Samuel 13 Skincare Products That Will Help You Survive Winter, According to Our Editors
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It’s the most dreadful time of the year…for our skin. Winter. The weather outside is frightful, and my cheeks, lips, hands, and feet couldn’t feel more ghastly. During the colder months, I make it my mission to lather myself up with creams, ointments, and oils—because nothing is worse than dry, cracked skin. For years, I’ve struggled with parched skin during the colder months, but my symptoms intensified when I moved to New York City in 2021. At one point I thought I was going to shrivel up and disappear.
Of course, as a beauty editor, I have access to a plethora of products, estheticians, and dermatologists, so I decided to build a routine that would keep my skin feeling hydrated amid the most frigid temperatures. I’ve learned a few hacks along the way, like lathering my legs with Vaseline because according to my boyfriend, who played football in high school, it’s “basically an extra layer of skin.” I also layer butters and oils immediately after showing (because that locks in moisture) while also prioritizing my water intake and at-home face masks so that my skin feels as supported as possible. Additionally, I keep a tiny vanity bag of products in my work tote and weekend handbags so that I can reapply on the go.
If you’re looking to arm yourself with winter skincare saviors, look no further. In addition to myself, I’ve tapped my fellow editors and colleagues to share their go-to products that help them survive the chilly seasons.
Keep scrolling to hear our thoughts and find products to add to your regimen:
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Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Image Credit: Illiyoon/Amazon Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate CreamOn Sale 14% off“It comes as no surprise that I also constantly reach for Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream. This K-beauty formula calls on plant-sourced ceramides (my CeraVe body cream fave is additionally packed with ceramides) to strengthen the skin barrier and combat skin irritants. I keep a huge tube of this product on my office desk and apply it whenever my hands feel dry after washing my hands frequently or from the brisk winter air outside. The brand claims this hydrating formula promises an impressive 100-hour moisture retention window, so if you’re looking for an extra long-lasting face, body, or hand cream, give this one a go.” —Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate E-commerce Editor.Good For: Dry Hands
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Glossier After Baume Barrier Recovery Cream
Image Credit: Sephora Glossier After Baume Barrier Recovery Cream“When I worked at Glossier, After Baume was the product I constantly recommended. As someone with dry skin, After Baume is perfect for hydrating my skin during the winter months. I use it as an everyday moisturizer and on my elbows and cuticles when they’re feeling extra dry. It’s great for slugging before bed, and it never irritates my sensitive skin like other products do.” —Kleigh Balugo, Trending Beauty WriterGood For: Everyday Moisturizer
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Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment
Image Credit: Rhode Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment“I know that the Rhode Lip Treatment gets mixed reviews where some people get bad batches, so I feel the need to acknowledge that, but I have literally never had that happen to me. The lip balms I’ve gotten have all been incredible. I’ve used both tinted and untinted, and I adore them both. They’re so nourishing and hydrating. They’re thick without feeling sticky or heavy.” —Aamina Inayat Khan, Trending Style WriterGood For: Hydrated Lips
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Tower 28 SOS LipSoftie® Hydrating Lip Treatment
Image Credit: Sephora Tower 28 SOS LipSoftie® Hydrating Lip Treatment“Tower28 has been my go-to lip balm in the past year and it’s doing wonders for my skin during the dry winter. The ube vanilla flavor really echos a Limited-Too lip smackers and the purple pigment really shines through when I’m wearing all white. It’s an easy application and smooth enough that one swipe is really all you need to brave the outdoor commute.” —Lea Veloso, Entertainment WriterGood For: Dry Lips
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CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Image Credit: Amazon CeraVe Moisturizing CreamOn Sale 5% offAs a shopping editor, I get sent a lot of body creams, but not a single one has been able to take the crown from my beloved CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. This is another bathroom mainstay I’ve been reordering for several years. I apply it to my legs and arms after showering and have never felt such soft and smooth skin. I love how it comes in a huge tub so I can slather it all over year round. The goop is relatively thick, but like the Neutrogena hand cream, it almost immediately sinks into my skin and doesn’t leave me feeling greasy. As for what it does, three essential ceramides help support the skin’s natural barrier and hyaluronic acid delivers deep hydration. Don’t forget that the Moisturizing Cream works on the face, body, and hands—it’s a true multipurpose formula!” —Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate E-commerce EditorGood For: Dry skin (body)
