Featured Experts
Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
Dr. Joel L. Cohen, a board-certified dermatologist in Greenwood Village, Colorado
Winter weather can bring with it a whole host of skin-care issues. The freezing-cold air outside mixed with the dry, hot heat inside makes for an unpleasant combination that often results in flaky, red, dull, and/or sensitive skin.
There is a difference between dry and dehydrated skin, and there are treatments for both. “Dry skin is a skin type,” explains Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “You are usually genetically predisposed to dry skin and experience dry skin throughout the year. Dry skin has to do with the oil content of your skin. Dry skin is especially prone to dehydration.”
Dehydrated skin, she explains, is usually seasonal. It can be brought on by things like traveling, thanks to dry air in a plane cabin or excess stress. “Dehydrated skin has to do with water content in the skin,” says Dr. Bowe. “Cold weather outdoors and dry heat indoors can steal moisture from your skin, leading to dehydration this time of year. Although all skin types (dry, normal, oily, combination) can become dehydrated, especially in the winter, dry skin is especially vulnerable.”
If you have both dry and dehydrated skin, it results in sensitive skin. Those with very sensitive skin may develop more redness and have irritation with products or ingredients that they can tolerate in the warmer months.
Below, find our favorite new skin-care products with hydrating, reparative, and protective ingredients to help combat winter issues.
Dryness and flakiness
Ceramides are a key ingredient to look for when shopping for winter skin care. They decrease in number with age and can be depleted faster if you frequently use drying products or if your skin is particularly stressed. “Ceramides are rich fats, or lipids, naturally found in skin that help to support the protective skin barrier,” explains Dr. Bowe. “A healthy skin barrier is vital to prevent moisture loss and protect the skin against environmental aggressors. Ceramides work to replenish, moisturize, and soothe skin plus help to improve the look of texture, strength, hydration, and skin elasticity, which can also help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Another hero ingredient for winter is squalane. “Squalane is a light, emollient, and skin-friendly oil that works to moisturize and keep skin soft, smooth, and flexible,” says Dr. Bowe. “Because squalane is so similar to squalene, a natural oil found in skin, it absorbs quickly, feels lightweight, and is instantly compatible with skin. It’s one of my favorite ingredients for sensitive or reactive skin, and even my acne-prone patients are able to use squalane without breaking out.”
Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty’s Bowe Glowe Microbiome Nourishing Cream ($95)
For a stronger microbiome, this cream has been clinically tested to repair the skin barrier in just one hour. It’s great for sensitive skin because it contains no fragrance or essential oils. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and refillable.
Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream ($69)
This ultra-thick cream has been clinically proven to provide 24 hours of moisture, thanks to the butter-lipid complex (including ceramides) and zinc and copper gluconates, which also help with redness and provide antioxidants. It was formulated for those with dry skin who live in harsh climates or those who frequently get treatments like lasers or peels.
SkinFix Dermatitis Relief Balm for Face and Body ($45)
If your itchiness and flakiness is caused by eczema, this new repair balm promises to treat dermatitis anywhere on the face or body using a patented formula that’s clinically proven to be as effective as 1% hydrocortisone—without using any steroids. It is formulated with 5% colloidal oatmeal, 1% ceramides, humectants (glycerin), and emollients (shea butter and squalene) to calm, soothe, hydrate, and protect affected skin. It’s even ophthalmologist-tested to be safe for use on eyelids.
TRNR Skin Prebiotic Lipid Nourishing Moisturizer ($48)
TRNR Skin was cofounded by board-certified, Harvard-trained NYC dermatologist Dr. Ryan Turner, and the brand’s three-step debut collection has impressed us. The moisturizer is super-hydrating yet not thick or sticky. It contains ceramides derived from jojoba oil and rice bran, to repair the skin barrier, plus squalane, to promote moisture. The prebiotics work to promote a healthy skin microbiome—a must during harsh winter weather.
Untoxicated Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream ($25)
This brand, formulated by an allergist and containing no dyes, sulfates, parabens, or fragrances, is perfect for those who are allergy-prone or have sensitive skin. This formula is packed with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycolipids, to deliver moisture and then lock it in.
Colorescience Barrier Pro Barrier Health Dream Duo ($115)
This duo packs a barrier-repair punch. Start with the Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser, a formula gentle enough not to strip but powerful enough to exfoliate while replenishing and hydrating the skin. Follow with the Barrier Pro Essential Moisturizer, featuring trimolecular hyaluronic acid, snow mushroom extract, and sugar-delivered squalane to deeply hydrate, while goji berry extract and lactobacillus ferment delivers healthy bacteria resulting in a microbiome that is balanced and stable.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
BeautyStat Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer ($72)
Dry winter skin can exacerbate the look of fine lines and wrinkles. This new moisturizer contains next-generation peptides that plump skin and soften wrinkles over time. It is formulated with a conotoxin and a hexapeptide, which work in a (very mild) Botox-like fashion on the skin’s outermost layers, while boosting hydration for a smoother complexion.
