Winter weather is officially upon us, meaning chilling temperatures are becoming the norm. Dry skin, chapped lips and itchy scalps are likely the bane of your existence during this frigid time, but it doesn't have to be like that, thanks to the best winter skin care products on the market.
Shop TODAY tapped several board-certified dermatologists to share winter skin care "plans" that will help you soothe these skin care woes as fast as possible. Plus, board-certified dermatologist and TODAY contributor Dr. Michelle Henry previously stopped by Studio 1A to reveal some of her favorite dry skin relief products.
From your hair to your toes and everything in between, the pros have protective and budget-friendly picks to help you endure this cold stretch and remedy any skin care problems you might encounter.
Best scent-free moisturizer$28.47$34.99
Winter skin relief products previously seen on TODAY
Think of this serum as a drink of water for your skin. Formulated with pineapple ceramides, pro-vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid, Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra Serum offers daily hydration to soothe and replenish dry, irritated skin.
Tackling two common skin concerns — dryness and aging — the RoC Retinol Correxion Cream is a true treat for irritated and/or mature skin. With a blend of retinol and hyaluronic acid, you’ll receive smoothing benefits and lasting hydration. “This is gentle enough for daily use; great for men and women,” recommends Henry.
“In the winter, we need a cleanser that won’t dry our skin out,” suggests Henry. “This one from First Aid Beauty is an ultra gentle cleanser that removes makeup and impurities while soothing and hydrating our skin.” Say goodbye to drying cleansers!
Elevate your shower routine with Avéne’s XeraCalm Shower Cream. This product nourishes while it deeply cleanses the skin, thanks to powerful ingredients like niacinamide, milk thistle oil and of course, Avéne’s beloved spring water. Henry says this all is what makes the shower cream great for daily use for all skin types, including eczema-prone, psoriasis-prone and sensitive skin.
“One of the worst parts of winter is the feeling of dry and itchy skin,” notes Henry. “[An] unscented gel is a great way to manage eczema-prone and sensitive skin. This one from Cetaphil is non-steroidal, and can reduce itch in 30 seconds, according to the brand.”
Dry hands and cuticles can be uncomfortable. Soothe this discomfort with Bioderma’s Atoderm cream, which can be used to moisturize dry skin and reinforce the nails. Thus, it’s offering you two perks in one!
Winter skin care for your hands
If you've been washing your hands frequently (as you should!), you're probably looking for a few tips and tricks for preventing them from becoming dry and cracked. Luckily, the pros were nice enough to share the following insider knowledge with us.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Wattenberg suggests using a moisturizing cleanser and drying your hands with a paper towel rather than an air dryer and then following up with a cream-based moisturizer immediately after drying.
While you're outside, Wattenberg recommends wearing gloves to keep your hands protected. And whether you're cleaning indoors, watching TV or sleeping, Wattenberg also suggests wearing cotton gloves after applying a rich ointment.
If your hands can get inflamed or cracked in the winter, Wattenberg says you can apply an over-the-counter cortisone for a few days then a creamy moisturizer.
While regularly washing your hands is a good thing, it can still do a number on your skin. Dr. Robert Anolik, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, recommends opting for an ointment-style cream to help counter the drying effects of cleanser.
Below are a few products the pros recommend to keep your hands moisturized this season.
Wattenberg enjoys this hand wash that’s made with a gentle formulation of cleansers, as well as a combination of skin nutrients and moisturizers that help keep your hands soft and hydrated.
“This hydrating cream from Neutrogena feels like an ointment, but is also light enough to rub in before heading out for the day without leaving your hands feeling greasy,” Anolik says.
This drugstore find has Wattenberg’s approval. It’s fragrance-free, gentle enough for daily use and, according to the brand, provides enough moisture to last 48 hours.
Looking for an overnight solution? These gloves that Wattenberg adores can be worn up to three times per week to help lock in moisture. The brand also says the gloves are enriched with jojoba oil, mineral oil and olive oil to help make your skin softer.
“Not surprisingly, exposed areas are the hardest hit in winter, which when compounded by the wash/dry cycle of hand washing, means hands get wrecked in winter,” Dr. Bobby Buka, co-founder of The Dermatology Specialists, says.
The dermatologist swears by this intensely hydrating cream from First Aid Beauty that can be used on both the face and body.
There’s dry skin and then there’s really dry, cracked skin — and the latter is pretty common in winter. Aquaphor’s healing ointment is formulated with 41% petrolatum, which helps to gently heal cracks and dry spots.
“It’s a thicker product that’s well-suited for dry hands, especially in the evening, and enriched with soothing lanolin for further hydration,” Anolik says.
Winter skin care for your face
Dealing with breakouts? Masks and scarves can exacerbate acne, so the pros recommend making a few adjustments to your skin care routine.
During this time of year, Wattenberg and Anolik tell their clients to cut back on products formulated with drying ingredients such as retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, alcohol and salicylic acid.
