e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Daily Moisturizer for dry skin
Hyaluronic Acid
Jojoba Seed Oil
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Shea ButterAverage
- 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 hydration for your dry skin, as hyaluronic acid and glycerin provide humectant benefits, while shea butter and ceramides offer emollient properties to nourish and soften. Niacinamide and panthenol further support skin barrier function and hydration.
- The formula is generally safe for your dry skin, with oat milk and ceramides acting as soothing agents and the absence of harsh ingredients minimizing irritation potential.
- While effective for basic hydration, the product's benefits for flakiness are limited, and a more potent blend of actives could offer enhanced results for severe dryness.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this moisturizer is highly regarded for its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that effectively hydrates dry and sensitive skin, leaving it smooth and plump. It also performs well under makeup and is praised for its affordability. Some users with very oily or acne-prone skin find it too heavy or greasy, and a few mention a tacky finish or potential for clogged pores.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “Keeps skin plump and hydrated all day.”
- “Helped my tight, flaky patches.”
- “Skin feels soft, smooth, and hydrated for hours.”
- “Provides long-lasting moisture.”
Lightweight, absorbs fast Mostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly and is lightweight.”
- “Sinks in fast, feels non-greasy.”
- “Lightweight formula absorbs quickly.”
- “Doesn't feel heavy or slick.”
Great under makeup Often Mentioned
- “Works great under makeup.”
- “Layers seamlessly under makeup.”
- “Smooth, soft base that lasts all day.”
- “Makeup stays nice all day.”
Highly affordable Often Mentioned
- “Unbeatable for such a quality product.”
- “Excellent value without breaking the bank.”
- “Affordable price compared to higher-end creams.”
Gentle on sensitive Sometimes Noted
- “Fragrance-free version is a win for sensitive skin.”
- “Non-irritating formulation.”
- “Gentle yet effective for sensitive skin.”
- “No fragrance too which is also great for my sensitive skin.”
Heavy for oily Sometimes Noted
- “Left my face feeling greasy rather than smooth.”
- “The texture felt heavy on my skin.”
- “It felt too thick and greasy.”
May clog pores Rarely Noted
- “Tend to clog my pores and cause irritation.”
- “Not ideal for my specific facial skin type.”
- “Interferes with oily zones.”
Tacky residue Rarely Noted
- “Skin felt tacky and weighed down.”
- “Sticky after-feel.”
- “I can feel this sitting on my face.”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, ulta.com, walmart.com, elfcosmetics.com, lemon8-app.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Daily Moisturizer work for dry skin?
This moisturizer works for dry skin by offering moderate hydration and nourishment, though other products fit it better. It helps soften and support the skin barrier using ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, and ceramides. Dry skin of this type needs richer moisture-retaining ingredients, emollients, and potent actives to effectively target severe dryness and flakiness.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Scientific Reports, 2022
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid and glycerin provide moderate hydration, while shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and ceramides help nourish and soften dry skin. Niacinamide and panthenol further support the skin barrier, and a product for this skin needs rich, moisture-retaining ingredients and emollients to prevent flakiness and ensure optimal hydration.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Scientific Reports, 2022
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into dry skin, giving an immediate and lasting boost in hydration that helps smooth out fine lines and soften rough patches. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving overall skin smoothness and plumpness.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
What does Jojoba Seed Oil do for dry skin?
Jojoba seed oil helps dry skin by boosting hydration and keeping the skin soft and smooth. It may also calm irritation and support skin barrier repair.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017
Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
Apply this moisturizer in the morning after your cleanser and hydrating toner, and in the evening after your cleanser and treatment. Using a daily moisturizer helps improve clinical scores and visual dryness in participants with dry skin.
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying your retinol treatment first and following with the moisturizer. Applying a nourishing moisturizer helps soothe the skin and supports your skin barrier while you use retinoids. To get the best results for dry skin, this type of product needs extra richer oils and soothing ingredients to tackle flakiness.
How often should I use it?
Use this moisturizer twice a day, in the morning and evening, to keep your dry skin soft and hydrated. Regular daily application helps improve moisture levels and supports your skin barrier.
Health Science Reports, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, as the risk is low and the formula is generally safe. It provides basic hydration with soothing agents like oat milk and ceramides to help keep skin calm without heavy buildup.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer on the thin skin around your eyes and on your body, but dry skin needs a product with richer butters, oils, and ceramides for lasting comfort and softness.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Scientific Reports, 2022
Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Application of Body Lotion for 5 weeks on cosmetic dry skin improved barrier properties, increased levels of cholesterol, ceramides, and long-chain fatty acids, increased beneficial skin bacteria, and enhanced microbiome functional potential compared to baseline.
Scientific Reports, 2022A 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 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, 2017Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Topical jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.
Biomolecules, 2025Topical 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, 2024Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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, 2005A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
Why other moisturizers fit dry skin better
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Nanoemulsions containing Macadamia integrifolia seed oil successfully enhanced skin hydration and reduced wrinkles in human volunteers, outperforming conventional emulsions in skin hydration enhancement.
Nanomaterials, 2024Topical oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions containing glyceryl glucoside, natural moisturizing factors, and ceramide significantly improved skin hydration and barrier function while reducing visible dryness and tactile roughness in subjects with very dry skin compared to untreated sites and vehicles.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Oat Milk, Ceramides, Stearic Acid, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium 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.
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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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.