Credit: Courtesy of brands, Rhode
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Best moisturisers to keep skin nourished and hydrated through winter
By Chloe Burcham &Charlotte Bitmead
Updated 6 months ago
6 min read
Is the colder weather is wreaking havoc with your skin? These expert-approved moisturisers will inject some serious hydration back into dry winter skin.
When the temperatures outside dip, our skin reacts. Cold and windy weather can aggravate even the oiliest of skin types, while central heating zaps the moisture out from our skin barrier. The result? Dry skin in winter is a common skincare complaint.
But what does dry skin look like and how do you know if you have it? It might sound obvious, but the symptoms of dry skin can include more than just the sensation of your skin feeling physically ‘dry’. You might find that your skin is red, flaky or tight. There might be more visible fine lines than usual and your skin might feel rough, itchy or flaky.
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So what can help? Of course, drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated is key. Then there are tips like avoiding long, hot showers (as these will strip skin of moisture) and being gentle with your cleansing regime (no harsh or foaming soaps). But where does using a good old-fashioned moisturiser come into it?
“Moisturiser is necessary to maintain the elasticity and flexibility of the skin’s upper layers,” says Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and author of The Skincare Bible. “It keeps the skin healthy and allows it to function effectively as a barrier.”
What to look out for when buying the best moisturiser for your skin type?
Moisturiser ingredients often fall into three main categories: humectants, occlusives and emollients. By understanding the benefits of each ingredient and deciphering your skin type can help you choose the best moisturising ingredients for you.
Humectants
Humectants are key in maintaining skin hydration and act by attracting and chemically binding water in the skin. They have the ability to plump the skin and improve fine lines and wrinkles.
Look for: hyaluronic acid, glycerine, hexanediol, butylene glycol and sorbitol.
Occlusives
Occlusive agents create a barrier over the skin and prevent water loss from the surface. These are good for dry and very dry skin or for use on the body as they often have a greasy, shiny finish. Avoid these if you have acne-prone skin as they could clog pores.
Look for: squalene, cocoa butter, shea butter, lanolin and beeswax.
Emollients
Emollients act by replacing lipids and filling any gaps and crevices between the skin cells, helping to rebuild the skin barrier.
Look for: ceramides, dimethicone, linoleic acid and caprylyl glycol.
Best moisturisers for dry skin
Most moisturisers will contain a combination of humectants, occlusives and emollients. Not sure which is right for you? As a general rule, if your skin is acne prone you should look for products higher in humectants but low in occlusive agents. If your skin is dry, look for more emollients and occlusives, as this will help hydrate your skin better.
Beauty Pie Plantastic Deep Nourishing Moisture Balm
Perfect for seriously dry skin, this rich buttery balm is infused with shea and murumuru butters, sesame and coconut oils. It can be used to nourish dry patches all over the body and face – including elbows, knees and around the nose.
Shop Beauty Pie Plantastic Deep Nourishing Moisture Balm at Beauty Pie, £60 (£15 for members)
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
This velvety whipped cream is enriched with lipids and ceramides to support the skin barrier function while working to plump and smooth your complexion for a soft dewy finish.
Shop Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream at Sephora, £46
Weleda Skin Food
It’s a cult product for a reason, Weleda’s Skin Food is packed with nourishing plant oils that deeply nourish skin from within while working on the surface to add extra protection to the skin barrier.
Caudalíe VinoHydra Deep Hydration Moisturiser
This juicy cream is packed with ingredients designed to revive the driest, flakiest of skin. It’s filled to the brim with nourishing squalane, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and shea butter to leave skin feeling plumped and quenched. At the same time, Caudalíe’s signature grape water is rich in antioxidants to help neutralise free radicals.
Shop Caudalie VinoHydra S.O.S Deep Hydration Moisturiser at Cult Beauty, £20
Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream
Designed to banish any rough texture that usually goes hand in hand with stressed, dehydrated skin, this lush barrier-building cream leaves you with a glossy non-greasy glow. Bilberry seed oil helps to smooth any scaly skin, while allantoin helps relieve any tightness or irritation. Plus, the pump format is not only hygienic but also dispenses just the right amount of product, so you never go OTT.
Shop Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream at LookFantastic, £69
Origins GinZing Ultra Hydrating Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturiser
If you’re worried about excess oils then this is the moisturiser for you. The lightweight formula is oil-free but still ultra-rich. It definitely doesn’t scrimp on delivering a punch of hydration to the skin.
Shop Origins GinZing Glow Radiance-Boosting Moisturiser at LookFantastic, £32
Best moisturisers for oily and acne-prone skin
Lumene Nordic Hydra [Lähde] Fresh Moisture 24H Water Gel
Inspired by the cold Nordic and Arctic temperatures, Lumene knows how to moisturise weather-ravaged skin. This fast-absorbing gel is perfect for normal to oily and combination skin types, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple – never greasy.
Shop Lumene Nordic Hydra [LÄHDE] Fresh Moisture 24H Water Gel at Marks & Spencer, £24
Avène Cleanance Aqua Gel Moisturiser for Oily Skin
Do thick moisturisers break you out? This feels as light as a cloud and instantly soaks up any excess oil without leaving the skin feeling tight. The formula features the brand’s signature thermal spring water for hydration, while niacinamide works to brighten and monolaurin (famous for its antibacterial powers) will help minimise excess sebum.
Shop Avène Cleanance Aqua Gel Moisturiser for oily skin at Boots, £22
Skin Proud Sorbet Burst Hyaluronic Acid Jelly Moisturiser
Formulated with rose water to soothe and calm the skin, this gel moisturiser is perfect for oily and acne-prone skin types still suffering from that annoying winter dryness. It helps to increase hydration levels by up to 99% in just 30 minutes, while hyaluronic acid helps to lock in moisture long-term.
Shop Skin Proud Sorbet Burst Hyaluronic Acid Jelly Moisturiser at Beauty Bay, £13.95
Best moisturisers for combination skin
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion
Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe’s known for its ceramide-rich formulas. This lightweight moisturising lotion is formulated to protect the skin barrier with three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and MVE technology to provide instant and long-lasting hydration.
Shop CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion at LookFantastic, £16.50
Glossier Priming Moisturizer Balance
Perfect for combination skin types, Glossier’s Priming Moisturizer Balance works to moisturise, control shine and refine the look of pores in just one step. Niacinamide helps improve the look of pores and uneven skin tone while marine extracts instantly reduce visible shine.
Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturiser
Peptides are the building blocks of a healthy skin barrier, and this tube is jammed full of them. The velvety vegan and fragrance-free formula also contains brightening vitamin C, glycerin and squalane, making it a great all-rounder for all skin types. The best part? I’ve tried and tested this one and it doesn’t cause your make-up to pill, making it a great morning moisturiser.
The Inkey List Peptide Moisturiser
This hardworking moisturiser unites two forms of peptides to support the skin’s natural proteins, helping to keep skin looking healthy and glowing. Plus, a supporting hexapeptide helps to hydrate, strengthen the barrier and stop transepidermal moisture loss. Winner.
Shop The Inkey List Peptide Moisturiser at Sephora UK, £15.90
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Images: Rhode; courtesy of brands
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