1
Best Nighttime Moisturizer
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
All of the dermatologists we spoke with talked about the importance of occlusive moisturizers in the winter. These formulas tend to be richer and are great for sealing in moisture and preventing water loss. Love says she reaches for this tried-and-true formula at night during this time of year. She layers it over her body cream to lock in hydration and support the skin barrier. Gohara also swears by this formula to hydrate her lips, nails, and cuticles.
Key ingredients: |
Petrolatum |
Size: |
13 oz |
2
Best Humidifier
Canopy Dr. Idriss Portable Humidifier Set
Adding a humidifier to your room is the easiest way to address the drying effects of indoor heating. Idriss (and so many other dermatologists) says she can’t go without her Canopy during the wintertime. She loves this one because “it’s compact, powerful, and perfect for my desk, nightstand, or travel bag.” The best part is it’s easy to clean and prevents mold thanks to the inner fan that provides constant airflow to keep things dry. Idriss teamed up with Canopy to create a special set that includes three aromatherapy scents that are utterly calming and delicious.
Size: |
3″ length x 7″ height x 3″ width and 500 ml tank |
Run time: |
Up to 24 hours |
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3
Best for Sensitive Skin
Avene Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Both Love and Gohara say they add this ultra-soothing moisturizer into their daily routine. “The cold air outside combined with dry indoor heat sap moisture from your skin, creating tiny cracks in the barrier that expose nerve endings and cause winter’s itch,” explains Gohara. She says she prevents this common wintertime woe by hydrating the skin with thicker creams that focus on barrier repair, like this one.
It contains post-biotics to protect the skin from external aggressors and maintain hydration. The fragrance-, alcohol-, paraben-, soy-, and wheat-free formula is so gentle that you can safely use it on babies and infants.
Key ingredients: |
Postbiotics, copper-zinc sulfate complex |
Size: |
1.3 oz |
4
Best Exfoliator
Medik8 Press & Glow
Exfoliating during the winter is tricky. It may take some trial and error to find the frequency that works best for you, but overall, all derms agree less is more. “I recommend exfoliating once a week with an AHA or BHA-based product at lower concentrations,” says Engelman. “One of my favorites is this formula because it gently removes dead skin cells, helps smooth skin texture, and boosts overall skin luminosity, without exacerbating irritation or dryness.”
Key ingredients: |
Gluconolactone, prickly pear extract, aloe vera, and acai extract |
Size: |
6.7 oz |
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5
Best Overnight Treatment
Triple Paste Diaper Rash Cream
Face basting is a viral hack coined by Idriss. It requires slathering your face (or any areas you’re very dry) in diaper rash cream to soothe and hydrate overnight. Think of it as slugging, except instead of petrolatum, you’re using a zinc oxide-based cream. “It can help repair your skin overnight if your skin is super dry and inflamed,” she says. This Triple Paste Diaper Rash Cream is her favorite.
Key ingredients: |
Zinc oxide, oat extract, and beeswax |
Size: |
2 oz |
6
Best for Rough Skin
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Urea 10% Roughness Smoothing Lotion
“For the body, I use this urea cream to soften rough patches, like my elbows, knees, and heels,” says Gohara. Urea is an exfoliating ingredient that helps slough dry or flaky dead skin cells without disrupting the skin barrier. Shirazi, who also uses this formula, says “It smooths while providing long-lasting hydration, leaving the skin feeling softer and more comfortable.” The fragrance-free formula also contains soothing allantoin, making it ultra-gentle for all skin types, especially those who are very dry.
Key ingredients: |
Urea, shea butter, and allantoin |
Size: |
13.52 oz |
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7
Best for Body
Cetaphil Body Moisturizer
Before going in with a thicker occlusive moisturizer or oil, Love applies a layer of this body cream for maximum moisture. It’s rich without feeling greasy. It also instantly hydrates and soothes sensitive, dry skin, which is why Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Indiana, is a fan of this formula too. You can use it on your face and body, and the large tub ensures it’ll last a long time.
Key ingredients: |
Glycerin, panthenol, and niacinamide |
Size: |
20 oz |
8
Best for Compromised Skin
SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream
“This is a great choice for freezing temperatures because its rich, ultra-hydrating formula combats dryness and supports the skin barrier,” says Jarosz. “It provides intense moisture right away thanks to hyaluronic acid and squalane, so it’s great for preventing dry skin and flakiness caused by cold weather.” The soothing formula is also rich in antioxidants, which restore and protect the skin barrier against future damage and irritation caused by environmental aggressors.
Key ingredients: |
Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and squalane |
Size: |
1.7 oz |
9
Best Gentle Cleanser
BioEffect Facial Cleanser
“A non-stripping, hydrating cleanser is crucial for protecting the skin’s natural moisture barrier,” says Jarosz. She’s reaching for this fragrance-free formula this time of year because it keeps your skin’s natural oils intact. “Adding it to your routine ensures a clean and hydrated canvas that’s ready for the rest of your skincare products to work their magic.” The gentle formula starts off as a gel and becomes a milky lather as you work it into the skin. It effectively removes makeup, oil, dirt, and SPF in one step.
Key ingredients: |
Glycerin and squalane |
Size: |
4 oz |
10
Best Serum
SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish and Restore Hydrator
As we mentioned before, these experts are big on layering your skincare to achieve a healthy, glowing, and hydrated complexion. The general rule of thumb for layering your skincare is to go from lighter to thicker textures. For instance, Gohara recommends “layering a hydrating serum under a barrier-repair cream to lock in moisture and restore your skin’s ability to defend itself from aggressors.” She often reaches for this hyaluronic acid-based serum that instantly plumps and moisturizes the complexion. It’s also clinically proven to improve your skin’s ability to hold onto water.
Key ingredients: |
Five forms of hyaluronic acid |
Size: |
2 oz |
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11
Best for Mature Skin
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
“When my face feels really dry, I reach for this formula,” says Spearman. This luxury moisturizer is rich in texture to hydrate skin but it also helps target signs of aging. The formula contains healing lipids, including ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, that restore your complexion’s hydration and elasticity. With continued use, it reduces the look of fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and uneven skin tone.
Key ingredients: |
Ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids |
Size: |
1.6 oz |
12
Best for Cracked Skin
CeraVe Healing Ointment Moisturizing Skin Protectant
Cold weather can worsen inflammatory skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis, says Spearman. The fix? Skincare with ceramides, like this budget-friendly option. Similar to Vaseline, this petrolatum-based formula is perfect for sealing in moisture after your lightweight creams or lotions. Gratch says it’s a game changer for cracked skin and Gohara says she likes to use it to maintain long-lasting hydration. In addition to skin-repairing ceramides, this formula contains hydrating hyaluronic acid.
Key ingredients: |
Petrolatum, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid |
Size: |
3 oz |
Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok
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