How to Choose an Aloe Vera Cream for Dry Skin

For dry skin, look for an aloe vera cream rather than a thin gel, with aloe vera listed first on the ingredient label and, if you can, certified organic aloe vera. If your skin is sensitive, choose a fragrance-free version. Then pick the size and container (jar or pump) you'll actually use, and read the money-back terms before you buy.

Corium 21 makes this page; we make Corium 21. We've kept this guide fair: the checklist works for any brand, and facts about other brands come from their own websites, linked in Sources below.

The quick checklist

• Aloe first. Aloe vera should be the first ingredient on the label.
• Certified organic aloe. Look for a certified organic aloe ingredient, not just the word "organic".
• A cream, not a gel. Dry skin usually wants the extra oils a cream carries.
• Fragrance-free if your skin is sensitive. "Fragrance-free" and "unscented" are not the same thing.
• A jar or a pump, in a size you'll use. Buy the format that fits where you keep it.
• A clear guarantee. Check the days, whether opened jars count, and whether you have to ship anything back.

1. Check where aloe sits on the label

Why the first ingredient matters

In the US, cosmetic labels list ingredients in descending order of predominance.¹ The first ingredient is the one there's the most of.

On a label, aloe vera usually appears as "aloe barbadensis leaf juice". That is its standard ingredient name.

Read the label, not the front of the box

"With aloe" on the front can mean a little aloe or a lot. The ingredient panel on the jar tells you where it actually sits.

If aloe vera is first, the cream is built around it. If it's near the end, aloe is a small part of the formula.

2. Look for certified organic aloe vera

The FDA doesn't define "organic" for cosmetics. The USDA's National Organic Program sets the definition and certifies agricultural ingredients.²

So the word "organic" alone tells you less than a certified organic ingredient does. A certified organic aloe has been through that program.

Corium 21 uses certified organic aloe vera as its first ingredient.

3. Choose a cream over a gel or lotion for dry skin

A gel is often water-based and feels lighter on the skin. A cream is thicker and has more oil than a lotion or gel, which makes it more hydrating.⁴

For dry skin, dermatologists suggest a cream or an ointment rather than a lotion.⁵

An aloe cream gives you both: the aloe, plus the oils and moisture-holding ingredients that keep skin feeling soft for longer. For a closer look, see aloe vera cream vs gel, why very dry skin does better with a cream, and aloe vera cream vs petroleum jelly.

4. Decide on fragrance-free or scented

For dry, sensitive skin, dermatologists recommend products labeled "fragrance-free".⁵

"Unscented" is different. An unscented product can still contain fragrance ingredients added to mask other smells.³

If you like a light scent and your skin is happy with it, a scented cream is a fine choice. If you're not sure, start fragrance-free.

Corium 21 comes in Classic Fragrance and Fragrance Free. Fragrance Free is the same formula, with the fragrance left out.

5. Jar or pump, and what size

Jar or pump

A jar makes it easy to scoop a thicker layer for heels and elbows at bedtime. A pump is tidy and one-handed, which suits a spot by the sink.

Size

A bigger size only makes sense if you'll use it. Compare the cost per ounce on each brand's own site, and think about how much you use in a day.

Corium 21 customers tell us they just use a dab. A little bit goes a long way. An 8-oz jar is typically a 4-6 month supply of daily use.

Corium 21 sizes

Every size has the same formula.

• Corium 21 8 oz jar
• The Essential Duo (two 8 oz jars), The Signature Trio (three) and The Complete Collection (four)
• The Quart (32 oz), with a pump
• The Gallon (128 oz), with a pump

If you buy the Quart or the Gallon, you can refill a smaller jar from it to keep in a bag or at your desk.

6. Check the guarantee before you buy

Money-back terms differ more than you might expect. Before you buy, check four things:

• How many days you have.
• Whether an opened, used jar still counts.
• Whether you have to ship the product back, and who pays for that.
• Which sizes are left out.

Corium 21's 90-day promise covers opened jars and every size, including the Quart and the Gallon, and you keep the jar. It covers the product price, one refund per customer; Free Samples aren't covered. Read Our Promise for the details.

Aloe-first creams to compare

Corium 21 makes this page; we make Corium 21.

These are three aloe-first creams sold online in jars. We make one of them. Each row uses the brand's own website, and every fact about another brand links to its source.

Listed alphabetically; not a ranking.

How to use an aloe cream on very dry hands, heels and elbows

• After washing. Smooth a small amount on while your skin is still a little damp. Moisturizer spreads more easily on damp skin and helps hold that water in.⁴
• Through the day. Reapply when your skin feels dry. Dermatologists suggest moisturizing several times a day.⁵
• At bedtime. Put a thicker layer on heels and elbows, then pull on cotton socks or gloves.
• Face and body too. The same cream works as an everyday moisturizer from head to toe.

Trying a new cream? Try it on a small patch first. For children under 2, check with a doctor before using.

More routines: dry hands and dry heels.

What one customer told us

"I had very dry skin, especially on my face. I started using this product and my skin is moist and smooth." Harriet G.

Try before you buy

The simplest way to choose is to feel a cream on your own skin.

Corium 21 Free Samples are two small jars, one Classic Fragrance and one Fragrance Free. The samples are free; you pay shipping. Limit one per customer.

Questions? Call (800) 319-5114, and you'll talk to a real person.

Questions people ask

Is aloe vera cream good for dry skin?

Yes. An aloe vera cream hydrates and softens dry skin. For dry skin, a cream holds moisture on the skin longer than a thin gel, because it carries more oil.⁴

Is aloe vera good for extremely dry skin?

For extremely dry skin, choose aloe in a cream rather than a gel. Apply it to damp skin after washing, and use a thicker layer at night on the driest spots.

What should I look for in an aloe vera cream?

Look for aloe vera listed first on the label, certified organic aloe, a cream texture, fragrance-free if your skin is sensitive, a size and container you'll use, and clear money-back terms.

Is aloe vera cream better than gel for dry skin?

For dry skin, a cream is usually the closer fit. A gel feels lighter and is mostly water, while a cream has more oil, which makes it more hydrating.⁴ Read more in aloe vera cream vs gel.

What does "certified organic aloe vera" mean?

It means the aloe ingredient was certified under the USDA's National Organic Program, which defines "organic" for agricultural ingredients.² Corium 21 uses certified organic aloe vera as its first ingredient.

Is there a fragrance-free aloe vera cream?

Yes, several brands make one. Corium 21 Fragrance Free is the same formula as Classic, with the fragrance left out.

Which is the best cream for very dry skin?

There isn't one answer for everyone. Dermatologists suggest a cream or an ointment for dry skin.⁵ Use the checklist above to choose one that fits your skin and your routine.

Who makes Corium 21?

Trusted since 1994. Family-owned in Oregon. Call (800) 319-5114, and you'll talk to a real person.

Sources

Brand facts come from each brand's own website.

Corium 21 facts: Refund policy, Our Promise, Ingredients and Free Samples.

InfiniteAloe is a trademark of its owner; Corium 21 is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Hawaiian Moon is a trademark of its owner; Corium 21 is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.