Winter can be harsh on skin. The frigid air zaps skin of all its moisture resulting in flakiness, ashiness and redness. Which is never a good look no matter the season. (Not to mention the unbearable tightness that comes with a seriously parched complexion.) Daily use of a lipid-boosting moisturizer is the best solution to relieving your skin from its dry spell. And due to winter’s tougher climate, your summer moisturizer just won’t cut it. Your only option is to replace it with a more substantial one offering a much-needed moisture fix that will have your skin feeling rejuvenated, more supple and, of course, prettier. So whether you’re rolling with ballers or you’re part of a more budget-inclined squad, here are 15 of the best face moisturizers for dry skin.
[ Next: 26 Best Moisturizers That Won’t Cause Acne or Clog Pores ]
Winter Moisturizers
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Clinique
Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, $39.50 at Sephora
If your skin is in need of thirst-quenching relief, this gel cream will be your new moisture savior. It actually enhances skin’s own natural hyaluronic acid, aka its "moisture magnet," to replenish the reservoir. Yes, you really can have dewy, glowing skin when it's freezing out.
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Farmacy
Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer, $45 at Farmacy
The brand’s intense moisturizer is designed to replenish dry, distressed skin without constant reapplication. It visibly plumps skin and improves the look of fine lines. Antioxidant-rich buckwheat honey helps you achieve that coveted dewy glow, while plant-based ceramides replenish the skin barrier. Throw in shea butter and vitamin E to lock in moisture plus fig extract for smooth and supple skin and you’ve got one must-have moisturizer.
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Tatcha
The Dewy Skin Cream, $68 at Violet Grey
Get glowing this winter with this brightening, plumping moisturizer. Its thick-textured formula doesn’t feel heavy or even oily on skin. It’s all thanks to fermented Japanese green tea, rice and algae that deliver antioxidants to protect against pollution, sun and stress. Consider the cream's lilac tint and light green tea scent bonuses.
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Naturopathica
Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream, $64 at DermStore
This cream boasts a truly hydrating lineup. There’s calendula to alleviate dry skin, borage seed oil to moisturize and aloe vera to soothe any sensitivity. So you get super soft skin minus irritation.
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Youth To The People
Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream, $58 at Nordstrom
Powered by adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms, this cream is ideal for anyone suffering from parched skin. Its powerful formula also calms complexions when faced with stressors like UV rays and environmental pollutants. Basically, it’s the perfect antidote to the cold, harsh winter weather.
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Fresh
Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream, $68 at Nordstrom
No time to reapply moisturizer throughout the day? No worries with this lightweight formula boasting time-release technology. It actually attracts and seals in moisture via hydropatches that form a protective moisturizing veil. Along with moisture-retaining angelica leaf extract, hyaluronic acid and plum seed oil, you can brave anything winter throws your way.
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Belif
The True Cream Aqua Bomb, $38 at Sephora
Winter moisturizers don’t need to be heavy. Case in point: Belif’s ultra lightweight, oil-free gel-cream. It features a mix of apothecary herbs, including antioxidant-rich lady's mantle that tackles skin-damaging free radicals, improves elasticity and minimizes the appearance of pores. Designed to burst when applied, the refreshing formula instantly releases moisture for a supple visage.
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Vichy
Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream, $31 at Ulta Beauty
Replenishing your skin’s moisture levels is a must this time of year, but it’s also important to make sure that moisture is evenly distributed in all facial zones. That’s where this best moisturizer for dry skin comes in. Bolstered by soothing Vichy thermal spa water and hyaluronic acid, it has advanced dynamic hydration technology to help get water to all the right places.
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Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte's Magic Cream, $100 at Charlotte Tilbury
Ever wonder how models keep their skin dewy fresh? Well, this "magic" cream is the secret to runway-worthy skin. Hyaluronic acid and wild pansy extracts seal in moisture, while rosehip and camellia oils plus vitamin E turn dull complexions into glowing ones. It’s also a great cheat if you didn’t get your eight hours the night before.
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Embryolisse
Lait-Crème Concentrè, $28 at DermStore
Get hydrated and your antioxidants at the same time with this light and milky face moisturizer. You’ll also get shea butter to provide essential fatty acids to repair the lipid barrier and up elasticity. Bonus: It’ll even diminish fine lines thanks to soy proteins.
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Kate Somerville
Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream, $65 at Sephora
Ancient Egyptians used to rely on goat milk to heal and nurture skin. Meet the modern-day equivalent. This dairy dream includes milk polypeptides to nurture dry skin along with soothing goat milk and natural milk proteins for deep hydration. There’s also jojoba and avocado oils for extra conditioning plus aloe to soothe sensitive skin.
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La Mer
Crème de la Mer, $190 at La Mer
The crème de la crème, La Mer’s legendary luxe treatment promises to improve firmness, lines and wrinkles while making pores less visible. Even if you don’t believe the hype, you can rest assured that it will immerse your face in moisture, bringing your dry skin back to life. Just make sure you warm the cream for a few seconds between your fingers until it becomes translucent, then gently press into skin for full effect.
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First Aid Beauty
Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration, $34 at First Aid Beauty
If you suffer from eczema or dry skin, it’s about to get a lot more sensitive thanks to Mother Nature. But have no fear, First Aid Beauty’s beloved whipped cream will have your skin feeling silky smooth and hydrated. A potent blend of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, ceramide 3 and antioxidants offers immediate relief and is clinically proven to increase hydration by 169 percent.
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Mario Badescu
Cream X, $40 at Mario Badescu
This best face moisturizer for dry skin has an impressive lineup of hydration superheroes, including rice bran oil, vitamins A and E plus hyaluronic acid to banish dry skin. Beeswax helps the hydration stick around and the addition of salicylic acid removes dull, dead skin cells, leading to a more even tone and texture. Pro tip: Use it to refresh skin before applying makeup for a glowing palette.
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Guerlain
Super Aqua-Lotion, $54 at Neiman Marcus
This pick promises to naturally trigger hydration. It’s all thanks to Guerlain’s proprietary Aquacomplex that purifies cellular water to relaunch hydration flows. You’ll notice results as soon as you slather it on.
