Cold weather months often brings changes to our winter skin care routine and if you’re not changing up your beauty products each season, this is your sign to do so.

I, for one, always need way more moisture in my skincare routine come winter. And, as I’ve gotten older, my skin tends to be more temperamental and thirsty as soon as the dry winter air hits. So I’ve curated a different winter skincare routine that helps my skin adapt. This post has been freshly updated for the winter weather ahead.

Between freezing temps, dry indoor heat and low humidity, cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin barrier, causing flakiness, irritation and dehydration.  I also suffer from sensitive skin so a lot of these products help soothe sensitive skin in winter. 

Today I’m sharing my best winter skincare products for dry skin, including serums, face oils, moisturizers and body care that truly help combat winter dryness. I hope you find it helpful as we battle dry winter skin!

32 Skin Care Products For Cold Weather

Best Face Oils for Winter

If you’ve ever asked “should I use a face oil in winter?” The answer is probably yes! I find they go to work so quickly to heal and nourish skin. 

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil

A gorgeously light oil that is wonderful to add into your skincare routine for winter skin. It brightens and firms skin and one drop is great added to your daily moisturizer or to your favorite foundation for a bit of added hydration thanks to squalane.

I love that it is also recommended for all skin types. I use this as a PM facial oil as it is a bit slick.

Le Preunier Plum Beauty Oil

This is a really gorgeous oil you can use on your face but also hands, hair and body.  It helps to lock in moisture with a blend of nourishing vitamins and antioxidants. 

There is quite a sweet scent to it at first but it does dissipate quickly. 

Best Hydrating Serums

Osea Hyaluronic Sea Serum

This is such a good HA serum for when your skin needs a drink. I’ve gone through multiple bottles and it’s one of my favorite hyaluronic acid serums. It always feels like giving my skin a big drink of water when I apply it.

Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

One of my very favorite SkinCeuticals products, this stuff is like a drink of water for your skin. It’s a heavy dose of hyaluronic acid that’s known for its hydrating properties and there’s no wonder there’s thousands of good reviews. Every December I bring this back in rotation and it works wonders. (It’s actually specially formulated to help your moisturizer go to work, too!)

U Beauty The Super Hydrator

One of my very favorite skin care products for cold weather. My skin drinks this up. It is super effective if you suffer from dry skin. It is pricey but man, does it deliver.

I’ve gone through countless bottles and it has a place on my Holy Grail Beauty Products list.

Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Eye Cream for Fine Lines and Wrinkles

A rich, hydrating eye cream that also helps combat fine lines and dark circles so win/win.

U Beauty The Return Eye Concentrate

Another eye serum I love. Designed to visibly lift, smooth, plump and brighten, the result is restored moisture on this sensitive eye area.

Rhode Glazing Milk

A milky essence that is a great added boost of hydration to layer into your skincare routine. It’s nutrient-rich yet lightweight and is formulated to boost barrier function while providing immediate, luminous hydration. 

Pro tip? You can mix a few drops in with your foundation for a dewy, luminous skin-like tint. This is especially helpful if your makeup tends to look patchy in cold weather because of being dry.

Rich Moisturizers for Cold Weather

Dieux Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Firming Moisturizer

This hydrating moisturizer replenishes the skin barrier thanks to its lipid-rich formula that significantly smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and visibly firms skin over time.

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Moisturizer

A rich cream that hydrates & plumps, while improving skin’s moisture barrier & visibly smoothing lines for an instantly radiant, dewy look that lasts. If I’m doing my makeup for a photoshoot this is usually what I reach to use. It is my go-to AM moisturizer any day I am doing makeup.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

The other AM moisturizer I love is this nourishing face cream that leaves your skin feeling calm, soft, smooth & comfortable. French makeup artists swear by this cream and always have it on their kits. Its also loved by many a celebrity and I love that it works so seamlessly under makeup.

I buy it in the mini size as it is great for travel since it is part moisturizer, part makeup primer.

Best Winter Face Masks

Biologique Recherche Biosensible Mask

If you buy one mask for sensitive, very dry skin, let it be this one. It’s an ultra soothing cream mask that reduces redness, irritation and skin reactivity while strengthing the skin’s natural barrier.

(I swear by the brand’s soothing Lait Dermo-S cleanser year-round, too!)

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

This mask is a great shot of hydration for your skin. I use it more as a moisturizer than a mask as I never end up tissuing any of it off (my skin is THIRSTY this time of year) and I always bring it with me on planes to fight the dry air when you travel.

I personally only ever buy the mini tubes of this mask which are perfect for travel and why it is one of my Travel Essentials.

Farmacy Honey Potion Mask

Another favorite wintertime mask I’ve used for over five years. This mask is a dream to use this season because it warms on contact as you apply it all over your face. Its honey helps to get rid of any bacteria (great if you’re an acne sufferer) and skin is super plump and hydrated following use.

Youth to the People Superberry Hydate + Glow Mask

I love this overnight mask. While you sleep it goes to work to thoroughly hydrate, plump and brighten skin thanks to all the right ingredients-  superberries, squalane and hyaluronic acid.

