9 Best Occlusive Moisturizers
Everyone knows that using a moisturizer is essential for healthy skin. But with so many moisturizers on the market, it’s hard to know which one you should use.
You may have heard that moisturizers can be divided into three groups: occlusive, emollient, and humectant. They each serve a different purpose. Knowing your individual skin type can help you decide which type of moisturizer is best for you.
If you have dry, damaged, or severely dehydrated skin, an occlusive moisturizer is likely the most effective option for you.
Occlusive moisturizers are the heavy-duty stuff. They are thick and form a physical barrier over your skin, preventing water loss and maintaining hydration while helping to lock in other products, such as serums and treatments, into your skin.
You might need an occlusive moisturizer during the winter months, or for a few weeks at a time. Others might need to use an occlusive moisturizer year-round because their skin is naturally dry.
Whatever your situation, if you’ve decided on an occlusive moisturizer, it can be hard to pick one.
There are numerous options available, ranging from inexpensive products like petroleum jelly to high-end solutions that promise to replenish your skin in various ways.
So, what’s the best occlusive moisturizer for your skin?
A good occlusive moisturizer locks in moisture without clogging your pores, contains skin-healing ingredients, and leaves your skin with a glowy yet non-greasy finish.
In this article, we will review the top occlusive moisturizers available on the market.
- Occlusive Moisturizer Buyer’s Guide
- Best Occlusive Moisturizers For Dry Skin
- 1. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
- 2. Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Skin Protectant Face Cream
- 3. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Facial Moisturizer
- 4. URIAGE Thermal Rich Water Cream
- 5. Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
- 6. DRMTLGY Soothe and Recovery Cream
- 7. CeraVe Healing Ointment
- 8. Welmedix Fragile Skin Protective Ointment
- 9. Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly
- Related Articles
Occlusive Moisturizer Buyer’s Guide
Before we dive in, let’s go over what makes an occlusive moisturizer stand out. Not all occlusive moisturizers are created equal, so it’s important to know what to look for when shopping for one.
We used these criteria to put together our list of best occlusive moisturizers:
Occlusive Type
There are several occlusive ingredients that act similarly by creating a protective layer on the skin, which prevents water loss.
Some of the most common occlusive ingredients are:
- Petroleum and petrolatum
- Silicones, like dimethicone
- Beeswax
- Shea butter
- Squalane
While they all work well, they are not created equal. For example, shea butter contains antioxidants, which are also great for your skin.
Not only do you receive occlusive benefits, but you also get a dose of nutrients. This is not the case with petroleum, for example.
Other Active Ingredients
Many occlusive moisturizers contain additional active ingredients to enhance their effect on your skin. If you’re looking for an all-in-one product, look for an occlusive moisturizer with added ingredients that your skin may need.
Here are a few of these ingredients you might want to look for in your occlusive moisturizer:
- Hyaluronic acid – for hydration and pulling water into the skin
- Ceramides – to rebuild your skin’s natural protective layer
- Retinol – to fight fine lines and acne
- Antioxidants – to fight free radicals and protect your skin
- Peptides – to help firm up the skin
On the other hand, you might be looking for a simple occlusive to put over your other products to seal everything in. There are many options available to you as well.
Depending on what you want to achieve with your occlusive moisturizer, pay attention to the other ingredients in the cream to ensure it meets your needs.
Texture
Most occlusive moisturizers are naturally heavy, but that doesn’t mean they’re all thick and greasy.
These days, skincare technology allows occlusive moisturizers to come in a wide range of textures and finishes.
Some of them are heavier, while others are light and airy. Some are creamy, while others are oily. It depends on your skin type and how you plan to use the product.
If your skin is prone to oiliness, stick to lighter textures of occlusives. Some occlusive moisturizers even have added ingredients that give them a matte finish.
On the other hand, if your skin is extremely dry and you plan to use this product only at night, you may not be as concerned about having a shiny face.
