If you’re using actives like tretinoin, azelaic acid, or niacinamide – and your skin is starting to feel tight, flaky, or just a little mad at you – you need a moisturiser that knows how to play support crew. Enter the Skin + Me Rich Moisturiser for Dry to Normal Skin. It’s part of the full Skin + Me system, designed to work alongside their personalised Daily Doser and Cleanser. But even on its own, this moisturiser is meant to calm your skin down, keep it hydrated, and strengthen your barrier without making a fuss.
Now, I’ll be honest: when I first saw it, I wasn’t expecting much. The packaging is simple. The formula looks basic. And I’ve tried enough “gentle” moisturisers to know that a lot of them either sit on your skin doing nothing or feel like greasy soup. But after using it consistently for a few weeks – through retinoid irritation, colder days, and some unexpected dry patches – I’ve got thoughts. If you’re wondering whether this moisturiser is actually worth the hype (or at least worth keeping in your routine), keep reading.
Key Ingredients in the Skin + Me Rich Moisturiser (Dry to Normal Skin): What Makes It Work?
1.5% BIOIDENTICAL TRI-CERAMIDE BLEND
Ceramides are the stuff your skin barrier is made of. When your face is dry, flaky, or just acting up, chances are it’s because your skin barrier is a bit wrecked – and you’re probably low on ceramides. This formula has three types (EOP, NP, AP), and they’re bioidentical, which just means your skin recognises them and knows exactly what to do with them.
Basically, they help seal everything in. Think of it like patching up holes in a wall so water doesn’t leak out. Without ceramides, your skin just can’t hold onto hydration properly, so this blend helps keep moisture in and irritants out. It’s the boring but essential part of your routine, like the grout in your bathroom tiles.
Related: Are Ceramides The Key To Healthy Skin?
5% UREA
Urea is one of those ingredients that sounds weird but works. It’s not just hydrating. It also helps smooth out texture by gently softening dead skin so it can flake off without drama. If your skin feels rough or bumpy (especially from using retinoids), this helps.
At 5%, it’s strong enough to do something but not so strong that you’ll start peeling or stinging. It just makes your skin feel… better. Less scaly. More alive. Bonus: it helps your skin take in the rest of the formula better too, so everything else gets to do its job properly.
1% SQUALANE
Squalane is like your skin’s version of a comfy hoodie. It’s lightweight, it’s non-greasy, and it makes your skin feel instantly better without smothering it. Your skin naturally makes squalene (with an “e”), but that version goes off pretty quickly. This version (squalane) is way more stable and just as effective.
At 1%, it’s not meant to be a facial oil replacement, but it’s enough to lock in moisture and stop your skin from feeling stripped. It’s also great if you’re using actives that make your skin more sensitive or reactive. It gives a little cushion between you and the outside world.
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
- Aqua (Water): The base. Just helps dissolve and mix all the other ingredients so they actually work on your skin.
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: A lightweight emollient made from coconut oil. Softens skin and helps the formula feel smooth.
- Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter: Rich in fatty acids. Nourishes dry skin, locks in moisture, and soothes irritation.
- Glycerin: A humectant that pulls water into the skin. Keeps it plump and hydrated.
- PEG-100 Stearate: Emulsifier – helps oil and water mix. Also gives the cream a creamy feel.
- Glyceryl Stearate: Another emulsifier and skin softener. Helps moisturisers spread nicely and feel silky.
- Isoamyl Laurate: A silicone alternative that makes the product feel smooth and light. Adds slip without greasiness.
- Cetearyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol that moisturises and stabilises the formula.
- Saccharide Isomerate: A sugar-derived humectant that keeps skin hydrated for up to 72 hours. Binds to skin like a magnet. Very gentle.
- Betaine: Hydrating and anti-inflammatory. Helps the skin hold onto water and stay calm.
- Allantoin: Soothing, calming, and helps skin recover from irritation. Reduces redness and softens texture. Super gentle.
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E): Antioxidant. Protects skin from environmental stress and fights free radicals.
- Sodium Hyaluronate: The salt form of hyaluronic acid. Pulls water into the skin and makes it look plumper.
- Phytosphingosine: Helps build the skin barrier and calm inflammation. Also has mild antibacterial properties.
- Cholesterol: Works with ceramides to restore and maintain your skin barrier. Key for dry or damaged skin.
- Carbomer: Thickener. Gives the product that gel-cream texture. Doesn’t do much for your skin but makes it feel nice to apply.
- Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch: Absorbs excess oil and gives a more matte finish. Good for preventing greasy residue.
