When winter approaches, your skin craves hydration. And, that’s when the best winter face moisturizers come into play. These moisturizers are not mere creams; rather they are magical potions that quench the thirst of your dull, drab, dry, and flaky skin seamlessly. 

According to Dr. Anna Chacon, a certified dermatologist, “Face moisturizers are essential during winter to provide extra hydration and protect the skin from cold, dry air. It is a must-have skincare product to keep skin healthy.’

Chilling temperature might take a toll on your skin’s overall health, but with the right winter moisturizer for skin at your disposal, your skincare game will never go wrong. 

According to a research paper published in the National Library of Medicine, moisturizers help improve skin barrier repair and maintain your skin’s integrity, quality, texture, and overall appearance.

Based on our observations, these moisturizers act as humectants, emollients, and occlusives that increase the water content of the outermost layer of your skin. With ingredients like salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, fatty acids, shea butter, vitamin E, cocoa butter, lactic acid, ceramides, etc., they ensure that your skin is never deprived of nourishment. 

Today, you will come across an array of skincare products promising intense hydration that can be the saviors during the winter season. 

Come along as we discuss and review the finest moisturizers for dehydrated skin and get ready to welcome soft and highly nourished skin within a few days!

• 1
  Best Overall

  CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

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Our very first recommendation is CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream, which is developed by dermatologists. So, if you are dealing with eczema or extremely dull, dry, and dehydrated skin, then you ought to incorporate this cream into your winter skincare routine right away. We found it to be one of the best moisturizers for dry skin in winter as it can keep the skin hydrated for 24 hours. Plus, it is non-greasy, non-sticky, and also suitable for those who have sensitive, acne-prone, combination, skin. What’s more? You can use it as your daily moisturizer!

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and ceramides

Application method: Apply a sufficient quantity on the face and body. You can also use it as a hand cream daily.

2

Editor’s Pick

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

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The next on our list is Embryolisse’s Lait-Crème Concentré. What made us curate this winter moisturizer for face is its splendid French formula that is designed to keep the skin hydrated throughout the day. It is crafted from pure and natural ingredients that are highly effective for all skin types. On trying out the product, we found it to be quite the multi-tasker. You can use it as a cleansing milk, face mask, or even for after-sun care. All in all, this cream is the ultimate solution to attain smooth, soft, and supple skin during dry and windy winters. 

Key ingredients: Shea butter, aloe vera, beeswax, and soy protein 

Application method: Apply a sufficient quantity on clean, dry skin in the morning. 

Quick Tip:

You can also use this cream as your makeup primer and attain a smooth and hydrated base.

3

Most Cost-effective

Minimalist 10% Vitamin B5 Lightweight & Oil-free Face Moisturizer

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We tried Minimalist’s 10% Vitamin B5 winter facial moisturizer and experienced the soothing power of its key ingredients firsthand. The cream nourishes and repairs the skin deeply and targets skin concerns like extreme dryness, dehydration, and skin damage if any. It is just perfect for those who possess oily and combination skin as it is hypoallergenic and formulated at pH 5.0 to 6.0. What’s impressive? This moisturizer provides clear and fresh skin by inhibiting cellular free radical formation. 

Key ingredients: Zinc, copper, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, betaine. and magnesium 

Application method: Use it after cleansing, toning, and applying your serum. Take a little quantity and massage into the face and neck until it is fully absorbed.

4

Best for Everyday Use

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance

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We bet you will thoroughly enjoy the undeniable benefits and the luxurious feel of Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance moisturizer for cold weather. It is formulated especially to lock in sufficient hydration and enhance the skin’s overall moisture content. In addition, it supports skin barrier recovery and protects it from further damage. Well, that’s not all! It features a proven combination of barrier lipids that aids in enhancing the skin’s natural resilience.

Key ingredients: Bio Replenish Complex, hyaluronic acid, and prebiotic chlorella algae complex.

Application method: Apply over face and neck in light, upward strokes. Use in the morning as well as at night.

Quick Tip:

Cleanse your skin and prep it with a top-notch toner for optimal results.

5

Best for Combination Skin

TATCHA The Water Cream

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To keep your skin feeling fresh and hydrated even during extreme winter days, we recommend you try Tatcha’s The Water Cream. It is specially crafted to cater to the needs of highly dehydrated skin. What makes it the best winter moisturizer for combination skin is its oil-free formula and pore-refining botanicals. In addition, it works towards clarifying the skin by encouraging its natural turnover, leaving behind a healthy and youthful radiance. So, look no further and give your skin the TLC it deserves!

Key ingredients: Japanese wild rose and Hadasei-3, a trinity of green tea, rice, and algae

Application method: Scoop a pearl-sized amount of cream and massage it onto the face, and neck in upward strokes.

6

Best Non-greasy Texture

PCA SKIN Hydrating Collagen Cream for Face

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PCA SKIN’s Hydrating Collagen Cream is what we believe you should rely on to lend your skin what it craves! We are talking about nourishment and extra hydration! This winter moisturizer for dry skin is a fail-proof night cream with the potential to revolutionize your skincare game dramatically. Drawing from our experience, it is not just a cream, instead, it is a magical potion packed in a bottle. Infused with antioxidants, it will not only moisturize your skin but also soothe it for a healthy, radiant, and youthful-looking appearance. Last but not least, it is non-greasy and extremely light in weight!

