9 Best Occlusive Moisturizers
Everyone knows that using a moisturiser is essential for healthy skin. But with so many moisturisers on the market, it’s hard to know which one you should use.
You may have heard that moisturisers can be divided into three groups: occlusive, emollient, and humectant.
They each serve a different purpose. Knowing your skin type can help you decide which moisturiser is best for you.
If you have dry, damaged, or severely dehydrated skin, an occlusive moisturiser is likely the most effective option.
Occlusive moisturisers are the heavy-duty stuff.
They are thick and form a physical barrier over your skin, preventing water loss and maintaining hydration while helping lock in other products, such as serums and treatments.
You might need an occlusive moisturiser during the winter months, or for a few weeks at a time.
Others might need to use an occlusive moisturiser year-round because their skin is naturally dry.
Whatever your situation, if you’ve decided on an occlusive moisturiser, 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 moisturiser for your skin?
A good occlusive moisturiser 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 moisturisers available on the market.
Occlusive Moisturiser Buyer’s Guide
Before we dive in, let’s go over what makes an occlusive moisturiser stand out.
Not all occlusive moisturisers 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 moisturisers:
Occlusive Type
There are several occlusive ingredients that act similarly by forming a protective layer on the skin, preventing 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 moisturisers contain additional active ingredients to enhance their effect on your skin.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one product, choose an occlusive moisturiser with added ingredients your skin may need.
Here are a few of these ingredients you might want to look for in your occlusive moisturiser:
- 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 moisturiser, pay attention to the other ingredients in the cream to ensure it meets your needs.
Texture
Most occlusive moisturisers are naturally heavy, but that doesn’t mean they’re all thick and greasy.
These days, skincare technology allows occlusive moisturisers 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 occlusive textures. Some occlusive moisturisers 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 at various price points, and we have done our best to include a good balance in our list.
Best Occlusive Moisturisers For Dry Skin
Here are the best occlusive moisturisers we’ve identified based on the factors above and actual user feedback.
| Rank | Product | Key Features | Where To Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré | Powerful occlusive ingredients with a light and wearable texture perfect for daytime | See it on Amazon |
| 2. | La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5+ | Dimethicone protectant with panthenol and madecassoside; seals without feeling heavy | See it on Amazon |
| 3. | Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream | Plant oils, beeswax and lanolin form a thick barrier for very dry skin | See it on Amazon |
| 4. | URIAGE Thermal Rich Water Cream | Shea butter based occlusive with thermal water from teh Alps | See it on Amazon |
| 5. | Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream | Rich, dewy cream with hyaluronic acid and Japanese purple rice | See it on Amazon |
| 6. | DRMTLGY Soothe and Recovery Cream | Soothing occlusive cream featuring allantoin, for hydration, softness, and brightening | See it on Amazon |
| 7. | CeraVe Healing Ointment | Ceramide ointment that seals and soothes cracked, chafed skin | See it on Amazon |
| 8. | Welmedix Fragile Skin Protective Ointment | Hospital-level occlusive, ideal for damaged, burned, or extra-dry skin | See it on Amazon |
| 9. | TD Naturals Healthy Jelly | Plant-based beeswax jelly; free of petroleum, lanolin and fragrance | See it on Amazon |
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 moisturised. It’s no surprise that it has been a bestseller since the 1950s.
In addition to occlusive ingredients, it features aloe vera to soothe the skin, soy proteins to firm it, 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 under your makeup and won’t make you look like a “glazed doughnut.”
2. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5+
Cicaplast Balm B5+ is the tube that tends to live in a French bathroom cabinet. Its protectant is dimethicone rather than straight petrolatum, so it seals the surface without the tackiness a heavy ointment usually leaves behind.
Underneath that seal sit panthenol and madecassoside, which is why it gets handed to skin that is not just dry but sore — cracked knuckles, chapped lips, wind-burned cheeks, the raw patch that turns up two days into a retinol.
It absorbs quickly enough to wear in the daytime, and a pea-sized amount warmed between the fingers goes further than you would expect from something this rich.
It holds 4.7 stars across more than 22,000 reviews, which for a 3.38oz tube at pharmacy pricing makes it about as well-tested as an occlusive gets.
3. Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
Skin Food has been sold in the same green tube since 1926, and it is what people tend to reach for once a lighter lotion has stopped being enough.
The richness comes from plant oils, beeswax and lanolin rather than petrolatum, so it sits on top as a real barrier layer while sunflower seed oil, chamomile and calendula work on the roughness underneath.
It is thick. Warm it between your palms and press it in rather than trying to rub it out, and save it for the places that crack first — elbows, knuckles, heels, shins.
Plenty of people use it on the face as a last step at night. It earns 4.5 stars across more than 35,000 reviews.
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 their ingredients are safe for the skin and well-tolerated by most skin types.
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, moisturises, 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 report improvements in 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 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. TD Naturals Healthy Jelly
If what you want from petroleum jelly is the seal but not the petroleum, this is the straight swap. It is a plant-based jelly built on beeswax, and it goes on and wears much the way the original does.
The jar is free of soy, gluten, parabens, phthalates, petroleum, lanolin and added fragrance, which makes it an easy pick for reactive skin or for anyone slugging.
Use it exactly as you would the petroleum kind: over your moisturiser at night, on lips, on cuticles, on a scrape that is healing.
It runs 4.6 stars across around 825 reviews for a 3.5oz jar.
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