- Xanthan Gum: Natural thickener that keeps the formula stable.
- Isoamyl Cocoate: Lightweight emollient that softens skin and adds slip. Makes the product feel silky.
- Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate: Helps ingredients absorb better and improves the texture. Mild and skin-friendly.
- Disodium EDTA: A stabiliser that keeps the product from reacting with minerals in tap water. Inert and generally safe.
- BHT: Antioxidant that prevents the formula from going rancid. Considered safe in small amounts.
- Phenoxyethanol: Preservative. Prevents bacteria and mold. C
- Benzyl Alcohol: Another preservative.
- Ethylhexylglycerin: Boosts the power of preservatives and also hydrates skin.
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
Lightweight, creamy, and smooth. It’s not one of those whipped, cloud-like moisturisers, but it spreads easily and sinks in without much rubbing. It feels rich enough to comfort dry patches but not so thick that it clogs pores or feels like a waxy film. Basically, it plays nice with makeup, sunscreen, and serums.
Fragrance
Zero. Nada. Zilch. If your skin gets cranky at the mere thought of fragrance, this one’s safe. There’s no perfumey scent or lingering residue. It smells like… nothing. Which is a good thing.
How To Use It
Use it as your final step in your morning or evening skincare routine (or both). If you’re using a Daily Doser, this goes after that. And if you’re using heavier treatments at night (like tret), this moisturiser works great as a buffer or a sealant layer.
I found that a pea-sized amount is enough for my face, but you can layer it if your skin’s feeling particularly dry or tight. It’s flexible that way.
Packaging
Simple and functional. It comes in a white and yellow squeezy tube with a flip cap. Easy to travel with, no pumps to clog, and you can cut it open to get every last drop out. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done – and the matte finish on the tube actually feels nice in your hand.
Performance & Personal Opinion
It’s not one of those creams that tries to do too much. It’s not anti-aging, it’s not pretending to resurface your skin or make you glow like a glazed doughnut. But when it comes to dry, sensitive, barrier-compromised skin, this stuff is solid gold. It does what it says on the tube: it hydrates, it soothes, and it doesn’t interfere with anything else you’re using.
I was testing this while on retinoids, which is basically a guaranteed way to piss off your skin for a few weeks. And during that purging phase, when my face was flaky, tight, and just… annoyed, this moisturiser was a game-changer. No stinging, no redness, no drama. It felt like a soft layer of comfort that let my skin heal without suffocating it.
There’s no weird pilling, no film left behind, and it layers beautifully with sunscreen or makeup. It’s also one of the few moisturisers I’ve found that actually feels rich enough for dry skin but doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. That’s a hard combo to get right.
It’s not going to reverse fine lines or boost collagen, and if you’re looking for glow or anti-aging perks, this isn’t the one. But if your priority is calming your skin down, rebuilding your barrier, and getting rid of that dry, tight feeling – or if you’re simply using retinoids and want a basic moisturiser that gets along with it – this is one of the best moisturisers I’ve tried for that. Hands down. It’s a staple I’d keep around for winter, post-retinoid flare-ups, or anytime my skin just needs a break from doing too much.
What I Like About Skin + ME Rich Moisturizer (Dry to Normal Skin)
- No fragrance or irritants. Great for sensitive skin
- Pairs well with actives – especially prescription-strength ones
- Hydrating without being greasy
- Simple, no-nonsense formula
- Travel-friendly packaging
What I DON’T Like About Skin + ME Rich Moisturizer (Dry to Normal Skin)
- Can feel a bit basic. If you like sensorial, luxe-feeling moisturisers, this one might feel underwhelming
- Doesn’t have anti-aging properties.
Who Should Use This?
- Anyone with dry to normal skin who are using active ingredients (retinoids, azelaic acid, etc.)
- Anyone who wants a barrier-repairing moisturiser without extra fluff
- Sensitive skin types who need a no-frills, safe bet
- If you’ve got oily skin, it might be too rich, but Skin + ME also has a lighter version for oilier types
Does Skin + ME Rich Moisturizer (Dry to Normal Skin) Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Replenish and protect your skin barrier with this emollient-rich moisturiser – designed to complement your personalised treatment. | True. |
| Packed with nourishing ingredients, it leaves skin feeling soft and smooth – day in, day out. | True. |
Price & Availability
£21.99 (with shipping included) at Boots and Skin + Me
The Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you’re already using Skin + ME’s treatment plan and you’re tired of playing skincare chemist, this is a great companion product. It’s simple, effective, and keeps your skin barrier happy – especially if you’re on tret or any exfoliating routine.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