Key ingredients: Shea butter, olive fruit oil, and sweet almond fruit extract

Application method: Apply after cleansing and toning. You can use it as a nighttime treatment as well as during the day, followed by SPF.

7

Best With Antioxidant Properties

Himalaya Nourishing Skin Cream

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Discover the power of herbs and natural ingredients with Himalaya’s top-notch Nourishing Skin Cream that is loaded with a dollop of benefits. This is indeed a good moisturizer for winter, especially for those who wish to safeguard their skin from dry weather, pollution, and other environmental elements. What we liked the most about this cream is its ability to reduce free radical damage and help skin cell regeneration. Secondly, it is lightweight, non-greasy, and suitable for normal to dry and dull skin. Since it is tested by a dermatologist, you can trust this skincare essential with closed eyes! We bet it won’t disappoint you!

Key ingredients: Aloe vera, ashwagandha, vitamin E

Application method: Apply the cream gently over your face and neck twice daily, after cleansing.

8

Best for Sensitive Skin

Naturopathica Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream

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This moisturizer from Naturopathica is one of the best winter moisturizers for sensitive skin. Based on our first-hand research, it is renowned for its ability to soothe dry and irritated skin. Additionally, it locks in hydration and protects the skin from further damage. So, if you wish to attain healthy, luminous, soft, supple, and youthful-looking skin, then this one has to be your ideal choice. Enriched with plant extracts, botanicals, and scientific ingredients, the hydrating cream delivers what it claims!

Key ingredients: Calendula extract, borage seed oil, and trehalose 

Application method: Apply a small amount of the cream over the face and neck using upward and outward movements. Apply it in the morning and at night over serum or after-treatment for better results.

9

Best Packaging

Le Domaine Luxury Face Cream

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Treat your skin to the soothing benefits and the luxurious hydrating properties of this facial cream for winter from Le Domaine. It promises to quench the thirst of your dry skin by deeply nourishing it with the antioxidant-rich ingredients mentioned below. Based on our extensive research, this is one of the finest anti-aging creams that not only hydrates the skin but also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Furthermore, with consistent use, you notice a significant improvement in your skin’s overall health and quality.

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and organic olive oil

Application method: Use it when signs of fatigue appear, or as a daily anti-aging treatment to protect against external aggressors.

That was our comprehensive list of the best winter moisturizers. Now, let us run you through a detailed buying guide.

Here are a few aspects that you should consider before splurging on the best winter face moisturizer:

Skin Type: Make sure that you analyze your skin type and concerns thoroughly before investing in the best face moisturizer for winter. This will help you understand what your skin requires. For those who possess sensitive skin, pick creams that feature a mild, gentle, and skin-friendly formula, such as the Naturopathica Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream. Likewise, for anyone who has oily, acne-prone, and combination skin, get your hands on moisturizers like CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Minimalist 10% Vitamin B5 Face Moisturizer to soothe your skin. Avoid picking products that are not meant for your skin type as it may worsen your skin concerns, if any. 

Ingredients: Now, let’s talk about ingredients! Look for the best facial moisturizers for winter that are infused with the goodness of hydrating and revitalizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe water, vitamin E, botanical extracts, fruit enzymes, shea butter, etc.

Speaking of ingredients, our contributor Dr. Chacon says, “Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides are commonly used hydrating ingredients in skincare products. So, these ingredients must be checked before choosing a face moisturizer.”

If you ask us, we highly recommend the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré which comes with pure and natural ingredients. Avoid moisturizers that contain any irritating ingredient, especially if you have sensitive skin. 

Formula: The next important aspect to consider is the formula! It is advisable to get your hands on some of the best winter moisturizers that are non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, clinically proven, and dermatologically tested. To name a few, you can splurge on Minimalist’s 10% Vitamin B5 Face Moisturizer which is free from parabens, sulfates, gluten, and other harsh chemicals. Plus, it features a non-irritating formula and soothes your skin to the fullest. 

Texture: Last but not least, deeply analyze the texture to get the best winter facial moisturizer for yourself. It is wise to snag creams that are light in weight, non-greasy, and non-sticky, like the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, especially if you have oily skin. Based on our experience, the smoother the texture, the easier the application process. 

After taking note of the above-mentioned aspects, get to know how to use one appropriately.

Following are a few of the steps that you need to follow for desirable results:

Step 1: Cleanse your face and neck with a top-notch cleanser or face wash.

Step 2: Begin applying your toner. 

Step 3: After the toner has penetrated and dried completely, apply a serum. 

Step 4: Once the serum dries, pour a pea-sized quantity of your moisturizer.

Step 5: Use the dot method and spread it across your face and neck in a circular motion. 

Step 6: Seal your skin by applying a sunscreen.

Tada, you are done!

Contributor: Dr. Anna Chacon, Dermatologist - MyPsoriasisTeam