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EltaMD PM Restore Moisturizer for dry skin

EltaMD PM Restore Moisturizer

Average

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for dry skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate benefits for your dry or flaky skin due to the presence of niacinamide and linoleic acid, which support skin barrier function and hydration. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate further enhance this moisturizing effect, improving barrier resilience.
  • The formulation is highly suitable for your dry skin, with linoleic and oleic acids providing emollient action to nourish and soften. This combination effectively addresses dryness without causing irritation.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your dry skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
  • Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use .

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 1.6k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this moisturizer is highly regarded for its lightweight, non-greasy texture that effectively hydrates and repairs the skin barrier overnight. Some users noted issues with packaging visibility and a few found it insufficient for very dry skin, with occasional comments about formula changes or the price point.

Highlights

  • Lightweight, non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly”
    • “not oily”
    • “feels weightless”
  • Effective hydration Often Mentioned
    • “Skin feels soft”
    • “supple in morning”
    • “deeply moisturizing”
  • Soothing for sensitive Often Mentioned
    • “Calms redness”
    • “non-irritating”
    • “great for sensitive skin”
  • Fragrance-free formula Sometimes Noted
    • “No noticeable smell”
    • “no irritation”
    • “clean scent”
  • Packaging visibility Sometimes Noted
    • “Cannot see remaining product”
    • “runs out unexpectedly”
  • Formula changes Rarely Noted
    • “Not the same as old”
    • “caused breakouts”
    • “texture changed”
  • Insufficient hydration Rarely Noted
    • “Not hydrating enough”
    • “need something heavier”
    • “felt dry”
  • Price point Rarely Noted
    • “Expensive for size”
    • “value varies”
    • “pricey”

Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, bluemercury.com, lovelyskin.com, trustpilot.com, whatsinmyjar.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does EltaMD PM Restore work for dry skin?

EltaMD PM Restore Moisturizer works moderately well for dry skin, helping to keep it soft and comfortable with ingredients like niacinamide and linoleic acid. While it hydrates effectively, dry skin often needs richer moisturizing treatments packed with extra nourishing oils and powerful water-attracting ingredients to lock in lasting moisture and fully support the skin barrier.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for dry skin?

This moisturizer is a good fit for dry skin thanks to niacinamide and linoleic acid, which help support the skin barrier and hydration. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate further enhance this moisturizing effect to leave skin soft and smooth. To work best for dry skin, this type of product needs deeply nourishing ingredients and rich moisture-retaining emollients that provide maximum hydration without any risk of irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Niacinamide do for dry skin?

Niacinamide helps dry skin by strengthening the skin barrier, increasing hydration, and reducing water loss. It supports ceramide production and helps keep the surface smooth and calm. This ingredient tends to be very well tolerated and is unlikely to irritate dry skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

What does Hydrolyzed Rice Protein do for dry skin?

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein helps dry skin feel soft and smooth by keeping moisture locked in. This ingredient is generally safe to use on your skin without irritation.

International Journal of Toxicology, 2006

Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This moisturizer goes after your hydrating toner in the morning, and after your treatment in the evening. Using a moisturizer regularly helps improve visual dryness and keeps dry skin feeling soft and comfortable.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying the retinol first, letting it absorb, and then following with the cream to help keep your skin soft and comfortable. Using a gentle moisturizer of this type helps reduce dryness and irritation while your skin adjusts to the retinol. Dry skin of this type needs rich, nourishing ingredients like ceramides, essential fatty acids, and heavy moisturizing agents to lock in hydration.

Cutis, 2006The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2016

How often should I use this moisturizer?

You can use this moisturizer daily in your morning and evening routines to help keep your dry skin soft and hydrated. Daily application of moisturizers of this type significantly improves skin moisture and helps restore the skin barrier.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin. Its safety profile is excellent, with no harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation or breakouts.

Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this moisturizing treatment around your eyes and on your body, as it has a very safe profile and is unlikely to cause irritation on dry skin. To properly care for dry skin in these areas, a product needs rich nourishing oils, gentle hydrators like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, and barrier-supporting ingredients like niacinamide.

Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Rice protein hydrolysate and its characteristic peptides Leu-Leu-Lys, Leu-Pro-Lys, and pyroGlu-Lys reduced melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and ROS production in UVB-induced human epidermal melanocyte PIG1 cells by regulating the JNK/Β-Trcp/NFΗB-p65/MITF signaling pathway and lowering TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression.

    Food & Function, 2020
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • Topical application of linoleic acid achieved an almost 25% reduction in the overall size of follicular casts and microcomedones over a 1-month treatment period in patients with mild acne compared to no change at placebo-treated sites.

    Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1998
  • A lotion containing triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate reduced Leeds grading, total, inflammatory, and noninflammatory lesion counts, and sebum production compared with a placebo in patients with mild to moderate acne.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2007
  • Liposomal formulation of linoleic acid significantly enhances its skin whitening effect compared to non-liposomal forms in UV-stimulated guinea pig and human skin.

    Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2004

Ingredients

Water, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C10-30 Cholesterol Lanosterol Esters, Glycereth-26, Phenoxyethanol, Linoleic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Oleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Disodium Edta, Thioctic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Bisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phosphoric Acid, Tetrasodium Edta

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.