If your normal skincare routine isn’t cutting it during the winter, don’t panic. Dry, cold air and artificial heat in indoor spaces can lead to dry, cracked skin from your scalp to your heels.
Dealing with dry, flaky skin is irritating, and trying to change your routine can be overwhelming. We’re here to help with 10 ultra-hydrating product recommendations, as well as key ingredients to look out for that help soothe dry, winter skin.
I've hit that point of winter where lotion isn't cutting it anymore and I need to slather my entire skin suit in Vaseline to stop the hot, dry indoor air/cold weather outside dry skin itch.
— Christa Tomlinson, Author (@ChristaTRomance) January 21, 2023
Key ingredients to hydrate dry skin:
- Hyaluronic acid: Occurs naturally in the body and is a humectant that draws moisture in.
- Ceramides: Fatty acids in the skin that restore and maintain moisture and hydration. They form part of the barrier to prevent transepidermal water loss.
- Glycerin: A humectant that secures moisture within cells to stay hydrated and soothe inflammation.
- Shea Butter: An emollient that the skin absorbs to retain moisture and smooth the surface.
- Vitamin E: Protects the skin from the drying effects of free radicals and boosts moisture levels. This vitamin is present in many different sources, such as almond oil and avocados.
My winter isn’t complete without super cracked heels, chapped dry lips and irritated-dry-itchy skin 😭😭
— Hamsa (@that_ambivert) January 19, 2023
10 Products to Soothe Dry, Winter Skin
BODY
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish
What it is: This aesthetic body polish contains real brown sugar to gently scrub away dry, dull skin.
Why it works: Brown sugar is a natural humectant (locks in moisture), and the scrub contains oils like primrose and jojoba to nourish and moisturize skin.
Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash
What it is: Eucerin’s oil-based body wash produces a light lather so you can shower without over-drying your skin.
Why it works: This wash contains omega-rich soybean and castor oils, which soothe dry and itchy sensations.
Baby Foot Exfoliation Peel
What it is: Baby Foot’s one-hour foot peel transforms cracked heels into baby-soft skin.
Why it works: The peel contains salicylic and glycolic acids to exfoliate the skin, revealing a new hydrated layer.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
What it is: First-Aid Beauty’s best-selling cream alleviates itching and irritation caused by skin conditions like dryness and eczema.
Why it works: Ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and ceramide-3 help calm and moisturize the skin.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
What it is: L’Occitane’s hand cream has a creamy (but not greasy) formula that quickly absorbs to soothe dry, cracked skin.
Why it works: This cream is made of 20% shea butter, which nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin.
FACE
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Facial Cleanser
What it is: La Roche-Posay’s award-winning face wash gently cleans the skin with a soap-free formula that won’t leave your skin feeling tight and stripped.
Why it works: With a formula containing prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide, and ceramide-3, this face wash gently removes dirt, makeup, and impurities while maintaining natural moisture and pH.
Origins Drink Up Overnight Hydration Mask
What it is: Origins’ Intensive overnight mask provides overnight hydration to reveal nourished skin in the morning.
Why it works: Top-tier moisturizing ingredients like avocado, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide infuse the skin with 72 hours of nourishing hydration—in just one sleep.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
What it is: Beloved by beauty gurus, this overnight lip mask leaves chapped lips soft and supple after regular use.
Why it works: This Laneige bestseller includes hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, and antioxidants from a blend of berries that work to hydrate dry lips.
Kiehl’s Ultra Face Cream
What it is: Kiehl’s facial cream boosts hydration, strengthens the skin barrier, and reduces dryness. Its silky, lightweight consistency absorbs effortlessly into the skin.
Why it works: Ingredients like squalane, glycerin, and glacial glycoprotein help the skin retain moisture for 24 hours.
HAIR
Briogeo Scalp Revival Hydration Mask
What it is: Briogeo’s hydration scalp mask detoxifies and purifies the scalp to decrease flakiness and irritation for more hydrated and healthy hair.
Why it works: Ingredients like charcoal, coconut, tea tree, and peppermint oil nourish and soothe the scalp. As a bonus, 98% of this mask naturally derives from plants.
Prep Your Skin for Winter
Dry winter skin is inevitable, but with the right products and preparation, you can keep your skin hydrated and supple all season long. For the best results, apply hydrating products to clean skin after showering with cool to mid-temperature water.
