Our Editor’s Favorite Products to Winter Proof Your Skin
- Curated For You
- Jan 4
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
When the winter breeze hits, it’s not only your wardrobe that needs a refresh — your skin does too.
The cold air outside and the heat from indoor heaters can both weaken your skin barrier, leading to dryness, tightness, and increased sensitivity. Before long, you find yourself reaching for hydrating formulas and richer, gentler ingredients.
To make the winter skincare transition simple and effective, here are the products we recommend. From face cleansers and makeup removers to serums and moisturizers, these winter-approved products deliver the extra nourishment your skin craves at this time of the year.
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Gentle Cleansers
Now is not the time for harsh, drying cleansers. We recommend gentle formulas that cleanse effectively while keeping your skin soft, refreshed, and hydrated, perfect for winter’s dry, cold conditions.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Why it’s winter-friendly: This creamy cleanser locks in hydration with hyaluronic acid, strengthens the barrier with ceramides, and leaves skin soft and plump with glycerin. Suitable for all skin types.
La Roche Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Why it’s winter-friendly: This dermatologist-recommended cleanser combines hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, while niacinamide soothes irritation from cold, wind, and indoor heating.
Olay Regenerist Hyaluronic Face Wash
Why it’s winter-friendly: This gel-based cleanser combines hyaluronic acid and niacinamide with peptides to hydrate, strengthen the skin barrier, and support firmness and elasticity. Together, they create a protective, nourishing routine that keeps skin soft and resilient in harsh winter conditions.
Barrier Friendly Makeup Removers
After a long winter day, your skin deserves a gentle makeup remover that effectively cleanses without stripping or damaging the skin’s protective barrier.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water
Why it’s winter-friendly: This 3-in-1 micellar water gently removes makeup while cleansing and hydrating the skin. Formulated with niacinamide, glycerin, and ceramides, it helps lock in moisture, calm irritation, and cleanse without leaving skin dry or rough.
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration
Why it’s winter-friendly: This cleansing balm melts into oil before transforming into a nourishing milk, making it ideal for double cleansing in winter. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it removes makeup without stripping, leaving skin soft, plump, and hydrated.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Facial Wipes
Why it’s winter-friendly: With hyaluronic acid at its core, these wipes cleanse while helping skin retain moisture in winter conditions.
Calming and Corrective Toners
Toners are an essential step that help prep the skin after cleansing, creating the perfect base for serums and moisturizers to absorb more effectively. During winter, it’s especially important to choose toners that deliver hydration, restore the skin’s pH balance, and help prevent moisture loss. Look for formulas with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and milky or creamy textures that soothe and comfort dry, cold-stressed skin.
TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Toner
Why it’s winter-friendly: This creamy, alcohol-free formula delivers an extra boost of hydration with hyaluronic acid, helping skin feel stronger, healthier, and more comfortable with each use.
BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner
Why it’s winter-friendly: With its milky texture, this toner delivers deep hydration while soothing dry skin and supporting sensitive or compromised skin barriers during the colder months.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Toner
Why it’s winter-friendly: Ideal for sensitive to dry skin, this alcohol-free formula uses niacinamide and glycerin to deeply hydrate while helping maintain a healthy, protective skin barrier.
Nourishing and Repairing Serums
Serums play a key role in giving your skin extra care during winter. Cold, dry air strips natural oils and weakens the protective barrier, leading to dryness, tightness, and flakiness. The right serum ingredients help replenish moisture, repair the barrier, and soothe skin, leaving it healthy, soft, and glowing.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Serum
Why it’s winter-friendly: This hydro-boosting serum is powered by hyaluronic acid, delivering an instant, weightless surge of hydration to thirsty winter skin.
The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum
Why it’s winter-friendly: Packed with niacinamide, this serum supports skin renewal, soothes irritation, evens skin tone, minimizes pores, and helps control excess oil for a clearer, balanced complexion during winter.
Lancôme Génifique Serum
Why it’s winter-friendly: Formulated with beta-glucan to accelerate cell renewal, strengthen the moisture barrier, provide antioxidant support, and improve firmness while reducing fine lines. While hyaluronic acid adds hydration, smoothing and plumping the skin.
Hydrating Lotions, Creams, and Lip Balms
Keeping skin hydrated from face to body is essential this winter. Rich lotions, nourishing creams, and moisturizing lip balms help prevent dryness, flakiness, and dullness, leaving your skin soft, smooth, and radiant all season long.
Kopari Moisture Whipped Ceramide Cream
Why it’s winter-friendly: Packed with glycerin, this cream draws moisture deep into the skin while protecting against water loss. It layers beautifully under makeup and sunscreen, leaving skin hydrated, soft, and smooth.
Clarins Day Moisturizer
Why it’s winter-friendly: This moisturizer hydrates while improving skin texture, smoothing fine lines, and boosting radiance. Infused with niacinamide, it soothes irritation and strengthens the skin barrier for healthier winter skin.
Drunk Elephant Firming Moisturizer
Why it’s winter-friendly: This creamy moisturizer helps visibly firm the skin, restore bounce, and smooth texture, keeping skin nourished and resilient during winter.
Body Moisturizer
LOccitane Milk Concentrate Body Cream
Why it’s winter-friendly: This rich, creamy body cream is packed with glycerin to lock in deep moisture. Gentle and non-irritating, it suits even sensitive skin, leaving your body hydrated, smooth, and visibly firmer without any greasy residue.
OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil
Why it’s winter-friendly: Formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this lightweight oil instantly boosts hydration and delivers 24-hour moisture. It strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, improves elasticity, and absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy feel. Fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin, it keeps winter-dry skin soft and supple.
La Roche Posay Repair Body Cream
Why it’s winter-friendly: Recommended by dermatologists, this cream features niacinamide, a winter essential that soothes irritation from cold, wind, and indoor heating. It evens skin tone, strengthens the barrier, balances oils, and leaves skin deeply moisturized and comfortable.
Lip Moisturizer
Aquaphor Lip Repair
Why it’s winter-friendly: Clinically recommended for dry, chapped lips, it provides immediate comfort, long-lasting moisture, and helps protect lips from the drying effects of winter weather.
Clinique Moisture Lip Balm
Why it’s winter-friendly: This intensely hydrating lip balm nourishes and relieves dryness while delivering a plumping effect. Formulated with lip-loving ingredients like lipids, shea butter, and ceramides, it keeps lips soft, supple, and comfortable all winter.
Kiehls Lip Balm
Why it’s winter-friendly: Enriched with squalane, a lightweight botanical lipid derived from olives, this balm absorbs quickly to replenish the skin’s barrier, keeping lips soft, supple, and deeply moisturized throughout winter.
As winter settles in, it’s the perfect time to replace your usual routine with skincare designed for the season. Choose hydrating, barrier-strengthening, and moisture-locking favorites that keep your skin soft, smooth, and refreshed even in the coldest weather.
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