Maelove Peptide Squad Collagen Renewal Serum ($48)
A worthy addition to any winter regimen, this serum contains 4 categories of peptides that help to protect against collagen degradation, and improve wrinkling, skin elasticity and hydration. It layers on nicely under moisturizers and plays well with other active ingredients such as niacinamide and vitamin C.
Redness
Musely The Red Rescue
Musely partners with doctors to evaluate your skin concerns and needs. If you are a candidate for a prescription, this FSA/HSA-supported cream uses oxymetazoline to reduce redness and inflammation.
Senté Dermal Repair Cream ($164) and Dermal Repair Ultra Nourish ($179)
“These have clinical trial data showing that [they] help decrease facial redness, with their hero ingredient called Heparan Sulfate Analog—HSA—and help establish the skin barrier to prevent irritation,” says Dr. Joel L. Cohen, a board-certified dermatologist in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
Dullness
In winter especially, Dr. Cohen says to look for products with vitamin C to help brighten and rejuvenate dull skin.
Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner ($38)
This new toner helps to deliver a radiant, more even complexion using collagen-supporting amino acids and potent antioxidants cloudberry concentrate and CoQ10. The former contains vitamins C and E, to brighten and hydrate; the latter works to strengthen skin. Use it after cleansing and before moisturizing, for optimal absorption.
Prequel Lucent C Brightening Vitamin C Serum ($23)
Ths watery serum is packed with active ingredients 15% L-ascrobic acid blended with ferulic acid, niacinamide, and ergothioneine to make a vitamin C treatment that brightens, combats free radicals, and enhances skin tone. It’s housed in an opaque pump bottle, to preserve product stability, and comes at an accessible price point, making this one of the most exciting launches to hit in recent months.
Farmacy Honey Glow 17% AHA+BHA Resurfacing Acid Serum ($60)
This AHA plus BHA nighttime serum uses the proven exfoliating ingredients glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, and it promises to boost skin radiance and soften fine lines in as little as five days. It also includes hyaluronic acid and the brand’s signature honey, to hydrate and nurture skin while it resurfaces, so you’re left with smoothness, not flakiness.
Hydrinity Vivid Brightening Serum ($150)
Its patented RPH Technology helps to fade hyperpigmentation while preventing future pigmentation using peptides and botanicals like fruit extracts, AHAs, and hyaluronic acid. After just two weeks, 80% of users reported brighter, more even skin tone and a glow, while about 70% said their pores were less visible and that they noticed less pigmentation and fewer age spots.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Day Cream ($28)
This drugstore moisturizer is loved by derms because of its ceramides that keep skin hydrated and plump as well as the SPF 30, which provides UVA and UVB protection. Wearing sunscreen is just as important in the winter, and this multipurpose pick delivers protection while also helping to smooth lines and wrinkles and resurface skin texture via encapsulated retinol.
Uneven texture
Furtuna Skin’s Triple Active Exfoliator ($115)
This exfoliator evens tone, brightens, smooths, and retexturizes, thanks to AHAs and PHAs. However, olive oil keeps the formula gentle enough to be used even by those with sensitive skin.
IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Gel Cream ($59)
If you have oily, combination, or acne-prone skin or large pores, this oil-free gel cream is a top pick. It tones skin, reduces the appearance of pores, and controls oil—delivering moisture without producing shine.
Biopelle’s Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser ($30)
“This does a great job of improving skin smoothness and texture with its formula of 10% glycolic acid, to exfoliate the skin, and taurine, to help with irritation,” says Dr. Cohen, who recommends using it daily or every other day.
Chapped lips
Lanolips 12-Hour Overnight Lip Mask ($18)
This lip mask repairs and replenishes your lips while you sleep. The formula, which contains vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, and honey, also uses plant waxes to seal in moisture. The brand is cruelty-free and formulated without petroleum or mineral oils.
Marin Skincare Lip Treatments ($20)
This treatment is clinically proven to prevent dryness and can help heal perioral dermatitis (a rash surrounding the mouth and lips). The hero ingredient is marine glycoproteins, a by-product from lobsters that is upcycled into skin care. The protein compound helps the animal heal from distress, even aiding in limb regeneration.
