When cold weather rolls around you should be tweaking more than just your wardrobe — your skin care routine needs adjusting, too. One of the biggest challenges that comes with colder temps, whipping winds, and dry indoor heat is keeping thirsty skin hydrated. But having the best lotions for winter in your beauty arsenal can help keep your skin healthy and hydrated all season long.
While the change in seasons affects everyone’s skin differently, there are many factors that cause dryness this time of the year. For starters, you’re showing less skin, so you may be less apt to slather on the moisturizer like you did in the summer. Of course, there’s also the fact that you’re constantly going from one extreme temperature to the next — and if you have dry radiator heat, that's a major culprit right there. Another perpetrator is standing around in a hot shower or bath because you’re cold, since hot water strips your skin of its natural moisture.
If you're experiencing a dry or tight sensation, especially if that's coupled with flaking, there's no doubt your skin could use some extra moisture. Look for products that have a combination of oils as well as polymers, dimethicone, or glycerin to prevent water loss from the skin. And timing matters: Apply your moisturizer right after your bath or shower when the skin is still damp so it can help lock that moisture in before it evaporates.
Whether you’re worried about your face, hands, body, or all of the above, these moisturizers for winter will keep your skin soft and supple all season long.
1An Ultra-Rich Cream For Body & Face That's Great For Eczema
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream, $13, Amazon
While you don’t have to have eczema to reap the benefits from this cream (though it was awarded a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association with a rating of five out of five stars), this fragrance-free, dermatologist-recommended hydrator is great for anyone suffering from severely dry skin during the winter months. The rich, dye-free formula soothes red, cracked, itchy skin in need of a serious moisture boost.
2A Facial Moisturizer That Restores & Protects Against UV Rays
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, $20, Amazon
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you don't need to protect yourself from UV rays — the sun is still out, after all. This facial moisturizer incorporates SPF 30 into its ultra-hydrating formula that consists of prebiotic thermal water (to control the amount of healthy microorganisms on the skin’s surface), and hydrating ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin.
3A Cult-Favorite Facial Moisturizer That Hydrates For 26 Hours Without Feeling Sticky
belif Korean Cosmetics The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb, $34, Amazon
This long-lasting face cream promises 26 hours of moisture due to the addition of comfrey leaf — a popular source of allantoin, a natural compound known for its moisturizing and softening abilities. Reviewers love how it hydrates without feeling heavy or sticky.
4A Concentrated Hand Cream That Repairs & Protects
O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream, $11, Amazon
There’s a reason why this hand cream has close to 7,800 positive reviews — it works quickly to treat extremely dry, cracked hands. In fact, it’s been clinically proven to instantly boost moisture levels, create a protective layer on the skin's surface, and help prevent further moisture loss. Reviewers also rave how it heals painful cracks in a matter of days.
5A Night Cream That Calms A Red, Sensitized Complexion
Mario Badescu Chamomile Night Cream, $20, Amazon
Applying a restorative night cream in the winter is key because it’s when you’re getting some shuteye that the skin regenerates and repairs itself. This gentle formula infused with chamomile and vitamin A softens and soothes a dry, irritated complexion, making it a perfect choice after a day on the slopes.
6A Rich Reparative Lotion For Face & Body That Absorbs Fast
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, $29, Amazon
This ultra-rich cream is comprised of a slew of active ingredients that cater to parched, sensitized skin. Colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, and eucalyptus oil heal and soothe, ceramides and glycerin hydrate, and a proprietary antioxidant booster guards against free radical damage. Despite its thickness, reviewers love how it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue.
7An Unassuming Hand Cream That Softens & Provides Intense Hydration
Camille Beckman Glycerine Hand Therapy, $17, Amazon
Don’t be fooled by this unassuming looking hand cream. This reviewer favorite has been around for over 20 years — and for good reason. The glycerin-rich formula made with Vitamin E, aloe vera, almond oil, and botanical extracts melts into the skin to administer deep, long-lasting hydration. Fun fact: To provide income for stay-at-home mothers, the tiny rosebuds, which top many products, are hand-tied in the local Idaho community where the cream is produced.
8A Light All-Over Lotion For Face, Body, & Even Hair
KLAIRS Supple Preparation All-Over Lotion, $27, Amazon
This all-over jojoba oil lotion — infused with an abundance of hydrating and reparative fruit and plant extracts — proves a formula doesn’t always have to be thick to be effective. It absorbs quickly to deliver optimal moisture without a greasy or heavy feel.
9A Hypoallergenic Face Cream That's Safe For Sensitive Skin
Bioderma Sensibio Rich Cream, $20, Amazon
Any time of the year can be tricky for someone with sensitive skin, but winter definitely puts a sensitized complexion to the test. This patented formula works to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory molecules so the skin is less likely to be irritated by environmental factors. The hypoallergenic formula is fragrance-free.
10A Soothing Body Butter Made With Rose Clay & Shea Butter
Nourish Organic Rejuvenating Rose Butter, $12, Amazon
Along with providing a mega-dose of moisture, this unique body butter incorporates rose clay to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria in an effort to promote healthy skin regeneration. More traditional — but not less important — nourishing body butter ingredients include Fair Trade Certified shea butter and rosehip seed, sunflower seed, and coconut oils.
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