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Tower 28 SOS Recovery Cream
Image Credit: Sephora Tower 28 SOS Recovery Cream“There’s nothing I hate more than a greasy moisturizer, which is exactly why I’m such a huge fan of the Tower 28 Recovery Cream. It’s great for moisturizing my skin without weighing it down. I find that it’s super lightweight and leaves my skin feeling soft all day long, even when it’s super cold out.” —Kleigh Balugo, Trending Beauty WriterGood For: Dry skin (body)
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Eucerin Original Healing Enriched Creme
Image Credit: Amazon/Eucerin Eucerin Original Healing Enriched Creme“I used to struggle with dry, cracked hands in the winter and the Eucerin Original Healing Soothing Repair Creme has single-handedly solved that issue. Every night after showering, I use a small amount on my hands and wake up to nourished, moisturized skin. The consistency is pretty thick, but a little goes a long way. I’ve had the same container for multiple seasons now so it gives you a pretty good bang for your buck!” —Jennifer Adams, Lifestyle WriterGood For: Dry, cracked skin
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Avene Cicalfate+ Protective Cream
Image Credit: Avene Avene Cicalfate+ Protective Cream“This formula is so thick, it goes on almost as though you’re lathering a diaper rash cream—and that’s what I need every winter. It’s the only formula that reliably soothes and hydrates my skin, truly protecting my skin barrier while fighting inflammation (redness) without making me break out. I used this while I was pregnant, when I was postpartum, and I even use it on my 5-month-old’s super sensitive skin. I use it primarily on my face, but you can use it all over. French pharmacy skincare for the win!” —Gina Vaynshteyn, Senior Commerce DirectorGood For: Inflammation
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Fenty Beauty Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream
Image Credit: Fenty/Sephora Fenty Beauty Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream“I have really dry skin, so I have to literally lather my body in the winter because I’m prone to cracked skin. I usually reach for Vaseline, so when I first tried Fenty’s Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream about two years ago, I was in awe. The name doesn’t lie. It’s butter for your skin. In addition to the tropical smell, the product is packed with a blend of oils—including Coconut, Jojoba, and Kalahari Melon, as well as Glycerin and Shea Butter, giving my skin all the moisture it needs—lasting from day to night. I don’t have to worry about reapplying. Plus, it’s great as a hand cream too!” —Robyn Merrett, Style & Beauty EditorGood For: Hands, body
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Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Image Credit: Ulta/Aquaphor Aquaphor Healing Ointment“Half of my friend group has been on Acutane and always had it on hand from that, so that’s how I really got into using it all the time. It’s a perfect product, not just for lips, but for anything. I put it on my cuticles and as hand cream. I use it as a slugging product. I put it on my eyelids and lips before bed,” —Aamina Inayat Khan, Trending Style WriterGood For: Anything
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Vaseline
Image Credit: Amazon/Vaseline VaselineOn Sale 12% off“Whenever the seasons change from fall to winter, my lips go through a crisis. They get extremely dry to the point of peeling and itching. And each year there’s only one product that comes to the rescue, but it changes each winter. This time around, upon my eczema-prone friend’s recommendation, Vaseline saved my pout from more discomfort and flaking. It gave my lips pretty much immediate relief and continues to do so as the temperatures dwindle. While I wish I didn’t have to dip my fingers into the tub to apply (it’s not the most hygienic), this 100% pure petroleum jelly is worth it. The fragrance-free formula heals my dry, irritated lips like no other, and it’s yet another super affordable, drugstore winter skincare essential.” — Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate E-commerce EditorGood For: Dry skin, eczema. Good for all-day moisture, deep penetration.
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SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum
Image Credit: SkinCeuticals SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum“I’ve learned that *sometimes* you have to break the bank when it comes to skincare. Sometimes! Don’t come for me. While the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum is nearly $200, it has done wonders for my dermis. I’ve been using it for almost two months now, and the glow is unreal. My skin feels like I drenched myself with water and the moisture lasts ALL DAY. I sometimes layer this with other serums, but I don’t need to. I apply this, a moisturizer, SPF, and I’m out the door. It’s especially great amid the chill in New York City, which usually results in dry skin around my nose. Luckily, I haven’t experienced that at all.” —Robyn Merrett, Style & Beauty EditorGood For: Sensitive, dry, and dehydrated skin. Helps with texture and firmness.
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