The best occlusive creams - TOP 5 ranking in 2025
An occlusive cream is an essential element in daily skin care, especially during periods when weather conditions are unfavourable. Occlusion creams form a protective layer that shields the skin from external factors. They provide effective protection against moisture loss and help to regenerate the skin thanks to their rich texture. Our ranking shows the best occlusive creams that provide your skin with the right care and protection. By using these products, you can enjoy healthy, moisturised skin while protecting it from water loss and adverse external factors. However, this doesn't always have a positive effect on our complexion, so it's worth looking for the golden mean between protection and clogging your complexion. Check out our ranking and see which occlusive cream performed best.
The ranking factors we took into account were:
- Skin condition support
- Protective action
- Hydration
- Consistency
- Performance
- Price
- Composition
What ingredients to look for in good occlusive creams?
Jojoba oil: Due to its light texture and ability to penetrate the skin, jojoba oil is excellent at helping to create a protective barrier on the skin's surface, providing intense hydration and regulating the lipid balance.
Shea butter: It has occlusive properties that help retain moisture in the skin by forming a protective layer. It is a richly textured ingredient that effectively protects the skin from water loss and external factors.
Lanolin: It is a natural substance with excellent occlusive properties, forming a protective barrier on the skin that prevents excessive water evaporation. Lanolin therefore effectively moisturises and soothes the skin, providing adequate protection.
Plant extracts: Some plant extracts, such as aloe vera and calendula, have soothing and moisturising properties that can be helpful in the care of irritated skin. In addition, they can also assist in the formation of protective barriers, strengthening the skin's natural defences.
Squalane: This is a lightweight substance with an occlusive effect that moisturises the skin, forming a delicate protective layer. Squalane is easily absorbed by the skin, thus providing effective protection against moisture loss and external irritants.
Ceramides: support the skin's natural barrier to protect against moisture loss in support of good skin condition.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3): supports the skin barrier and smooths the skin surface. It contributes to its resistance to moisture loss and provides smoothing and improved skin texture.
Paraffin wax, petroleum jelly, mineral oils: these are ingredients with a strong occlusive action that create a strong barrier against external factors, but at the expense of negatively affecting the complexion. Applying them to the face in the long term causes blackheads and pimples, so it is better to avoid them by choosing an occlusive cream for frequent use.
Take a look at our ranking of the best occlusion creams:
Orphica Timeless anti-wrinkle day cream is a real breakthrough in wrinkle reduction, offering effective protection as an occlusive cream. Our testers enthusiastically rated this cream for its triple action, lightness and fast absorption. Formulated with Pro-Lift Complex™, abyssinian oil and vitamin E, it intensively conditions the skin for a more youthful appearance and elasticity. In addition, an SPF 20 filter protects the skin from harmful UV rays. Immediate hydration and regular use bring a noticeable increase in skin elasticity and tone. Although the price of the product is not the lowest, the effectiveness and results confirm its value. The Orphica Timeless occlusive anti-wrinkle day cream provides excellent support for the skin, and best results can be achieved when used in combination with the night variant.
Bioderma Atoderm Nutritive is a facial moisturiser that deserves to be ranked among occlusive creams. Its formula based on Shea butter and avocado extract provides the skin with essential nourishing, regenerating and soothing ingredients. In addition, the presence of petroleum jelly and glycerine provides intense hydration and lubrication, restoring the hydrolipidic balance of dry skin. Despite its effectiveness in moisturising, this cream may cause problems for those with a tendency to clog pores and leave an oily layer on the skin, making it impossible to use under make-up. Despite some drawbacks, testers noticed an improvement in their skin, especially in very dry areas. It is recommended to use it as a temporary support, due to its composition and greasiness, it works well as an occlusive cream, but not as a permanent part of daily skin care.
FeedSkin is a regenerating facial occlusive cream that deserves a mention in the ranking of occlusive creams. It is a versatile product, dedicated to daily use, especially after cosmetic treatments such as chemical peels or retinol. Its formula moisturises, regenerates and protects the skin, while being fragrance-free, which minimises the risk of irritation. The cream is not overly greasy, which is a plus, but it does form a protective layer, which can sometimes lead to clogged pores and the formation of imperfections. The glass jar is a plus, which reduces the amount of plastic. Unfortunately, the presence of PEG in the formulation may be a problem for some people with sensitive skin. Despite this, FeedSkin is a recommendable occlusive cream to crown your daily skincare routine.
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Cream is a popular cream developed in collaboration with dermatologists to provide safe skin care. Thanks to its ceramides and hyaluronic acid content, it effectively moisturises and lubricates the skin, strengthening its protective barrier. Unfortunately, its formulation is not natural, which may be a downside for some users. Testers also noted the formation of an oily film on the face after applying the cream, which makes it a poor performer as an occlusive cream. Although it moisturises dry skin well, it can cause difficulties when blending with other cosmetics due to its tendency to roll off. For these reasons, the CeraVe face moisturiser ranks just behind the podium in the ranking of occlusive creams.
Have A Nice Face by Veoli Botanica is a peptide face cream that promises intense hydration and natural UV protection. Thanks to hygroscopic peptide molecules from oat proteins, it penetrates the layers of the skin to fill in the defects in the hydrolipidic mantle. Natural antioxidants act to inhibit the ageing process caused by external factors, preserving the elasticity, softness and smoothness of the skin. The cream also has the characteristics of an occlusive cream, thanks to the presence of oat protein hydrolysate, which forms a moisturising layer that binds water to the epidermal surface. Unfortunately, some users have reported difficulties with absorption, a heavy texture. A downside is also the presence of alcohol and comedogenic substances such as glycerol stearate and isostearate.
