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The Best Moisturisers for Dry Winter Skin
By Edward Obeng and Gabriella Buckner - 1 year ago | Updated
The year is almost at an end. We’ve survived the showers of spring, enjoyed a few days of a heatwave in summer and are now seeing out the fickle weather of autumn. Just your typical year in Britain really.
But with the cold weather and harsh winds now here to stay, you’ve probably noticed your skin is getting a little drier. This change is down to dehydration, and it happens when there's a lack of water in the outer layer of your skin. Since this is not a matter of how much oil the skin produces, nobody is immune from these winter woes.
But don’t sweat it – we aren’t about to let you leave the house unless your skin is looking its absolute best.
After some intensive (but super fun) research, we’ve rallied up some of the best moisturisers for dry winter skin that will banish those icy blues from head to toe.
So without further ado, let's get down to it…
Why change moisturisers in winter?
If you normally use the same moisturisers all year round, you may be thinking 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Well, what if we told you that it mightbe broken, and the right winter moisturiser could fix it?
Well, maybe not broken but there are a few risks that come with braving the winter weather without the right protection. This includes:
- Stripped skin barrier
- Dehydration
- Redness and irritation
- Dry skin
You might not be able to see this difference on the surface, but in winter your complexion is screaming out for additional moisture and deeper hydration. Not to worry though, we've put together a list of the best winter moisturisers for dry skin, covering a range of concerns so you can easily make the switch this season.
Best Dermatologically-Tested Winter Dry Skin Creams
We want the best for our skin, especially in winter when it's really being put through the wringer. Going for a moisturiser that's been tested by dermatologists is a great way to get a product you know has been thoroughly researched and reviewed. Here's a couple of our faves to add to your winter skincare collection.
Dermalogica Age Smart Super Rich Repair
£92.88Sure, we appreciate a moisturiser that combats dryness, but do you know what we really appreciate? One that can turn back the clock, too. That's where the Dermalogica Age Smart Super Rich Repair steps in; its non-greasy texture retains the skin's water levels for a smooth, crease-free texture that boasts a glow of youthfulness.
CeraVe Moisturising Cream
£5.75 £6.00 (5% off)This moisturiser from everyone's favourite drugstore brand CeraVe is made especially for repairing dry to very dry skin, with its essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid blend that lock in moisture. And it just goes to show that dermatologically tested doesn't have to cost a pretty penny!
Best Rich Moisturisers for Dry Winter Skin
Trading in your lighter moisturiser for a heavier one in winter might be just what your dry skin needs. Here are a couple of our favourites so you can give your skin a real treat.
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturiser
£34.47Rich and creamy but non-greasy, this plant oil-powered moisturiser is intensely hydrating. Vitamin E and C protect you from environmental stressors and aloe vera soothes any irritation. This one's great if you've got eczema or rosacea too.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant
£16.91 £39.00 (57% off)Targeted at chapped and cracked skin, this moisturiser uses the beta-hydroxy petrolatum as well as vitamin E to calm inflammation, redness, rough patches and generally dry skin. You can even use this multi-tasker on hands, feet, lips and the dry ends of your hair, so we definitely recommend popping this one in your bag.
Best Lightweight Moisturisers for Dry Skin
If you have normal, combination or oily skin for most of the year and are just going through a bout of dryness during winter, you might not like using heavier creams. Don't worry - lighter moisturisers that soothe irritation can still do the job!
Avène Antirougeurs Day Soothing Emulsion SPF 30
£16.40 £20.50 (20% off)This light-wearing, super absorbable cream is a great pick, as Avène Thermal Spring Water and TRP-Regulin™ settles redness and pongamia oil balances your skin's microbiome. Your sensitive winter skin will look and feel happier (and so will you).
Clarins Hydra Essential Cooling Cream Gel
£36.91 £45.50 (19% off)You might be craving a steaming mug of hot chocolate to warm you up, but your irritated skin could do with some cooling down. This gel cream instantly soothes your skin, with Clarins' Anti-Pollution Complex designed especially for protection from harsh, dehydrating environments. You'll feel hydrated and refreshed in no time.
Best Organic Moisturisers for Dry Skin
Organic doesn't necessarily mean better, but these moisturisers are extremely effective for hydrating dry skin. Not to mention, there's the added benefit of ingredients that have been grown without pesticides, which is better for the planet!
Dr Hauschka Quince Day Cream
£2.95This quince wax-enriched moisturiser protects your skin from environmental pollutants as it restores lost moisture with jojoba, apricot and avocado oils for healthy, radiant skin all winter long.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Virgin Chia Seed Oil
£7.04 £8.05 (13% off)Using a pure oil in place of a regular moisturiser or in addition is a great way to give your dry skin a boost this winter, and we won't say no to a sustainably sourced one like this chia seed oil from The Ordinary. A godsend for dehydrated skin, it also firms to reduce the appearance of fine lines thanks to the abundance oflinoleic, oleic, palmitic andstearic acids in chia seeds.And you can use this one on your hair if it's also taken a beating in the winter wind!
Best Winter Moisturisers for Mature, Dry Skin
Harsh winters are kind to no one's skin, but if you're over 40 or so and your skin's more vulnerable to environmental aggressors, you'll want a moisturiser that does double duty for both signs of ageing and dryness.
Antipodes Diem Vitamin C Pigment-Correcting Water Cream
£28.00 £46.86 (41% off)Give your skin everything it's craving with this moisturiser from Antipodes. It's jam-packed with kakadu plum (with super high levels of vitamin C to brighten and boost collagen), peptides for neutralising pigmentation and bakuchiol (a retinol alternative) for stimulating cell turnover to improve skin's texture and tone.
DCL Peptide Plus Cream
£75.00 £124.00 (40% off)The seven anti-ageing peptides in this luxurious cream encourage collagen production for better skin elasticity and to minimise the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and loose skin. Plus, vitamin C reduces dark spots and hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps for firmer, more youthful results.
Best Winter Dry Skin Creams to Use at Night
Sometimes a day cream just doesn't cut it (and winter is one of those times). Slather on one of our favourite intensive, luxurious night creams to give your thirsty, weather-beaten skin a real boost, and wake up to a totally new you.
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream
£8.00 £10.00 (20% off)This thick moisturiser will help combat the extra moisture your skin loses overnight, delivering intense hydration with panthenol, vitamin E, niacinamide and sweet almond oil. You'll see softer skin with less irritation and sensitivity, thanks to the a strengthened skin barrier.
REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm
£36.80 £46.00 (20% off)Jam-packed with nourishing oils (think jojoba, almond, borage, linseed and olive oils), this night time moisturiser is intensely hydrating but also fast-absorbing so you don't get your pillow all greasy. Go to sleep with dry winter skin and wake up with a glowy, youthful complexion thanks to regenerative natural bio-actives in this cream.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream
£37.61This super-charged cream contains sodium hyaluronate for hydration, colloidal oatmeal for reduces flaking, dead skin and niacinamide to make the skin bouncy and refreshed. Wake up to revitalised and smooth skin.
It’s about time you achieve resilient, hydrated winter skin. If any of our best moisturisers tickle your fancy, go ahead and incorporate them into your skin care regime and feel their hydrating effects.
For a more indulgent skin care routine why not take a look The Best Hydrating Face Masks For Dry Skin and The Ultimate Guide to the Best Body Moisturisers?
Written by Gabriella Buckner
Gabriella is a junior content writer with a background in creative writing, content marketing and journalism. She’s passionate about all things makeup and skincare, but especially vegan and cruelty-free beauty that is effective and inexpensive.
