Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer for dry sensitive skin
Niacinamide
Glycerin
Multivitamin Complex
Dimethicone
Panthenol
High
- SuperiorDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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 and sensitive skin as glycerin and panthenol provide deep hydration and barrier repair, effectively addressing flakiness.
- Niacinamide further enhances skin soothing and resilience, complementing the primary humectant actions.
- The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring soothing components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using this moisturizer 3 times a week and move to daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toner in the morning, or after your serum in the evening. Always pair it with SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing it harshly to protect your sensitive skin.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help with hydration absorption. This also works well for dry and flaky skin types.
- Do a patch test before your first use. Avoid the eye area to prevent any irritation.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this moisturizer is widely praised for its lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly, making it a staple for users with combination or oily skin. While many find it gentle and effective for daily hydration, a notable minority with very sensitive skin experience stinging or burning upon application, and some find it insufficient for dry skin types.
Highlights
Absorbs quickly Often Mentioned
- “sinks in seconds”
- “rapid absorbency”
- “dries fast”
- “makeup ready instantly”
Lightweight, non-greasy Often Mentioned
- “feels like nothing”
- “no oily residue”
- “super lightweight”
- “doesn't clog pores”
Fragrance-free, gentle Sometimes Noted
- “no scent”
- “great for sensitivity”
- “doesn't irritate nose”
- “simple formula”
Good value Sometimes Noted
- “affordable price”
- “lasts a long time”
- “great budget option”
- “cheap but effective”
Softens and smooths Sometimes Noted
- “leaves skin soft”
- “smooth texture”
- “improves dry patches”
- “skin feels prepped”
Stinging or burning Sometimes Noted
- “burns on application”
- “stings sensitive skin”
- “caused flushing”
- “face felt hot”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “developed whiteheads”
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused rash”
- “acne flared up”
Greasy finish Rarely Noted
- “left a film”
- “made me sweat”
- “too shiny for day”
- “greasy t-zone”
Insufficient moisture Rarely Noted
- “not enough for dry skin”
- “skin felt tight”
- “needed more layers”
- “too thin”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump broken”
- “tube not sealed”
- “hard to dispense”
- “leaked in shipping”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, walmart.com, target.com, hometesterclub.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer is a great fit because glycerin and panthenol provide deep hydration and barrier repair to stop flakiness on dry skin, while niacinamide soothes and strengthens it. The formula is safe and gentle, with no harsh ingredients.
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin and panthenol make this a great fit because they provide deep hydration and repair the skin barrier to stop flakiness. Niacinamide also helps calm your skin and makes it stronger, while the formula keeps things gentle with no harsh ingredients.
What does Niacinamide do for dry sensitive skin?
Niacinamide helps dry sensitive skin by calming irritation and keeping moisture locked in so your face feels soft and smooth. It works to build up your skin barrier and calm redness while being very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2013
What does Glycerin do for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin helps dry sensitive skin by drawing moisture into the skin and keeping it there, making the skin soft and smooth. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving how well the skin holds onto water. This type of skin needs ingredients that boost hydration and repair the barrier without causing stinging.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This moisturizer goes in the evening routine after cleansing, toning, and treatment, and in a weekly routine after makeup removal, cleansing, a nourishing mask, and treatment. Using a moisturizer daily like this helps improve clinical scores and visual dryness compared to cleansing alone.
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying the retinol first and following it with the moisturizer to help soothe the skin and keep it comfortable. Using a barrier-enhancing moisturizer alongside retinoids is safe and may help improve your skin's tolerance to the treatment.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer daily as part of your morning and evening routine to help keep dry sensitive skin soft and hydrated. Regular daily application supports skin barrier recovery and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Health Science Reports, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts, as shoppers with dry sensitive skin report this issue very rarely. Its gentle formula skips harsh ingredients, and niacinamide helps calm the skin.
Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this moisturizer on your body and the thin skin around your eyes to keep it hydrated and calm. Glycerin and panthenol help provide deep moisture while niacinamide soothes your skin without irritation.
Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol and cetearyl 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, 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 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 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 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, 2005Topical 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006The 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, 2012Wearing 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, 2007Moisturizer 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, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid
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?
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