Lip Care for Dry Winter Weather

Necessaire Lip Balm

I love, love, love this stuff in wintertime. It delivers instant relief for dry, chapped lips. It has niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, omega 6/9, and centella asiatica extract alongside shea butter to help restore lips and strengthen the lips. It’s got a great semi-gloss finish to make lips look plump and healthy and a subtle mint scent. 

Tatcha The Kissu Hydrating & Plumping Lip Mask

I wasn’t personally a fan of the Laniege Sleeping Lip Mask when I tried it – I prefer this one by Tatcha.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

For an affordable lip balm option, I always recommend Aquaphor Healing Ointment. Works quickly to heal chapped lips and I love how multi-purpose this stuff is! I’m reaching for my jar of it on the daily in Winter in the bathroom and I also keep an Aquaphor Stick in my nightstand for when my lips need added moisturizer in the middle of the night or upon waking.

(For what it’s worth, I also use this on any acne scars to help heal them more quickly. Works wonders!)

Related: My Favorite Beauty Tips + Tricks

Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment

With over 15,000 five star reviews I was intrigued to buy this and then went through it in record time and now it is a go-to for winter lips. It makes lips super pillowy soft and feel extra hydrated – particularly in dry weather.

It feels super restorative and I love having a go-to unscented nourishing balm for my lips. I’ve re-ordered it multiple times and I adore the tinted version in shade Toast, too.

Hand & Cuticle Care

Dior Cuticle Balm

My nails and cuticles are dry year round but even worse in winter but this cuticle balm is a lifesaver. A little goes a long, long way which helps justify the brand and associated price point. I never leave the house without it when I travel!

Necessaire Hand Cream

This hand cream is super fast absorbing and leaves no residue, no stickiness and no slickness behind after application. It was designed to act as an invisible globe for your hands – so skin is protected in dry air and defended against environmental stressors.

 A similar one I also love that has really gorgeous scent is the one by Corpus.

Chanel La Creme Main Hand Cream

Another hand cream I love – especially for how portable it is so I never travel without it. Plush it just looks oh so chic and smells amazing. Read more about my Chanel favorites in my The Best Chanel Makeup Products guide.

If you’re a fan of French beauty, don’t miss my Best French Skincare Brands post.

Body Care for Winter Skin

Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil

This body oil is amazing to use year round but I reach for it most when I am suffering from dry, itchy skin on my legs and arms. It’s super lightweight and has the most divine citrusy scent that I absolutely love. It softens and nourishes skin, sinks in quickly to lock in moisture and firms as well. They key is to apply it while your skin is still damp so make it your go-to post shower!

Osea Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum

This body serum when paired with the above body oil is such a winning duo. My skin has never felt more nourished and smooth and hydrated then when I get out of the shower and apply this serum followed by the oil. It’s become a ritual I cherish in the winter in particular as it ensures no itchy, irritated skin.

Related: Osea Malibu Review

Dry Brush

Do you dry brush your skin? If not, you’re missing out. It stimulates the lymphatic system to help rid the body of toxins and it can be a great way to exfoliate dry, winter skin on the body.

I like to do it in the Winter right before a warm shower where I then use a moisturizing body gel and then follow up with a body oil after getting out of the shower. My skin is much smoother and more radiant while being less itchy and irritated due to winter temperatures and dry air.

Susanne Kaufmann Essential Bath Oil for the Senses

I had to include this bath oil because it does double duty. It’s lovely and luxurious in your bath and then keeps your skin super soft afterwards.

If my skin is dry and itchy when I get into the bath, it’s resolved after when I use this bath oil that’s perfect for cold weather.

Glytone Ultra Softening Heel & Elbow Cream 

French Pharmacy Favorites

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5

Does your skin feel overly sensitized and in need of major TLC? Reach for this balm. It’s like a fancy aquaphor for your face but more wearable. It’ll repair your skin barrier and help it recover from any irritation. My skin loves this and I am always buying it at CityPharma in Paris.

There’s also a Cicaplast lip balm in case you’re interested.

Caudalie Grape Water

This has cult-status with my French friends (and their mothers!) This 100% organic grape water features 100% natural origin ingredients and sustainable packaging while being rich in minerals, potassium and moisturizing polysaccharides to deliver intense, immediate hydration.

It is particularly great if you have sensitive skin that needs soothing! I keep this on my nightstand whenever my skin feels like it needs a good drink via a face mist.

Filorga Sheet Masks

I’m not usually a fan of sheet masks but Filorga is the exception to my rule. I like to use them particularly after I do face lasers for added doses of hydration.

I am always repurchasing these when at the French Pharmacy.

Need guidance on how to layer your winter skincare? I’ve got you:

How to Layer Your Winter Skincare Routine

1. Gentle cleanser

2. Hydrating toner/essence 

3. Hyaluronic acid serum

4. Rich moisturizer

5. Face oil (at night)

6. Occlusive balm on dry patches

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