Instead, Anolik and Wattenberg suggest adding products to your routine that include hyaluronic acid and other hydrating agents. "Moisturize with heavier products than used in summer as needed. Often this involves creams from jars instead of lotions that come out of pumps," Anolik says.
Wattenberg says the skin cycling method — which involves alternating your products to help avoid drying and inflammation and keep your skin hydrated and looking fresh — is effective for winter. "Specifically limit drying products like retinol, salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Use these one nights a week, then a moisturizer and then a hydrating serum and moisturizer. Every night addresses a different skin issue," she says.
Adjusting your face wash when the temperature drops isn’t a bad idea, either, especially because winter skin can be a lot more sensitive. “Winter is a season to switch to gentler, more hydrating cleansers to avoid stripping away natural oils that are essential for your skin’s health,” Dr. Tiffany Libby says.
Dr. Dendy Engelman notes how important it is to keep the skin protected from the sun, too... "even in the winter!" She suggests wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 during the day.
Below are a few products the pros recommend to keep your facial skin moisturized this season.
While you may be bundling up with scarves, gloves and more to keep warm, your face will likely be exposed to the harsh winter winds and temperatures.
To help lock moisture in, Engelman suggests switching to a thicker face product like this dry skin gel from Bio-Oil, which is made from oils and humectants that hydrate the skin (it can also be used on your lips and cuticles).
Henry describes this cleanser as a “a nourishing cleansing milk that gently removes makeup while moisturizing the skin.” With everything from stubborn mascara to heavy makeup, this oil-based cleanser has you covered.
Libby often recommends Cetaphil’s Gentle Cleanser as a daily cleanser and suggests cutting back on harsher exfoliating options during the drier winter months.
Henry recommends using this cream-based moisturizer for cleansing both your body and face during the winter. When choosing a cleanser, she suggests picking products that are fragrance-free and gentle for the skin.
Henry recommends this face wash from La Roche-Posay that's infused with prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3 and glycerin. It can even be used to remove face and eye makeup.
Henry loves this serum from L’Oreal and says focusing on building your skin barrier with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane and glycerin is key during this time of year.
La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Balm is formulated with prebiotics that promote the skin’s microbiome, which Henry says makes it “great for eczema-prone skin.”
This is another hyaluronic acid-packed pick that Henry recommends. It is also formulated with aloe and, according to the brand, provides 100 hours of hydration.
Another product recommended by Henry, The Dewy Skin Cream from Tatcha, doesn’t just sit pretty on your vanity. While visibly plumping and hydrating the skin, the brand says your skin should be left with a radiant glow. It’s no wonder "dewy" is in its name.
Winter skin care for your lips
Wattenberg suggests preventing chapped lips by applying your favorite lip balm before lips dry out. Also, it may be hard, but Anolik says it's best to limit licking, biting or picking your lips.
Make sure your lip balm has an SPF, even in the winter time. “Lips experience the same ultraviolet damage as the surrounding face. UV damaged lips over time look smaller, less well defined and scaly, and can be prone to skin cancer,” Anolik said.
Celebrity aesthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar suggests exfoliating regularly in winter: "I tell my clients to exfoliate their lips two to three times a week and apply a lip balm constantly,” she says.
It's also important to avoid irritating lip products that include fragrance or salicylic acid and opt for ingredients like shea butter, petrolatum and mineral oil. "Too often, people feel that a stinging or tingling sensation means the product is working but more often than not it’s just irritation and this could be a worsening lip condition," Anolik says.
"Examples of potentially irritating ingredients include things like fragrance or salicylic acid."
Wind and indoor heating can dry out your lips a lot, so we tend to primarily focus on moisturizing our lips in winter. However, protecting them against the sun year-round is just as important!
Anolik suggests looking for a lip balm with sunscreen like this fragrant one from Sun Bum. “It offers sun protection and the soothing benefits of coconut,” he says.
Libby says lips often get dry and chapped in the winter months because "they can’t produce the protective oils to keep themselves moisturized.” She swears by this lip balm that keeps her pucker hydrated for hours on end.
Winter skin care for your body
Facial skin typically gets all the attention, but your body skin also needs a bit of TLC during the coldest months of the year.
The best time to apply your moisturizer, according to Wattenberg? Right after you get out of the shower. Opt for moisturizers that contain ingredients like ammonium lactate or hyaluronic acid, and avoid those with fragrances. Wattenberg Also suggests applying moisturizer twice a day in the winter if you can.
Anolik suggests keeping your showers short (five to 10 minutes) and using lukewarm rather than hot water. "Although the hot water may feel nice on cold days, it is actually worsening your skin barrier, making dryness even worse in the long run," he says. And if your legs are extra dry, Anolik suggests using an ointment-based moisturizer (like petroleum jelly) while sleeping at night.
