Winter brings with it the annual battle against the fluctuating external factors that turn your skin into a dehydrated shadow of its former glowing self. So while we bundle up to keep warm in the chilly weather, we also have to take extra care of our skin. But why exactly does this time of year have such an adverse impact on our complexions?
“Cool air, low humidity, cold winds and moving from warm central heating into the cold and back again can significantly dehydrate our skin,” Dr Johanna Ward, founder of ZENii Skincare, explains. “The main issue in autumn and winter is skin dehydration or lack of water. This is different to skin dryness, which refers to skin that lacks lipids or oil. Dehydration is when there is a lack of water in the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin. It can result in anything from sensitive skin and red cracked lips to rough, dry and flaky skin.”
We look to the finest day creams, moisturisers and oils to pump life into our skin, while often forgetting that not all skin is the same. A heavy cream may work for the dry among us, but overpower the oily. So where should we start when tackling our skin this season? “It’s critical to slough dead, dehydrated, dry skin,” says Jamie O’Banion, cofounder of BeautyBio, who pinpoints microneedling as a potential treatment to try. If that thought makes you wince, employ skincare acids, like AHAs and BHAs. And then once you’ve prepped the skin? “Look for a moisturiser with moisture-binding humectants (which retain and preserve moisture in the skin) because they are especially helpful to soften skin’s texture and to keep skin looking plump, firm and dewy.”
“Add in a powerful serum hydrator like hyaluronic acid to keep the skin moist and hydrated — it’s a powerful humectant, which means it draws water up from the deeper layers of the skin into the more superficial layers,” Dr Ward adds. “It uses the water in your body to deeply hydrate the skin. Changing your daily products — just as you would change your wardrobe — is beneficial in the cooler months. No matter what your skin type, rehydrating the skin needs to be your focus.”
Now we’ve got the basics down, click through to find the moisturisers packed with hydrating acids, vitamins and serums for every skin type, from extremely dry through to combination, via sensitive and oily.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by us. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, we may earn a commission.
This article was originally published in December 2020 and has since been updated.
Moisturisers For Dry Skin
“If you have dry skin you are lacking oil rather than water, but in winter most skins lack both,” Dr Ward explains. Here, it’s all about hydrating skin with deep-down moisture.
Beauty Bay Colloidal Oatmeal + Oat Lipid Rich Moisturiser, £9.50
Oat lipid is the star ingredient in this affordable, vegan moisturiser by Beauty Bay. It’s bursting with ceramides, which dermatologists rate for repairing the skin’s barrier and moisturising on a much deeper level, banishing parched patches, flaky skin and tightness in the process. Stockpile it.
By Beauty Bay Colloidal Oatmeal + Oat Lipid Rich Moisturiser, $, available at Beauty Bay
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion, £15.50
With hydrating ceramides, which repair the skin’s barrier, and hyaluronic acid to keep moisture on lockdown in the skin, this dermatologist-developed moisturiser makes a noticeable difference after just one application. Plus, it’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion, $, available at Boots
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream, £24.50 £23.10
Packed with hyaluronic acid and thermal spa water, this paraben-free, hypoallergenic hit from Vichy works wonders for those with scaly skin come winter.
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream, $, available at Feel Unique
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream, £67
If you’re looking for a slightly thicker cream that will leave your face plump and hydrated without suffocating your skin, look no further than Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream. Featuring hyaluronic acid and Okinawan algae, this rich moisturiser is formulated with parched skin in mind and won’t clog your pores, as it’s non-comedogenic.
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream, $, available at Space NK
Moisturisers For Combination Skin
Despite sometimes having the best of both worlds, during the winter “combination skin will experience side-effects of both dry and oily skin simultaneously in different skin regions,” says O’Banion. Amp up your skincare regime with acids, but also employ hydrating masks and overnight treatments.
