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This post has been updated since it originally published on January 30, 2023.
With the harsh, dry effects of winter, many of us experience skin that looks much more dull and flaky as the weather gets chillier. This is especially true for those of us with a naturally dry skin type and more mature skin. It’s even more essential to apply a hydrating moisturizer daily as the temperature drops. We reached out to a skincare expert for a super-hydrating moisturizer that also promotes younger-looking, firmer, and most importantly, hydrated skin this winter. Read on for tips, suggestions, and insight from Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist, and writer at My Psoriasis Team, and Elina Fedotova, the founder, and chief formulator for Elina Organics.
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Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream
The Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream is a "thick, creamy moisturizer" that is a "popular beauty pick" in French pharmacies, Chacon says. But it can also be found at your local Ulta. "Its soothing properties aid in the restoration and rebalancing of dry skin, and it prevents skin water evaporation by strengthening cell cohesion," she notes. Chacon also adds that this product can effectively "remove dehydration lines." This can help your skin look younger and more hydrated. It's the cream's shea butter ingredient that "helps to reduce signs of aging, dryness, and dehydration."
If you struggle with dry skin, Chacon recommends always choosing "a moisturizer with at least some of the following ingredients: hyaluronic acid (HA), ceramides, glycerin, urea, antioxidants, aquaporins, and plant oils and butters." She also warns that without proper daily moisturizing, your skin can be "left dry, sensitive, and dull." This, Chacon says, is because "as we get older, skin inherently becomes drier" and "doesn’t retain moisture and healthy fats."
A cream moisturizer is always the best choice for dry skin because Chacon notes that its "thickness means it will feel relatively heavy on the skin and will take longer to dry." She recommends always choosing a "fragrance-free moisturizer that is free of parabens and irritants" this season.
Parabens are a group of chemicals that are widely used as artificial preservatives in cosmetic and body care products. A lot of cosmetics contain ingredients that can biodegrade, so parabens are added to prevent and reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. This increases the shelf life of the beauty product. However, the concern with these chemicals is that scientific studies suggest that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body and are generally unhealthy for the skin. That's why Chacon highly recommends choosing a moisturizer without parabens.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Facial Moisturizer With SPF
As La Roche-Posay proves, a daily moisturizer that feels heavenly on dry skin, can combat the effects of aging, and get you through winter needn’t be expensive — and it can contain sunscreen to fend off the damage UV rays have on your skin. This pick costs $23 and contains nourishing ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide for 48-hour hydration. It’s dermatologist-tested and free of irritating fragrance, oils, and parabens, making it an ideal pick for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Best of all? It has SPF 30, so you don’t have to add an extra sunscreen on top before heading out in the morning.
Moisturizers are an important skincare step, whether it’s sunny and warm or freezing cold. Fedotova believes that the type of moisturizer you use may need to change with the seasons. "People should only use skin mists and water-based serums right before they go outside in windy, cold weather if they seal their skin with a heavier cream or lotion on top that contains butters and oils," she says. "The cream will help seal the skin’s moisture and protect it from windburn. Similar to walking outside in the winter with wet hands, the mists could freeze on your pores, over-dry, and damage your skin. Ingredients in creams that help to protect your skin from winter damage are vegetable glycerin, shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, and other vegetable oils."
However, people with oily/acne-prone complexion should avoid heavy oils in the skin in the winter. "Those with this complexion already have enough oil on their skin to naturally protect them in the winter," Fedotova says. "All complexion types should not use water-based mists and serums before they go outside in the winter. If you use a water-based mist or lotion, make sure that it is completely absorbed in your skin and pat dry before going outside to avoid it freezing on the surface of your skin." Noted!
