Reviewed: Pond's Dry Skin Cream Keeps Daily Hydration Simple

We put Pond's Dry Skin Cream to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

In the ever-growing skincare world, finding a reliable moisturizer that effectively combats dry skin can be a laborious task. Among the plethora of both new and old options, Pond's Dry Skin Cream has stood the test of time, earning a loyal following for its rich formula and ability to help skin retain moisture. Plus, it's an easy add-to-cart, priced at an unbeatable under $10 and available at most major drugstores.

Intrigued? Us too. To see what all the hype is about and why it remains a go-to choice for dryness, we put Pond's Dry Skin Cream to the test. Read on for my—and two editors'—conclusions.

Pond's Dry Skin Cream

$6 at Target

Pond's Dry Skin Cream

Best for: Normal, dry, and/or sensitive skin types.

Uses: A daily moisturizer for the face.

Potential allergens: Mineral oil

Price: $8

About the brand: Pond’s has been around since 1846 and is known for its affordable yet trusty drugstore skincare products designed to smooth and soften skin.

What We Like

• Absorbs easily into skin

• Provides subtle daily moisture

• Noticeably calmed rosacea on my chest

• Accessible price point

What We Don't Like

• Didn't moisturize as much as I'd hoped

• May irritate sensitive skin

• Strong fragrance

• Not Byrdie Clean

About My Skin: Sensitive With a Capital S

I’ve got the kind of sensitive skin that if I gently rub my earlobe or softly itch a scratch on my neck or chest, just a minute later it’s a deep, worrisome shade of red. Oh, and if I use a product that doesn’t agree with me? Pimples abound. It’s a delicate dance every single day, so even when I see that a product claims to be suitable for sensitive skin, I remain skeptical. Aside from that, I’ve got pretty typical combination skin; it's sometimes slightly dry after travel or if I’m dehydrated.

The Feel: Very Thick

The first thing you’ll notice about this moisturizer is how thick it is. But despite its density, the product absorbs into the skin quite quickly. Pond’s Dry Skin Cream comes in a jar with a screw cap, which is nothing fancy but makes it easy to ensure you’ve completely emptied the product out of the container, as opposed to squeezing a tube.

The Ingredients: Pared-Down and Simple

The ingredients are rather simple, but they will get the job done if you're after basic daily hydration: you’ve got classic emollients like mineral oil and go-to moisturizers like glycerin. I suppose the phrase "less is more" rings especially true with a product like this.

The Scent: An Acquired Taste

After scrolling through a few reviews on the internet for this product, I discovered that a lot of people don’t like the fragrance. I will say it’s fairly strong. But it oddly reminds me of my grandma, and thus, I enjoy the nostalgic chord it strikes.

The Results: Not Bad, but No Dramatic Improvement

After using Pond’s Dry Skin Cream for a few days, I noticed that my face was relatively unchanged. I did acquire a couple of small pimples on my forehead, but aside from that, it was neither a good nor bad outcome. But here’s the exciting part: I noticed an improvement in my décolletage. I have had rosacea on my chest for as long as I can remember, and it is consistently bumpy, red, and dull. I decided to give Pond’s Dry Skin Cream a go on this area of my skin, and the results were, again, not life-changing—but they were noticeable. In truth, I probably won’t use it on my face again simply because my skin is so finicky, and I don’t want to risk getting more petite pesky pimples, but this product may work better for you if you don't have the same degree of sensitivity.

More Reviews

Star Donaldson, Associate Social Media Director

"As someone who is acne-prone with normal to dry skin, I only use this cream on occasions when my skin feels super dry during the winter. It's thick and moisturizing, making it the perfect base to apply makeup. It doesn't clog my pores and has a light fragrance that feels nostalgic to me."

Abby Dupes, Associate Editor

"My skin falls on the dryer side of the skin type spectrum, especially in the winter time, so I'm used to heavier creams. However, this moisturizer felt more like a body cream to me and felt a little too thick on my face. I did see improvement in the dryness of my décolletage, so I would definitely use it on my chest and neck again."

The Value: Good

I can’t knock a cult-favorite moisturizer that’s less than $10. You can get a 6.5-oz. jar for just $6, which is a significantly lower cost per ounce than most moisturizers, so you really can't beat it if the product works well with your skin.

Similar Products: You've Got Options

• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: This drugstore buy from CeraVe is a good alternative if you want a fragrance-free moisturizer for dry skin. It's similar in value to Pond's. It’s loaded with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which work together to supercharge hydration and barrier health.
• e.l.f. Skin Daily Hydration Moisturizer: I’m a big fan of e.l.f.’s budget-friendly, cruelty-free products, and this lightweight moisturizer gives your skin a solid dose of hydration with ingredients like jojoba, aloe, and shea butter.

Final Verdict

We're always on board with a budget-friendly skincare moment, and Pond's Dry Skin Cream is a simple moisturizer that gets the job done. However, if you’re looking for something with high-impact results, you might want to look elsewhere. Everyone’s skin is different, and you won’t know until you try it, but this product's accessible price point makes it definitely worth a go if you think it might be a good fit for you.