Best Face Moisturizers for Women Over 70: 8 Rich Creams

How to choose a rich, gentle face moisturizer in your 70s

The advice below comes from the American Academy of Dermatology (aad.org). It is written for skin that has become drier and thinner.

• Know what changes. The AAD says that in your 60s and 70s skin can feel dry and irritated, and that this happens for many reasons, including that skin is thinner and loses water more easily. It lists drier, thinner, itchy, blotchier and easily irritated skin among the common changes.
• Go up one step in richness. The AAD says an ointment is the thickest moisturizer and the most effective for dry skin. It says to use an ointment instead of a cream when your skin feels very dry, because an ointment holds water in your skin better than a cream.
• Choose fragrance-free. The AAD says to wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and to stop using skin care products that contain fragrance. It adds that products without fragrance say "fragrance free" on the package, and that unscented products can irritate dry skin.
• Look for glycerin or hyaluronic acid. The AAD lists glycerin, hyaluronic acid and lanolin as ingredients that can help reduce dryness. Check the listing or the box for them. Vanicream's listing says its cream contains no lanolin, so skip it if you want lanolin.
• Check the container. Only the Vanicream listing here names a pump. For the others, look at the product photos to see whether it is a jar, tube or pump, especially if hand strength is a concern for you.
• Moisturize often. The AAD says to apply a creamy, fragrance-free moisturizer formulated for dry skin within 3 minutes of bathing and throughout the day, so a larger tub or pump suits daily use.

Habits that help a moisturizer work

• Use warm, not hot, water. The AAD says hot water strips skin of its natural oils, which can increase skin dryness.
• Keep baths and showers short. The AAD suggests a 5- to 10-minute bath or shower, and says you may not need to bathe every day.
• Pat dry, leaving a little water. The AAD says to pat water gently from your skin after bathing, but leave a bit of water on your skin when you apply moisturizer.
• Skip bath oil. The AAD says you increase your risk of slips and falls when you use bath oil to moisturize your skin, so it is best to avoid it.
• Add humidity. The AAD says keeping indoor humidity between 45% and 60% can reduce dry, itchy skin, and that a hydrometer from a hardware store measures it.

This page describes products only and is not medical advice. The AAD says medications and medical conditions can also play a role in dry skin, and that a dermatologist can create a plan tailored to your skin. See a dermatologist if dryness will not ease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before putting any new product on skin that is broken, very sore or infected.

8 picks and who each one suits

1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Face and Body Moisturizer, 8 Fl Oz

   Best for: Dry to very dry skin that wants a plain, fragrance-free cream.

   The listing says this cream is formulated with hyaluronic acid, is ideal for dry to very dry skin, and has time-release MVE Delivery Technology for all-day hydration. It also says the cream is free of fragrance and oil, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and non-irritating. The title lists it for face and body. This link is the 8 fl oz size, and the brand sells larger ones.

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2. Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, Body & Face Moisturizer, 16 Oz Pump Dispenser

   Best for: Sensitive skin, and anyone who prefers a pump to a jar.

   The listing says this fast-absorbing cream is easy to spread, does not feel sticky, and has a mild, unscented formula with no gluten, fragrance, dye, lanolin, parabens, essential oils or other common irritants. It carries a National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. This link is the pump version. The same cream also comes in a tub, so check which one you are buying.

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3. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, Face & Body for Dry Sensitive Skin, 16oz

   Best for: Very dry, sensitive skin that needs a thick cream.

   The listing says this fragrance-free face and body cream is for dry to very dry skin, instantly replenishes and soothes dryness for 48 hours, and is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and free of parabens. It names glycerin among the ingredients. The listing does not say whether the 16 oz container is a jar or a pump, so look at the photos before you buy.

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4. Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Face Cream, Hyaluronic Acid, 1.7oz

   Best for: Dry skin that wants a light-feeling face cream in a small jar.

   The listing calls this a face cream for dry to normal skin that boosts moisture for lasting 24 hour hydration, with hyaluronic acid, a fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula that will not clog pores, and no fragrance. It is sold as a night cream, but the listing describes all-day hydration. The maker says it was clinically tested to be gentle on dry, sensitive skin. Packaging may vary.

