SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer for dry skin
High
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry skin; a few moisturizers fit it even 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
- Highly suitable for your dry skin, this moisturizer effectively addresses dryness and flakiness with sodium hyaluronate and panthenol, which provide excellent humectant and emollient benefits to enhance barrier resilience.
- Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and tocopherol offer antioxidant protection, further supporting skin health and hydration.
- The formula is safe for your dry skin, containing no harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsThis moisturizer is highly regarded for its ultra-lightweight, oil-free formula, making it an excellent choice for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin types as it hydrates without clogging pores. It also provides a smooth, matte finish ideal for makeup application and offers antioxidant benefits. However, users with dry skin or those in dry climates may find it insufficient for their hydration needs.
Highlights
Lightweight feel Mostly Mentioned
- “vanishes into skin”
- “completely evaporated”
- “weightless feel”
- “no residue”
Acne-safe formula Often Mentioned
- “zero new breakouts”
- “doesn't clog pores”
- “clear skin”
- “safe for acne-prone”
Good for oily skin Often Mentioned
- “controls oil”
- “matte finish”
- “perfect for summer”
- “balances combination skin”
Not enough hydration Often Mentioned
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “too light for winter”
- “skin felt tight”
- “need to layer”
Gentle and soothing Sometimes Noted
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “no irritation”
- “calms redness”
- “feels cooling”
Makeup base Sometimes Noted
- “perfect smooth base”
- “no pilling”
- “sits well under foundation”
- “primer-like finish”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for size”
- “pricey”
- “small bottle”
- “costly daily use”
Rare reactions Rarely Noted
- “caused breakout”
- “skin reaction”
- “rash”
- “stinging”
Thin consistency Rarely Noted
- “very runny”
- “watery texture”
- “too thin”
- “pours out fast”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, influenster.com, walmart.ca, skinmedica.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer a great fit for dry skin?
SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer is a great fit for dry skin because it addresses dryness and flakiness using sodium hyaluronate and panthenol, which help soften skin and strengthen your moisture barrier. It is also very safe for dry skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for dry skin?
Sodium hyaluronate and panthenol make this moisturizer a great fit for dry skin by pulling in moisture and smoothing rough, flaky spots to help repair your skin barrier. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and tocopherol also provide extra antioxidant protection to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
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 Vitamin C do for dry skin?
Vitamin C helps keep dry skin hydrated and makes it feel soft and smooth. Daily use may also improve overall skin texture and brightness over time.
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This moisturizer is a great fit for your dry skin and goes after your hydrating toner in the morning and after your treatment in the evening. Using a daily moisturizer helps soothe dryness and flakiness while keeping your skin soft and comfortable.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying your retinol treatment first and following it with the moisturizer to help soothe the skin. Using a barrier-enhancing moisturizer like this one supports your skin during retinol treatment and makes the routine more comfortable.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day, morning and night, to help keep dry skin soft and smooth. Daily application of moisturizers like this supports skin barrier function and significantly improves hydration.
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. The formula is safe for your skin type and contains no harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation or blocked pores.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer safely around your eyes and on your body because its gentle formula provides great hydration and barrier support without harsh ingredients. It helps smooth dry areas and protects delicate skin areas while being well tolerated.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl 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 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, 2025Topical 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, 2002Topical 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, 2019Topical 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, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical 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, 2022Moisturizer 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, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007Externally applied substances such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, licorice extracts, dimethicone, petrolatum, and paraffin wax treat skin disease resulting from damage to the skin barrier.
Clinics in Dermatology, 2012Topical 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, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Stearate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Aminomethyl Propanol, Carbomer, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
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
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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