The Best Face Moisturiser for Dry Skin This Winter

Winter can be unforgiving to your skin, leaving it dry, flaky, and desperate for hydration. The solution? A deeply nourishing face moisturiser that shields your skin from the elements while restoring its natural barrier. Whether you’re battling sub-zero temperatures or central heating-induced dryness, these winter skin saviours will keep your complexion supple and glowing. Here’s our roundup of the best face moisturisers for dry skin, all available at Cosmetify.

Top Application Tips for Winter Moisturisers

1. Apply to Damp Skin: Lock in hydration by applying moisturiser immediately after cleansing or toning.
2. Layer Your Skincare: Start with hydrating serums and finish with a rich moisturiser to seal in moisture.
3. Don’t Skip SPF: Even in winter, protect your skin from UV and free radical damage by layering SPF over your moisturiser.
4. Use Overnight: For maximum hydration, apply a thicker layer at night and let it work while you sleep.

Moisturisers for dry skin can do more than just hydrate—they can address specific skin concerns like sensitivity, with calming ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide, or tackle signs of aging through anti-ageing powerhouses like peptides and antioxidants. For combination skin, lightweight yet nourishing formulas provide hydration without clogging pores, making them ideal for balancing dryness and oiliness.

Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ The Intensive Hydrating Complex

As we age, our skin loses its natural moisture, leading to the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and laxity. If you're looking for a powerhouse moisturiser to combat this, Perricone MD delivers. Infused with peptides and hyaluronic acid, this luxurious cream dives deep into the skin, delivering lasting hydration and helping to address skin concerns like skin texture and fine lines. It's the ultimate indulgence for thirsty winter skin.

CeraVe Moisturising Cream

Affordable and dermatologist-approved, CeraVe Moisturising Cream is a winter skincare staple. Packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this no-frills formula restores the skin’s barrier and locks in moisture all day long. Dermatologists often recommend fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formulations for those with highly reactive skin, ensuring maximum comfort without irritation.

COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream

Those with combination skin face the challenge of balancing hydration across oily and dry areas. Lightweight yet nourishing products, like the COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream, are a hydration hero and COSRX knows how to harness the power of hyaluronic acid. This lightweight yet deeply hydrating cream absorbs effortlessly, leaving your skin plump, dewy, and ready to face the winter chill.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

An iconic favourite for a reason, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is perfect for all-day hydration. Its squalane-rich formula strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier and keeps your face feeling fresh and soft. Get effective hydration without clogging pores or overwhelming oilier areas of the face. Formulas like the Ultra Facial Cream are especially beneficial for providing a refreshing dose of moisture without the heaviness of other traditional creams.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Moisturising Cream

Winter dullness? Not with Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream. Infused with a blend of vitamins, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, this cream works like a charm to brighten and hydrate your skin. Plus, it creates the perfect base for makeup. Its combination of ingredients like peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid work to deeply hydrate while promoting skin elasticity and firmness. These products not only improve hydration but also deliver long-term benefits by stimulating collagen production.

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Ultra Moisture Cream

This cult-favourite cream by Dr. Jart+ is a winter essential. Its ceramide complex strengthens the skin’s barrier while delivering deep hydration, ensuring your skin stays smooth and soft no matter how harsh the weather. For sensitive skin prone to redness, irritation, or conditions like eczema or rosacea, moisturisers with calming ingredients are key: ceramides and niacinamide soothe inflammation while repairing the skin’s protective barrier.

Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm

For those extra-dry spots, Eucerin Aquaphor is a lifesaver. This multi-purpose balm seals in moisture and accelerates skin repair, making it ideal for chapped skin and cold weather flare-ups.

Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Intense Moisturiser

If your skin needs intensive care, Medik8 has you covered. Perfect for post-treatment recovery or extreme dryness, this moisturiser restores the skin’s barrier with a rich, nourishing formula.

Q+A Ceramide Barrier Defence Face Cream

Strengthen your skin’s defences with Q+A’s ceramide-rich moisturiser. It’s lightweight yet ultra-hydrating, providing the perfect shield against the elements.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Barrier Repair

Sensitive, dry skin will adore this weightless, silicone-based moisturiser. Designed by Dermalogica to calm irritation, it creates a protective barrier that locks in hydration and keeps redness at bay.

Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream

A true multitasker, Egyptian Magic is an industry classic for a reason. This natural balm is perfect for tackling winter dryness on the face, lips, and even hands.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil

While technically an oil, this multi-purpose product by Nuxe nourishes and hydrates skin like a dream. Smooth a few drops over your face for an instant glow and an added layer of hydration.

Aviela Skincare Pure Shea Butter

Aviela Skincare Pure Shea Butter is a true gem for anyone seeking natural hydration and nourishment. This 100% pure, highest grade unrefined shea butter is packed with fatty acids, vitamins A and E, ensuring your skin receives the essential nutrients it craves. With its natural soothing properties, this butter effortlessly absorbs into your skin while leaving a layer to form a protective barrier, helping to lock in moisture and keep dryness at bay. Shea butter doesn’t just stop at your skin; it's perfect for hair-to-toe pampering.

Why You Need a Winter-Specific Moisturiser

Winter weather depletes your skin’s natural moisture, making it essential to switch to a heavier, more nourishing cream. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane to restore hydration and reinforce your skin’s barrier.

Don’t let winter wreak havoc on your complexion. With these top moisturisers from Cosmetify, you’ll be ready to face the cold with glowing, hydrated skin.

How We Review Moisturisers for Dry Skin

Selecting the perfect winter moisturiser involves researching expert opinions, and consumer feedback. Each product in this list is:

• Dermatologist-tested/recommended: We prioritise products clinically proven to improve hydration and support the skin barrier.
• User-reviewed: Real-life reviews from customers across the internet help identify standout features and drawbacks.
• Ingredient-evaluated for efficacy: Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and natural oils are renowned for their ability to combat winter dryness and repair compromised skin.

Skin Concerns Addressed by Winter Moisturisers

Dry skin often comes with additional challenges, which the right moisturiser can help tackle:

• Sensitivity: Look for calming ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide (e.g., CeraVe Moisturising Cream or Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Ultra Moisture Cream).
• Aging: Anti-ageing benefits often come from added peptides, antioxidants, and vitamin C (Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ is a standout choice).
• Combination Skin: Balancing hydration without clogging pores is key—lightweight creams like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream or multi-taskers like Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream are ideal.

Types of Moisturisers for Dry Skin

The texture and formulation of a moisturiser can make all the difference. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Creams: Rich and nourishing, creams like Charlotte Tilbury Magic Moisturising Cream and Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Intense Moisturiser work well for extremely dry skin.
• Gels: Lightweight yet hydrating, water and gel-based options such as COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream are perfect for those who dislike heavy formulations.
• Balms: Thick balms like Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm create a protective barrier, ideal for very dry, cracked skin.

Transitioning your skincare routine for winter is essential to maintain healthy, hydrated skin during the colder months. In our Ultimate Guide to Repairing a Damaged Skin Barrier, we emphasize the importance of using products rich in ceramides and fatty acids to strengthen and protect your skin's natural barrier. Additionally, our article on How to Transition Your Skincare Routine for Winter suggests incorporating hydrating serums and switching to a more nourishing moisturizer to combat seasonal dryness. For those with combination or oily skin, our Best Lightweight Moisturisers article highlights products that provide adequate hydration without feeling heavy, ensuring your skin remains balanced throughout the season. By following our expert recommendations, you can effectively adapt your skincare routine to meet the challenges posed by winter weather!