Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser for dry skin

Glycerin
Panthenol Vitamin B5
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Average
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 moisturizing for your dry skin, as glycerin and panthenol hydrate and enhance barrier resilience, while urea and sorbitol provide humectant action and borago officinalis seed oil offers emollient benefits.
- This formula is highly suitable for dry skin, with ingredients like glycerin and panthenol providing essential hydration to combat dryness and flakiness.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like bisabolol and panthenol.
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
★4.3Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsUsers with oily, combination, and sensitive skin appreciate this moisturizer for its lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula that does not clog pores. Many find it suitable for sensitive skin and a good base for makeup. However, individuals with dry skin report insufficient hydration, and a small number of users experienced breakouts or stinging.
Highlights
Good for sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “no artificial perfume”
- “didn't irritate skin”
- “calm and nourish”
- “gentle on face”
- “no harsh chemicals”
Affordable value Often Mentioned
- “super affordable”
- “great inexpensive product”
- “worth the price”
- “good budget option”
- “lasts a long time”
Lightweight, non-greasy Often Mentioned
- “absorbs very quickly”
- “no greasy residue”
- “light and refreshing”
- “matte finish”
- “doesn't clog pores”
Not enough hydration Often Mentioned
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “skin feels tight”
- “need heavier cream”
- “insufficient hydration”
- “dry patches remain”
Works as makeup base Sometimes Noted
- “makeup lays well”
- “base under BB cream”
- “smooths evenly”
- “no flaking”
- “non-sticky base”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused major breakouts”
- “stinging sensation”
- “small rashes”
- “clogged my pores”
Ingredient concerns Rarely Noted
- “contains mineral oil”
- “smells like paraffin”
- “parabens listed”
- “formula changed”
- “chemical smell”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “feels like a film”
- “thicker than expected”
- “hard to squeeze”
- “waxy residue”
- “sits on skin”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, influenster.com, productreview.com.au, shespeaks.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser work for dry skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for dry skin, offering moderate hydration through ingredients like glycerin and panthenol, though other products fit this skin type better. To provide optimal care for dry skin, a product of this type needs rich, nourishing ingredients, powerful moisture-retaining agents like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, and no allergens to ensure maximum hydration and skin barrier support.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin and panthenol make this cream a good fit for dry skin by providing essential hydration to combat dryness and flakiness, while urea, sorbitol, and borago officinalis seed oil help lock in moisture and soften the skin. Dry skin of this type needs richer moisture-retaining ingredients and emollients like hyaluronic acid along with a high concentration of nourishing agents for optimal hydration and skin barrier support.
What does Glycerin do for dry skin?
Glycerin helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in, which makes the skin feel much softer and smoother. It also supports your natural skin barrier to stop water from escaping easily. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts to truly calm and hydrate dry patches.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
What does Panthenol do for dry skin?
Panthenol helps dry skin by boosting hydration, reducing roughness, and supporting the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth. It may also calm redness and ease irritation with a very safe profile.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Where does this cream 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. A daily routine with a mild cleanser and moisturizer helps significantly improve visual dryness and overall skin comfort.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying it before your retinol treatment at night to help reduce dryness and irritation. Using a barrier-enhancing moisturizer with your active routine helps improve skin comfort and keeps your skin smooth.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizer every morning and evening as part of your daily routine. It helps keep dry skin soft and hydrated without causing irritation.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cream is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry skin since it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients, though breakouts are a rare complaint among reviewers.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream works for the body and the thin skin around the eyes, but dry skin needs richer oils and heavier barrier creams to stay soft and smooth.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A 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, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Cutaneous application of linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid triglycerides reduced the high rate of transepidermal water loss in essential fatty acid-deficient rats, whereas other fatty acid triglycerides had no effect.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1976
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Carbonate, Potassium Hydroxide, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Urea
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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