When winter starts turning your skin into a dry crust, you’d think a little extra moisturizer would do the trick. An extra doll might feel good in the moment, but for me it’s a quick fix that doesn’t last. After a few hours, that dry and itchy feeling would return and since I couldn’t stick my face in a humidifier all day, I decided to find out if my moisturizer was missing. As it turns out, there’s one key element that all the best winter moisturizers for dry skin have in common: foundation.
Lotions are lovely, especially when it comes time to brighten things up during the warmer months, but the lotions and oils are much richer. Their formula is also more likely to have winter skin care hero such as soothing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane or niacinamide, all of which help lock in moisture and protect skin.
And since I know I’m not alone with my winter skin care struggles, I gathered recommendations from the Camillie Styles editors. The following moisturizers nourished, brightened and plumped our skin back to life like dew.
WHY I LOVE IT: When it comes to facial moisturizers, I want to moisturize without being overly thick (right people?). This cream is lightweight while keeping my skin feeling visibly moisturized. I also consciously seek out products with squalane to try to keep my skin as soft and smooth as possible. I’m visiting family in New England right now and this moisturizer is literally My cold weather, winter skin protection. – Isabelle Eyman, Contributing Editor
WHY I LOVE IT: I tried this for a cooperation with Olay, and I’ve been hooked ever since. It feels incredibly rich (hence the name), yet somehow never feels greasy and is completely smooth under makeup. Packed with Vitamin B3 + Peptides, it provides instant comfort to parched skin. – Camille Styles, Editor-in-Chief
WHY I LOVE IT: When I want an upgrade, I use this nutrient-rich moisturizer. We’re talking vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, Superoxide Dismutase (safely absorbs harmful free radicals), Copper Tripeptide Growth Factor, and glycerin (repairs dry/damaged skin). I love the formula, texture and smell — everything about this feels super luxurious and is exactly how a real moisturizer feels and works. I promise you won’t be disappointed with this. – Sacha Strebe, Deputy Editor
WHY I LOVE IT: This thing is magic and my best friend during the cold winter months. I have naturally dry skin, so I’m always on the lookout for a rich moisturizer that I can apply at night and wake up the next morning with smooth, flake-free skin. This moisturizer is velvety smooth and more moisturizing than any other I’ve tried. When I’m in the mountains, I usually put some on before going out during the day to protect my sensitive skin from the cold air and sunburn. – Senior Producer Michelle Nash
WHY I LOVE IT: This beautiful cream is so rich that I really can only Use it during the winter months. Augustinus Bader means business when it comes to moisturizing, but this cream is also packed with the brand’s patented hyaluronic acid and TFC8 to help stimulate cell renewal. It’s a waste, but it lasts forever and looks great on your vanity. – Caitlin Clark, Contributing Editor
WHY I LOVE IT: I spend a lot of time in the mountains in arid climates — the burning wind combined with my already dry skin is killer! My whole face flaked for a week after a day of skiing until I discovered this amazing balm. It’s thick and protective without being greasy and thanks to vitamin C it’s super healing if damage has already been done. I love it, and I really do need it to pass a New Mexican winter. – Lauren Zielinski Contributing Editor / Women’s Health
WHY I LOVE IT: If you really want to give your dry skin a boost during the winter months then I highly recommend the extra moisturizing oil and skin moisturizing serum. This one from Furtuna is perfect for that. It’s essentially an alternative moisturizer that wraps dry, sensitive skin in a gentle, protective layer. Well, it’s basically a hydrating hug for your dermis. It can also be used to soothe chapped lips, chapped elbows, razor burns, or any area of skin that is dry. It’s amazing and the color looks good in your medicine cabinet too. – Sacha Strebe, Deputy Editor
WHY I LOVE IT: This whipped butter is a literal game changer. Living in Colorado, our winters are very dry and this is the only product that deeply nourishes my entire body. I cannot live without it. The texture is rich but light (it’s whipped!) And a little goes a long way. – Edie Horstman, Health Contributor
WHY I LOVE IT: In addition to dry skin in the winter, I also occasionally get dermatitis around my mouth. The only thing that immediately helped my face get rid of the red (literally) was this luxurious serum, moisturizer. It’s so beautiful and rich – to be honest, I’m always shocked when it’s under $100. It immediately soothed my skin and my face felt silky smooth for hours. – Caitlin Clark, Contributing Editor
WHY I LOVE IT: Not only is this product super hydrating, but I love that it also fights wrinkles and loss of facial plumpness with antioxidants that fight the damaging effects of free radicals. Just a few weeks of use, elasticity and moisture are visibly improved. – Camille Styles, Editor-in-Chief