Price
We always want to keep the price in mind because everyone is on a different budget. While we always strive to offer the highest-quality products, we also aim to balance that with a reasonable price tag.
You’ll find that there are good occlusive creams available in various price ranges, and we have done our best to include a good balance of them in our list.
Best Occlusive Moisturizers For Dry Skin
Here are the best occlusive moisturizers we’ve identified based on the factors above and actual user feedback.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré | Powerful occlusive ingredients with a light and wearable texture perfect for daytime |
| 2. | Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Skin Protectant Face Cream | Cult favorite with simple ingredients that lock in moisture and soothe skin |
| 3. | Vichy Aqualia Thermal Facial Moisturizer | Rich occlusive with volcanic water that restores and tones the skin |
| 4. | URIAGE Thermal Rich Water Cream | Shea butter based occlusive with thermal water from teh Alps |
| 5. | Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream | Soft occlusive cream with powerful natural ingredients from Japan that give you a dewy look |
| 6. | DRMTLGY Soothe and Recovery Cream | Soothing occlusive cream featuring allantoin, for hydration, softness, and brightening |
| 7. | CeraVe Healing Ointment | Heavy occlusive cream with skin-friendly ingredients that is great for very dry and cracked skin |
| 8. | Welmedix Fragile Skin Protective Ointment | Hospital-level occlusive, ideal for damaged, burned, or extra-dry skin |
| 9. | Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly | All-natural occlusive with simple ingredients, a plant-based version of Vaseline |
1. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
This cream has a light, subtle scent that is noticeable. If you are looking for a scent-free product, you may want to skip this one.
It leaves the skin soft, plump, and moisturized. It’s no surprise that it has been a bestseller since the 1950s.
In addition to the occlusive ingredients, it also features aloe vera to soothe the skin, soy proteins to firm it up, and shea butter to nourish and protect.
The best thing about this ultra-hydrating cream is that, unlike many other occlusives, it doesn’t look too greasy or shiny on the skin. It can be worn during the day underneath your makeup, and it won’t make you look like a “glazed donut.”
2. Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Skin Protectant Face Cream
This cream, first invented in the 1930s and used by Elizabeth Arden herself, has become a cult favorite.
Infused with powerful occlusives like petrolatum and dimethicone, this product has been favored by dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and women worldwide.
It softens and soothes the skin, coating it in a rich, protective layer that can help combat even the most severe cases of dry, patchy skin.
It tends to be best used at night due to its thick consistency, although those with very dry skin can also use it during the day.
Users rave about how quickly this little cream starts to heal their skin, visibly reducing dryness and adding softness within hours after application.
3. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Facial Moisturizer
This rich Vichy moisturizing cream contains occlusives, such as shea butter and dimethicone.
It also contains incredibly hydrating and healing ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and volcanic water.
Vichy’s volcanic water is rich in minerals that help the skin regenerate and appear more even.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one moisturizer that heals, nurtures, hydrates, and creates a protective layer to keep the moisture in – this is it.
This cream will add elasticity and suppleness to your skin, restoring your natural moisture barrier.
We love that this cream is fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested, making it safe for sensitive skin. It’s non-comedogenic and won’t cause a reaction.
Despite its powerful moisture-locking capabilities, it is not a very heavy lotion. This Vichy cream has a lightweight texture that can be worn by all skin types without making you look too shiny.
4. URIAGE Thermal Rich Water Cream
This face lotion is made with shea butter and thermal water from the Alps. It helps replenish your skin’s moisture, protects the skin, repairs the natural moisture barrier, and infuses it with healing minerals.
URIAGE products are often recommended by dermatologists because the ingredients are safe for the skin and well-tolerated by most skin types without any issues.
This URIAGE Water Cream is lighter than most occlusives and has the texture typically found in a lightweight lotion. It’s perfect for those looking for wearability combined with intense protection.
With its smooth texture, this cream spreads easily and absorbs into the skin, leaving a thin layer on the surface. Due to its lightweight nature, it won’t leave you looking greasy, yet it will still effectively protect your skin and retain moisture.