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5. Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Recovery Cream, Sensitive Skin, 1.3 oz

   Best for: Skin that reddens or stings easily and needs a short ingredient list.

   The listing says this cream is fragrance-free and preservative-free, is for the face, neck and eye contour morning and evening, and soothes and calms skin that reacts strongly. The ingredient list it prints includes glycerin and squalane. The listing is for sensitive skin, and it describes the cream as sterile. It does not say how rich the cream feels, so it may be lighter than the tubs above.

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6. Clinique 3-Step Dramatically Different Moisturizing Hydrating Face Cream, 1.7 Fl Oz

   Best for: Dry skin, for women who prefer a department-store brand.

   The listing calls this a rich face moisturizer for dry skin types, formulated with skin-strengthening ingredients, with soothing hydration. It says the cream is allergy tested and 100% fragrance free. The listing does not name the ingredients or give a texture description beyond rich, so read the label if you are watching for a particular one.

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7. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, Intense Hydration, 2 oz

   Best for: Dry, sensitive skin, if you want a small size to try first.

   The listing describes a fast-absorbing, whipped, non-greasy cream for sensitive and dry skin, with colloidal oatmeal and ceramides, for face and body. It says the cream is free from fragrances, parabens, sulfates and mineral oil. Its hydration figure comes from the maker's own testing, which we did not check. Other sizes of this cream are sold, and this link is the 2 oz.

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8. Vaseline Jelly Jar, 13 Oz

   Best for: Very dry spots, if you want an ointment instead of a cream.

   The listing describes 100% pure, triple-purified petroleum jelly that is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-irritating, with the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. The AAD calls ointments better at holding water in skin than creams. The listing does not mention use on the face, and an ointment feels thick, so ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it suits your face.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best kind of moisturizer for very dry skin in your 70s?

The American Academy of Dermatology says to use an ointment instead of a cream when your skin feels very dry, because an ointment does a better job of holding water in your skin. Otherwise it recommends a creamy, fragrance-free moisturizer.

Why is my skin drier and thinner in my 70s?

The AAD says skin in the 60s and 70s can feel dry and irritated for many reasons, including that skin is thinner and loses water more easily. Medications and medical conditions can also play a role.

Should I put moisturizer on right after a bath or shower?

Yes. The AAD says to apply a creamy, fragrance-free moisturizer formulated for dry skin within 3 minutes of bathing, and again throughout the day, while a bit of water is still on your skin.

Is bath oil a good way to moisturize older skin?

The AAD says no. It warns that you increase your risk of slips and falls when you use bath oil to moisturize your skin, so it is best to avoid bath oil and use a cream or ointment after bathing instead.

How can I keep my skin from drying out indoors in winter?

The AAD says heating and air conditioning can strip humidity from the air, and that keeping indoor humidity between 45% and 60% can reduce dry, itchy skin. A humidifier can help when the air feels dry.

How we chose

This guide is desk research. We read the American Academy of Dermatology's advice for skin in your 60s and 70s and its moisturizer guide, then read each Amazon listing for the texture, container and ingredients it names. We did not test any of these products; the notes describe what each listing says, not how a cream feels or performs on your skin. We favored rich, fragrance-free creams, added one ointment, and left out scented products and night-only serums.

At time of writing (November 9, 2026), every "Check price on Amazon" button on this page went to an exact Amazon listing that was new and in stock. Sellers, sizes and packaging change, so confirm the details on the listing before you buy.

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology: How to care for your skin in your 60s and 70s
• American Academy of Dermatology: How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin
• American Academy of Dermatology: Caring for your skin in menopause
• American Academy of Dermatology: 10 skin care secrets for healthier-looking skin

Related guides

• Fragrance-free moisturizers: more scent-free options.
• Drugstore moisturizers for dry skin: everyday creams from the pharmacy aisle.
• Ceramide moisturizers: for skin that feels tight or raw.
• Cream cleansers for mature skin: a gentle wash before you moisturize.
• Face moisturizers for women over 60: lighter day creams for the decade before.