Top 10 moisturizers for dry, winter skin
For many us, winter equals dry skin (unfortunately). So today I’m going to share my top moisturizers to get you through the cold, winter months.
I don’t know about you by my skin is feeling the effects of winter. It’s cold here in Ireland – 0 degrees C in the morning – so between the harsh weather outside and heating inside, it’s feeling tight, dry and even flaky.
Thanks to by beloved to tretinoin I woke up a few days ago with some serious peeling around my nose and mouth. Yuck.
As a result, I’ve ramped up a number of things – oils & mists for example – and that generally means a change in moisturizers, as well. I tend to go lighter in the summer and heavier in the winter. So below are my top picks for winter skin. I’ve broken it down to the items you can get at the drugstore, some mid-range options and then the money-is-no-object category.
DRUGSTORE
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel €11/50ml
This super lightweight product is great for oily or sensitive skin as it won’t clog pores. I contains a unique hyaluronic acid gel matrix to instantly lock in moisture and slowly release it over time.
Weleda Skin Food Cream €11.50/75ml
This super rich formulation (although also it comes in a light version) is truly my desert island product. It contains sunflower + almond oils plus glycerin and beeswax. It’s actually too thick to be spread or rubbed into skin – best to just pat it in. When tretinoin causes peeling to my uber-dry skin, I reach for this bad boy. It’s also great for those really rough bits like elbows, knees and heels.
Cerave Moisturising Cream €12.75/454g
This the richest cream in their extensive range (honestly, they have something for every skin type and condition). Like so many of their products, it contains hyaluronic acid to attract moisture + ceramides to lock it in. It comes in a honkin’ tub that lasts forever. This is great for the body too and I often use as my post-shower moisturiser.
Olay Regenerist Ultra Rich Fragrance Free €22.50/50 ml
I love the Regenerist range and have used it for donkey’s years. It has a lovely, rich texture that is somehow non-greasy at the same time. It contains niacinimide, glycerin, B3, peptides and shea butter. A whole jar of goodness!
MIDRANGE
Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream £26/50ml
This lightweight texture is great for combination and sensitive skin. I’d actually forgotten how great this is for winter months and have been using every day the last few weeks. It contains glycoprotein from glaciers - known to deeply hydrate - and squalane (from olives), to restore and strengthen the moisture barrier.
Clinique Moisture Surge™ 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator €45/50ml
This gel-cream suits all skin types. It contains hyaluronic acid (seeing a trend here?) plus aloe water to attract and hold moisture in the skin. Using activated aloe water and caffeine, it helps trigger the skin’s own rehydration system (so cool!). But the big bonus here is that it can be used over makeup to rehydrate as needed throughout the day.
Pestle & Mortar Hydrate Lightweight Moisturiser €48/50ml
This too is a lightweight, yet super hydrating cream. I was given a free sample after I purchased another product and actually didn’t think it would work for my skin. Boy was I wrong! It contains peptides and squalane and absorbs quickly. This is a beautiful product – just another from an incredible Irish brand.
Dermalogica Barrier Repair Ultra Calming €49/30ml
This is the perfect product for sensitive skin or anyone having issues with the skin barrier. That means itchy, red, sore or problematic skin. It has a super velvety texture and contains evening primrose oil, shea butter, and vitamin c. It’s a small tube but worth it if you need some extra repair work. It actually works well as a primer too!
PREMIUM
These options really aren’t for most of us (myself included).
Lancome Absolue Soft Cream £200/60ml
This is pure luxury. My mom gifted this to me (thanks Mom!) as she’s a Lancome loyalist and often has a few things kicking around. Lancome says this product has 3 texture phases:
1) It starts thick, which delivers soothing comfort.
2) Then it melts into your skin as you massage it in.
3) It leaves velvety, soft texture.
It contains grand rose extracts, essential oils and shea butter. It’s just a delight.
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream (or just The Cream) £225/50ml
This next one, I haven’t even tried. It’s on my wish list. It’s meant to be revolutionary, skin-transforming stuff. Augustinus is a stem cell and biomedical scientist that has patented Trigger Factor Complex (TFC8) – a groundbreaking compound that works to ‘unlock’ skin’s innate code and activate regeneration. Sounds pretty incredible to me. It also includes avocado and evening primrose oils (super hydrating) and beeswax. From my understanding, it’s pure heaven. If Santa is listening, this is at the top of my list!
Watch my YouTube video if you’re interested!
