The 13 Best Winter Moisturizers for Every Skin Need

When winter sets in every year, seasonal adjustments are only to be expected—think long nights, warm layers, and, regrettably, dry skin. It’s an outcome as familiar as geography. “Winter is usually cold and dry in most world climates, which causes the skin to lose more moisture,” says Tara Kormeili, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in notably temperate Los Angeles.

While that much is common knowledge, the why of winter dryness may be less obvious. Really, it’s a lesson in physics: While transepidermal water loss (the term for evaporation that occurs from the outermost layers of skin) happens year-round, it’s accelerated in the colder months according to the Austin, Texas–based esthetician Renée Rouleau. “When the air is dry and moisture is not present, the air draws moisture from wherever it can through osmosis—and sometimes, it will be from your skin,” she explains. Indoor heat all winter long only makes matters worse; it adds warmth without improving humidity levels. 

These environmental shifts can weaken the skin’s natural defense system, creating a stubborn cycle of dryness. “The skin barrier is made up of natural lipids that help keep moisture in and irritants out,” Rouleau says. “When this barrier is damaged—due to cold winter temperatures, for instance—it [results in] tiny, invisible cracks in the skin that allow moisture to escape more easily.” That can lead to flaky skin and dry patches; some might also see an uptick in redness and irritation. 

As winter dryness is partly due to water loss (versus a lack of lipids), it can impact every skin type, even combination or oily skin. For that reason, topical hydration is key—both to lock in moisture and to preserve that barrier function. For some, a lightweight yet effective lotion might do the trick; otherwise, adds Rouleau, “something heavier or more emollient may be required to offer more protection from the dry air.” For formulas that do just that, look no further.