It’s only November, but the colder weather is already here in some places, and you might be noticing your skin getting drier than usual.
Between the cold air outside and indoor heating, winter can be rough on your skin.
And if you’re using retinol, tretinoin, or exfoliating acids, your usual moisturizer might not be enough once temperatures drop.
I wanted to share my winter moisturizer recommendations a little early so you have time to figure out what might work for your skin before the season is in full swing.
For this year’s roundup, I’m bringing back a few products I recommended last winter, along with some newer additions to my routine.
I’ve included 13 moisturizers and hydrating treatments for your face and body, from rich creams to lightweight serums and body oils.
Face Moisturizers
1. Medik8 Advanced Ceramide Night Cream
Medik8 Advanced Ceramide Night Cream is one of my all-time favorite moisturizers.
It has a rich, creamy texture that feels nourishing without being overly greasy.
The formula contains ceramides, which help support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss, along with peptides to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
I love using a thicker moisturizer at night when my skin needs more hydration, and this one fits right into that routine.
2. Neostrata Rebound Sculpting Cream
I talked about Neostrata Rebound Sculpting Cream in last year’s moisturizer roundup, and it’s still one of my favorites.
I love how plump and firm it makes my skin look, and it keeps my skin feeling hydrated without being too heavy.
I’ve used it over tretinoin and the Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigment Corrector without experiencing irritation myself, although I wouldn’t recommend layering strong actives like that if your skin isn’t used to them.
I also like pairing it with NIOD Superoxide Dismutase for antioxidant support.
3. Versed Dew Point Gel-Cream Moisturizer
If you have oily or combination skin, you might prefer something lighter than the thick creams people usually recommend for winter.
Versed Dew Point Gel-Cream Moisturizer is a lightweight, affordable option that hydrates without leaving your skin feeling greasy.
It contains aloe vera, green tea extract, and sodium hyaluronate to help keep skin hydrated and comfortable.
I also like that it’s designed to absorb quickly and layer well under makeup, making it a practical option for your morning routine.
4. Naturium Multi-Peptide Rich Cream
Naturium Multi-Peptide Rich Cream combines a rich, creamy texture with ingredients that do more than moisturize.
It contains peptides, ferulic acid, and linseed extract to help keep skin hydrated while improving the appearance of fine lines and uneven texture.
It’s an affordable option if you’re looking for a nourishing moisturizer that also offers some anti-aging benefits.
5. Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream
Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream has a rich, creamy texture and contains ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to help support your skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.
The formula also includes peptides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid for added hydration.
I recommend it as a nighttime moisturizer for dry skin or for anyone using retinol who needs something more nourishing in their routine.
6. Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Nectar
The Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Nectar is one of my favorite hydrating masks, and I love using it when my skin feels dry.
It contains 30% glycerin, along with Dutch Tulip Complex, sunflower seed oil, vitamin C, and peptides to help hydrate and nourish the skin.
You can use it on its own or layer it over your moisturizer as an overnight treatment.
I absolutely love it, and my skin looks bright and glowy the next morning.
You can use my code FAWN for 20% off your order!
7. Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer
For something lightweight, I reach for the Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer.
I’m convinced this might have been the inspiration behind Rhode Glazing Milk.
They have a similar milky texture, and both give your skin a nice boost of hydration.
The formula contains a ceramide and peptide complex, along with white leaf tea, to help moisturize and support the skin barrier.
I like layering it underneath my moisturizer because it gives my skin more hydration without the heaviness of another cream.
Body Moisturizers
8. Prequel Urea Advanced Relief Moisturizing Milk
I included Prequel Urea Advanced Relief Moisturizing Milk in my summer body care roundup, but it’s just as useful when my skin gets dry.
The formula contains 10% urea, which helps draw moisture into the skin and soften rough, flaky patches.
It also has niacinamide, shea butter, and glycerin to help keep skin hydrated.
What I like is the mid-weight texture.
It absorbs well without feeling greasy, so you get the moisture your skin needs without having to use a thick body cream.
9. Saltair HA Body Hydrator
Saltair HA Body Hydrator is another product I’ve been using to keep my skin hydrated after showering.
While my skin is still damp, I apply two quarter-sized amounts all over my body.
It contains sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, along with ingredients that help support the skin barrier.
I like how it leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth without a heavy finish.
I can also layer my body moisturizer over it when my skin needs more moisture.
10. Soft Services Carea Cream
Similar to the Prequel Urea Advanced Relief Moisturizing Milk I mentioned earlier, Soft Services Carea Cream uses urea to help hydrate the skin and soften rough, flaky patches.
It’s one I recommend for areas like your feet, elbows, and knees, where dry skin can become more noticeable during winter.
The fragrance-free formula also contains squalane, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and centella asiatica extract to help moisturize and soothe dry skin.
11. Hanni Splash Salve
When it comes to in-shower moisturizers, Hanni Splash Salve is one I keep coming back to.
I loved using it last winter, and I’m reminded why every time I reach for it.
It melts into damp skin so easily, making the whole routine feel simple.
With ingredients like jojoba, shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin, it has a rich but smooth texture that works well in colder months.
The scent is incredible too, which I still point out even though I often remind people that fragrance can sometimes be irritating.
12. AmLactin Daily Nourish Lotion
If you’re dealing with rough, bumpy skin or uneven texture on your body, AmLactin Daily Nourish Lotion is one to look into.
It contains 12% lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates dead skin cells while helping keep your skin hydrated.
I recommend it for areas like your arms, legs, and back, where rough texture and clogged pores can be frustrating.
With consistent use, it can help smooth the skin and improve the appearance of uneven tone.
Since it contains an exfoliating acid, I’d start slowly if your skin is dry or sensitive, and use sunscreen on exposed areas.
13. Nerra Body Oil
I like using Nerra Body Oil as the final step in my body care routine during winter, when my skin tends to feel drier.
I usually layer it over a hydrating serum and body moisturizer, and I love using it after shaving to help keep my skin feeling soft and smooth.
The formula contains a blend of oils, including argan, rosehip, hibiscus seed, sacha inchi, and bataua fruit oil.
It also has coco-caprylate, which helps give it a lightweight feel.
It comes in a fragrance-free version and a Jasmine Wood scent, depending on what you prefer.
If you’re already using a body lotion but still dealing with dryness, adding a body oil on top can help reduce moisture loss.
How to Layer Your Moisturizers
You don’t need to use all these products together.
The key is figuring out what your skin needs and choosing a few that work well in your routine.
For your face, you can apply a hydrating toner like Laneige Cream Skin before your moisturizer.
If your skin feels dry at night, you can use a richer cream or finish with Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Nectar.
For your body, I like applying Saltair HA Body Hydrator while my skin is still damp after showering, followed by Soft Services Carea Cream or another body lotion.
If I need more moisture, I’ll finish with Nerra Body Oil to help reduce moisture loss.
You can adjust how much you layer depending on how your skin feels.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to wait until your skin starts feeling dry or irritated to make changes to your skincare routine for winter.
I’ve found that having a few hydrating products on hand makes it easier to adjust my routine as the weather changes.
Sometimes that means switching to a richer face cream, while other times I’ll add a body serum or oil after showering.
Hopefully, this roundup gives you a few ideas for what to try before the colder months are in full swing.
I’d love to know what moisturizers you’re using this winter.
Let me know in the comments!
Cheers,