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- Face Moisturisers for Winter
The Best Face Moisturisers for Winter
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 face moisturisers for 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 might be 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
£73.99 £92.88 (21% off)Sure, 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
£11.50 £14.86 (23% 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.
Nuxe Aquabella Beauty-Revealing Moisturising Emulsion
£14.75 £24.00 (39% off)Rich and creamy but non-greasy, this beauty-revealing moisturiser is intensely hydrating. Oats nourish and calm the skin, whilst the scent of cucumber, lemon and jasmine provide a spa-like sensorial experience.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant
£15.44 £39.00 (61% 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!
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Multi-Protection SPF 20
£14.12 £24.50 (43% off)Embryolisse has your back when it comes to lightweight hydration. This simple moisturiser also features a UVA + UVB deflecting SPF20 to keep your skin from getting damaged.
Clarins Hydra Essential Cooling Cream Gel
£36.17 £45.50 (21% 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
£22.10 £26.00 (15% off)This 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 Organic Pharmacy Bilberry Complex Cream
£7.51 £20.00 (63% off)This luxurious cream features witch hazel, horse chestnut and bilberry to support capillary and vein health. Perfect for those suffering dryness and redness.
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.
Yendy Skin Super Shea Moisturiser
£34.00Give your skin everything it's craving with this moisturiser from Yendy Skin. It's jam-packed with shea butter and squalane for hydration, plus vitamin C for neutralising pigmentation.
Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream Anti-Ageing Moisturiser
£86.10 £92.00 (7% off)This luxurious cream aims to turn back the clock with the help of honokiol. This is known to boost the TET enzyme in the skin , reduce signs of ageing and give you a youthful glow.
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
£6.40 £10.00 (36% 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.
Bondi Sands Sweet Dreams Night Moisturiser
£10.45 £12.35 (16% off)This super-charged cream contains hyaluronic acid and squalane for hydration. It'll give you the moisture you need without clogging your pores. 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.