective.

Final Thoughts

Among the ointment moisturizers reviewed, CeraVe Healing Ointment is the standout choice as the best ointment moisturizer for extremely dry skin. Its unique formulation and dermatologist-approved ingredients make it an excellent option for those struggling with severe dryness, cracked skin, or eczema-prone skin.

CeraVe's petrolatum-based formula, enhanced with hyaluronic acid and essential ceramides, provides intense hydration and helps restore and maintain the skin's natural protective barrier. Its non-comedogenic, fragrance-free composition and National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance make it particularly suitable for sensitive skin types and those with specific skin conditions.

If you're battling extremely dry skin or looking for a versatile, dermatologist-recommended solution, it's time to give CeraVe Healing Ointment a try. Incorporate it into your daily skincare routine to experience the long-lasting hydration and barrier repair your skin needs. Consistency is key when addressing severe skin dryness, so make CeraVe a regular skin care regimen for the best results.

FAQs on Ointment Moisturizer

How do ointment moisturizers differ from creams?

Ointment moisturizers contain about 80% oil, making them thicker and more occlusive, staying on the skin's surface. Creams have equal parts oil and water, are more easily absorbed, and cover larger areas.

Are ointment moisturizers safe for sensitive skin?

Yes, ointment moisturizers are safe for sensitive skin. They have a high oil content, which helps seal in moisture without causing a burning sensation, making them ideal for treating conditions like eczema.

When should you use an ointment moisturizer?

You should use an ointment moisturizer for very dry, chapped, or cracked areas of skin, such as dry heels, psoriasis patches, and chapped hands and lips, as it keeps moisture sealed in longer.