This cream has a light, subtle scent that is noticeable. If you are looking for a scent-free product, you may want to skip this one.
5. Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Looking for an occlusive that features natural ingredients that repair and invigorate your skin? This gorgeous lilac-purple cream by Tatcha is sure to impress.
It’s a strong occlusive containing dimethicone, glycerin, and squalane. However, what stands out about this cream is the inclusion of other active ingredients sourced from nature, including Japanese purple rice, Okinawa algae blend, hyaluronic acid, and various botanical extracts.
The result? A beautiful cream that glides onto your skin, treating it from the inside. Packed with antioxidants and humectants, this cream hydrates, moisturizes, and protects.
It leaves your skin feeling and looking fantastic for over eight hours. We also love the cute purple jar with a bow, which will make your vanity look extra pretty.
Most users note an improvement in their skin texture, radiance, and plumpness. It does what it promises: gives you dewy skin that looks healthy and hydrated.
Although it’s one of the most expensive creams on our list, it’s definitely worth the cost if you can afford it. Plus, a little bit goes a long way, so it should last you a while.
6. DRMTLGY Soothe and Recovery Cream
DRMTLGY is a brand that produces high-quality, medical-grade skincare products. Their Soothe and Recovery Cream doesn’t disappoint.
This cream has a medium texture, so it’s not as heavy as some of the other occlusives on the market, but it still does a great job of protecting and soothing the skin.
Formulated with dimethicone and glycerin as the occlusives, it also features skin-friendly ceramides, vitamin E, cactus extracts, and allantoin. Allantoin is a powerful ingredient that has been gaining popularity in the skincare industry.
It is an anti-inflammatory, mild exfoliant, and hydrator. Combined with all the other great ingredients in this cream, it helps your skin become softer, smoother, and healthier while locking in moisture under a protective layer.
7. CeraVe Healing Ointment
With almost 50% of this ointment being pure petrolatum, it is one of the strongest occlusives on the market.
This ointment is thick, rich, and gooey. It’s similar to traditional Vaseline that your grandma might have in a jar somewhere.
This product is perfect for dry, flaky, chafed, and cracked skin. It is rich and hydrating, locking in moisture to prevent it from escaping.
It’s great to layer other hydrating products, such as serums and creams, to lock in moisture for your skin.
In addition to petrolatum, it contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which attract additional moisture and repair your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
This is a great ointment for those SOS situations when your skin is so dry it’s cracking. This baby will fix it.
8. Welmedix Fragile Skin Protective Ointment
This stuff is no joke! Welmedix created this hospital-grade protective ointment as the ultimate occlusive to soothe and repair dry, cracked, and damaged skin.
It can be used on your face, body, and feet, as well as for wound care to treat minor burns, cuts, and rashes.
It’s made with 42% petrolatum and also contains soothing botanicals, including calendula, coconut oil, and aloe vera, to nourish and heal damaged skin.
If you’re struggling with serious dryness and irritation, this might be a perfect ointment for you. It’s similar to the CeraVe ointment we mentioned above, but contains more soothing ingredients that can help with painful and broken skin.
9. Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly
Dubbed the natural version of petroleum jelly, this Alba Botanica product contains no petroleum.
Instead, it’s formulated with organic plant oils that have a similar occlusive consistency: castor seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and beeswax.
If you’re looking for something simple, like Vaseline, but with all-natural ingredients, this is it. The Un-petroleum Jelly is thick and rich. It hydrates your skin, protects it, and seals it to prevent moisture from escaping.
Most people notice an immediate effect. This jelly softens the skin and helps repair irritated or chafed areas. Many people use it to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
But it’s also great for general skincare needs. It’s perfect for layering over your other skincare products at the end of your routine to lock in and protect them before bedtime.
Many people also claim that this product helps their eyebrows grow thicker and healthier. The more you know!
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