Anolik tells his clients to use cleansers as opposed to soaps while bathing. "True soaps don't help with the pH balance for the body and they strip oils that hydrate the skin," he says. Anolik also suggests avoiding hand towels, loofahs, and other scrubbing tools in the shower since they can irritate the skin barrier and ultimately lead to further dryness.
Engelman is a fan of moisturizing body wash during the winter, especially if you have dry skin. "I like to do the 'soak and grease' method post-shower. While your skin is still damp, apply a body oil or body lotion to lock in more moisture," she says.
Below are a few products the pros recommend to keep your body skin moisturized this season.
If you simply can’t give up warm (not scalding!) water in the shower, Aguilar says creating an artificial barrier for your skin can help. “Lather this grapeseed oil all over your body prior to jumping in the shower. Avoid applying it to your feet to prevent a slippery surface. Then follow with a hydrating body wash such as a creamy or oil cleanser,” she said.
If you’ve ever felt like the skin on your elbows or knees “belong on a lizard and not your body,” Engelman says you should try this ointment. It is fragrance-free and formulated with skin-loving ingredients that can help soothe and heal dry skin.
When it comes to your body, a moisturizing wash like this one from Dove can do the trick. Henry says she also likes the bar version for dry skin.
Prefer a lighter feel? Try this gel cream that Wattenberg recommends. Since it’s made with hyaluronic acid, the brand says it helps to hydrate the skin and retain moisture.
You’re likely familiar with retinol’s anti-aging benefits for your face, but how about the benefits it has on your body? Engelman suggests using this overnight lotion to treat “crepey” or sagging skin all over. It is made with an exfoliating retinol peptide complex that Engelman says supports the skin’s renewal process.
The key to preventing your skin from getting dry? Taking shorter showers, according to Engelman. To help cut down on an often time-consuming part of your shower routine, she suggests using this shave bar, which is made with ingredients that moisturize the skin and help reduce redness and irritation.
Dry skin requires regular attention but reapplying lotion isn’t always practical. Luckily, this moisturizer provides 24-hour hydration and a gentle, non-irritating formula. “This cream not only hydrates but also restores the skin barrier with hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides,” Shah tells us.
Libby says the key to hydrated skin is ceramides, and this lotion has plenty of them. “Ceramides are the natural lipids that help our skin barrier stay intact and healthy and allow it to hold onto moisture,” she says. “This is my favorite wintertime body product.”
Just like with your feet, exfoliating can help remove dead and dry skin on your body, as well as remove product residue like thick creams and lotions. Henry loves this brown sugar scrub from Fresh since it helps exfoliate without damaging the skin and is made with jojoba oil.
Winter skin care for your scalp
Many of us deal with a dry, itchy scalp during this time of year. But you can fight back! Here are some tips from the pros.
During the winter, Engelman says there is less moisture in the air, which can strip the scalp of its natural oils. "Those natural oils are essential for moisturizing the skin, keeping out harmful toxins, and preventing flaking — so it is important to show the scalp some extra care during the colder months," she says.
She recommends using a moisturizing pre-shampoo treatment or post-wash mask to add moisture back to the scalp and hair.
Anolik recommends seeing a dermatologist if your dry scalp moves past the manageable stage because it can often be a sign of an underlying skin conditions like dandruff and psoriasis.
Below are a few products the pros recommend to keep your scalp moisturized this season.
Opting for an anti-dandruff shampoo like this Dove pick can help to alleviate dandruff and reduce symptoms of a dry, itchy scalp. Plus, Engelman says it has a mild, pH-balanced formula that is gentle on hair.
This tried-and-true brand is another pick Wattenberg says can help prevent a dry, itchy scalp this winter. With regular use, the brand says it can help relieve itchiness, dryness and reduce visible dandruff flakes.
Don’t leave your locks out of the picture! The right products can help protect your hair from breakage as a result of dry winter air. Henry loves using Olaplex No. 3 as a pre-shampoo treatment during the winter.
Oils can also help your hair beat winter woes. Moroccanoil’s argan oil is one Henry recommends.
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How we chose these skin care picks
These winter skin care picks were based on expert insights and recommendations. The list includes a variety of products for every skin type and budget, with options for hands, lips, face, body and scalps.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on winter skin care products for hair and skin. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Michelle Henry is a board-certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, speaker, trainer, author and TODAY contributor.
- Natalie Aguilar is a celebrity aesthetician and dermatological nurse.
- Dr. Robert Anolik, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He specializes in cosmetic dermatology and laser skin surgery.
- Dr. Bobby Buka is the co-founder of The Dermatology Specialists (TDS), a dermatology practice located in New York City.
- Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City.
- Dr. Tiffany Libby is a Mohs surgeon and double board-certified cosmetic and laser dermatologist.
- Dr. Debra Wattenberg, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and founder of NY Skin RX.