Elemis Superfood Day Cream, £46
This is the ultimate day cream for skin prone to oily patches and dryness. It absorbs quickly but leaves skin feeling soft and supple all day, while matcha tea and ginger provide antioxidant protection against the environment, such as pollution. Hello, dewy, fresh, glowing skin.
Elemis Superfood Day Cream, $, available at Elemis
Origins GinZing Ultra Hydrating Energy-Boosting Cream Moisturiser, £31
This cream is super lightweight (so no shiny nose by lunchtime) but hydrating enough to tackle dry cheek areas. Ginseng and coffee beans boost radiance all day long.
Origins GinZing Ultra Hydrating Energy-Boosting Cream, $, available at Look Fantastic
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, £57.29
This gel-textured moisturiser from Korean beauty brand Belif is featherlight but bursting with glycerin and ceramides that flood the deeper layers with moisture, leaving skin looking plump and feeling fresh. Plus, its non-sticky, non-greasy finish works great under makeup as a primer.
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, $, available at stylevana
Medik8 Advanced Night Restore, £59
This brilliant night cream is full of antioxidants from saskatoon berries and dragon fruit extract, as well as a unique combination of ceramides that emulate the skin’s natural lipid barrier. Perfect for slathering on while skin repairs overnight.
Medik8 Advanced Night Restore, $, available at Medik8
Moisturisers For Oily Skin
Contrary to popular belief, sebum production doesn’t slow down in the winter months. “Oily skin can become congested even in the winter,” a REN Skincare spokesperson explains, “which can subsequently lead to breakouts and redness.”
The answer? Gels, serums and light creams to tackle dehydration without overloading the skin.
Lixirskin Universal Emulsion, £36
Lixirskin’s smart moisturiser uses a unique emulsifying technique to deliver molecular water to the skin and boost its ability to retain it. The hook? Once applied, there’s minimal oil throughout the day, meaning makeup stays put and shine is nowhere to be seen — all while giving you a hydration hit.
Lixirskin Universal Emulsion, $, available at Feel Unique
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream, £32
This oil-free formula from Kiehl’s contains micronised amino acid to help control sebum production, while Antarcticine provides the ultimate protection against dryness. The lightweight formula will keep shine at bay and also hydrate your skin all day long.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream, $, available at Kiehl’s
REN Flash Hydro-Boost Instant Plumping Emulsion, £36
REN’s emulsion-based skin treatment boosts hydration without the heaviness of most creams. Hyaluronic acid maximises water levels, while xylitol keeps skin looking plump.
REN Clean Skincare Flash Hydro-Boost Instant Plumping Emulsion, $, available at REN Clean Skincare
Moisturisers For Sensitive Skin
“Sensitive skin can become itchy, flaky, irritated and flushed during the winter months,” O’Banion says. To tackle this, “a viscous, emollient moisturiser helps provide a barrier to protect easily inflamed skin. It’s also important to use a serum loaded with antioxidants to help calm irritated, sensitive skin.”
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluid Moisturiser, £19
Recommended by dermatologists, this moisturiser softens rough skin with shea butter and keeps moisture under lock and key thanks to glycerin, soothing itching and inflammation almost instantly.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluid Moisturiser, $, available at Look Fantastic
Pai Skincare The Anthemis Chamomile & Rosehip Soothing Moisturiser, £39
This calming but fresh formula looks after sensitive skin with chamomile, while rosehip gives skin a dewy glow. The cream is lightweight and doesn’t leave any residue before makeup.
Pai Skincare The Anthemis Chamomile and Rosehip Soothing Moisturiser, $, available at Cult Beauty
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, £32
Colloidal oatmeal works to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier while shea butter and ceremides soothe any dry, rough skin you may develop in the wintertime. Plus, it’s designed with sensitive and eczema-prone skin types in mind.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, $, available at Look Fantastic
Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream Moisturiser, £19
This skin-softening, daily moisturiser restores the skin’s depleted moisture levels. With anti-irritating thermal spring water, it tackles the effects of the elements, delivering a radiant and supple complexion.
Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream Moisturiser, $, available at Boots
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