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Estée Lauder DayWear Moisturizer for dry skin

Superior

  • SuperiorDry Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best sunscreens for dry skin.

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

  • Excellent suitability for your dry skin is provided by sodium hyaluronate and glycerin, which offer superior humectant action, complemented by squalane and cholesterol for emollient benefits that deeply nourish and hydrate flaky areas.
  • The formula also includes urea and trehalose to further enhance moisture retention and skin barrier support, ensuring comprehensive hydration for dry or dehydrated skin.
  • This product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring soothing components that prevent irritation.

How to apply

  • Apply this moisturizing sunscreen daily in your AM routine. Use it every morning as the final step of your skincare routine.
  • Apply after your moisturizer and before putting on makeup. This ensures proper sun protection for your skin.
  • Gently spread an even layer over your face and neck. Avoid rubbing too hard to keep your dry skin happy.
  • Apply on completely dry skin for the best coverage and protection. Make sure your face is clean before application.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, Estée Lauder DayWear Moisturizer is highly rated for its lightweight, non-greasy hydration and SPF protection, suitable for normal, combination, and aging skin. Users frequently report a soft, smooth, and radiant complexion with reduced dry patches and fine lines. A moderate number of users find the fragrance overpowering and the price point high, while a low number of users with sensitive skin experienced irritation.

Highlights

  • Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “keeps my skin soft and hydrated all day”
    • “my face feels super soft and hydrated daily”
    • “infuses skin with an intense surge of moisture”
    • “keeps my skin from drying out”
  • Lightweight hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “light, quick-absorbing, and non-greasy formula”
    • “absorbs smoothly, never feels greasy”
    • “not heavy or greasy”
    • “goes on really smooth and doesn't feel greasy or oily at all”
  • Pleasant scent Often Mentioned
    • “pleasant cucumber fragrance”
    • “soft, almost cucumber-like scent”
    • “smells great, like soft hints of cucumber”
    • “refreshing watermelon-like scent”
  • SPF protection Often Mentioned
    • “included SPF 15 is ideal for mild sun exposure”
    • “doubles as protection against the harsh sunrays”
    • “having that protection included makes my routine easier”
    • “great hydration and sun protection”
  • Makeup base Sometimes Noted
    • “layers flawlessly under foundation”
    • “went on great underneath my makeup”
    • “gives a perfect base to my doublewear makeup”
    • “goes great under make up”
  • High price Sometimes Noted
    • “fairly pricey”
    • “price could be better”
    • “expensive compared to other creams”
    • “pricey but sun protection is worth investing in”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “overpowering scent, like a musty room”
    • “fragrance is pretty strong”
    • “scent that lingers on the skin”
    • “fine for that except the smell”
  • Sensitive skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “got some bumps”
    • “those with sensitive skin should be able to see what's in it”
    • “sometimes feels fairly greasy on my nose”

Sources: lovi.care, nordstrom.com, esteelauder.com, woot.com, sephora.com.au, myer.com.au, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Estée Lauder DayWear Moisturizer one of the best fits for dry skin?

This moisturizer is an exceptional fit for dry skin because it combines sodium hyaluronate and glycerin to draw in moisture, alongside squalane and cholesterol to deeply nourish flaky areas. The formula also includes urea and trehalose to help lock in hydration and support the skin barrier without causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin deeply hydrate flaky areas, while squalane and cholesterol deeply nourish dry skin. Urea and trehalose further help retain moisture and support the skin barrier.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Avobenzone do for dry skin?

Avobenzone provides UV protection for dry skin, though it is usually paired with ingredients that hold onto moisture to help keep skin soft and smooth. Studies show it has an excellent safety profile with minimal risk of irritation when used in formulated sunscreens.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2014

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

Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

Apply this moisturizer in the morning as the final step before your sunscreen to deeply hydrate and protect your dry skin. It fits smoothly into your daily routine by locking in moisture and smoothing out flaky areas.

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

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 this moisturizer to help keep your dry skin calm and comfortable. This product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring soothing components that prevent irritation.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use it?

You can use this moisturizer every morning as part of your daily routine to keep dry skin hydrated and protected. Applying it daily helps improve moisture retention and supports your skin barrier.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

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 its safe formula contains no harsh ingredients and is built to nourish flaky areas without irritation.

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.

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
  • Sodium trehalose sulfate decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content in participants with low stratum corneum water content when applied for 4 weeks compared to placebo.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2024
  • Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.

    Frontiers in Physiology, 2019
  • Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane in lipid microparticles significantly reduced their in vivo human skin penetration compared to nonencapsulated filters.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011
  • Microencapsulation of the BMDBM/HP-beta-CD complex in lipid microparticles significantly decreased the percutaneous penetration of the UV filter into the stratum corneum of human volunteers compared to the non-encapsulated sunscreen agent.

    Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2011
  • Following human skin application of an O/W emulsion containing 2% BMDBM loaded in lipospheres, 15% of the sunscreen accumulated in the uppermost layers of the stratum corneum without remarkably modifying skin permeation compared to unencapsulated sunscreen.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2008
  • 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 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003
  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009
  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001
  • Niacinamide/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, 2012
  • A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011
  • Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.

    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021
  • Caffeine stimulates metabolic activity in hair follicles and acts as an antioxidant through adenosine pathway interactions, showing potential as an effective and safe management option for hair loss despite current study limitations.

    Molecules, 2025

Ingredients

Avobenzone, Octisalate, Water, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Polyester-8, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Caprylic Capric Myristic Stearic Triglyceride, Polysilicone-11, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Hordeum Vulgare Extract Extrait Dorge Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Wheat Extract Germ Extract, Artemia Extract, Caffeine, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Behenyl Alcohol, Acrylic Acid Vp Crosspolymer, Triacontanyl Pvp, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Linoleic Acid, Cholesterol, Squalane, Sodium Pca, 2-Hexanediol, Urea, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ergothioneine, Isohexadecane, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Sorbate, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glucose, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin Glycerin Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Triacetin, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium Edta, Bht, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Blue 1 Ci 42090, Yellow 5 Ci 19140, Chromium Hydroxide Green Ci 77289

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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How does it fit your skin?

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