Winter Skin Savior: My Top 6 Moisturizers for 2024

Winter's chill brings more than just cozy sweaters and warm drinks; it also ushers in a season of dry, tight, and flaky skin. Just like swapping out your summer wardrobe for warmer layers, transitioning your skincare routine to richer, more hydrating formulas is essential for maintaining healthy, radiant skin throughout the colder months. I share my top winter moisturizer picks every year, and 2024 is no exception! While I still stand by my recommendations from last year, the beauty world is constantly evolving, and I'm excited to share some fresh finds that have earned a coveted spot in my winter skincare arsenal. These six moisturizers cater to a variety of skin types, from oily and acne-prone to dry and sensitive, so there's something for everyone. As someone with combination, acne-prone skin, I can personally attest to their efficacy and breakout-free performance.

This cream is the featherweight champion of my winter moisturizer lineup. Unlike many richer formulas that can leave a shiny residue, the Tower 28 Daily Barrier Recovery Cream absorbs beautifully, drying down to a skin-like finish. This makes it an excellent choice for those with oily skin, especially for daytime use. Don't let its lightweight texture fool you, though; even when my skin is parched, this cream delivers a surge of much-needed hydration.

The magic lies in its potent blend of skin-loving ingredients. Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin, while ceramides work to repair and strengthen the skin barrier, preventing moisture loss. Allantoin soothes irritation and further protects against dehydration, and glycerin adds another layer of humectant power. It plays well with other skincare products, layering seamlessly under sunscreen and makeup without pilling. It's also a fantastic companion for active ingredients like retinol, tretinoin, and glycolic acid, buffering their potential dryness. Housed in a convenient squeeze tube containing 1.86 fluid ounces, this fragrance-free cream is a versatile addition to any winter skincare routine. For an extra boost of skin-soothing benefits, I love pairing it with the Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray, which contains hypochlorous acid, a powerful ingredient for calming inflammation and redness.

This recent launch from Dr. Dennis Gross has quickly become a staple in my routine. If you're familiar with the Derm Infusions Fill + Repair Serum (a true multi-tasker that addresses texture, tone, and wrinkles while hydrating and repairing), you'll love its creamy counterpart. Together, they form a dynamic duo for combating the visible signs of aging.

The Blur + Repair Cream boasts four different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, providing multi-level hydration and plumping. Ceramides reinforce the skin barrier, while shea butter delivers deep nourishment. Peptides work to firm the skin and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and squalene and resveratrol provide antioxidant protection against environmental damage. This luxuriously moisturizing cream layers beautifully under sunscreen and makeup, making it suitable for both morning and evening routines. It comes in a 50ml pump bottle, dispensing just the right amount of product with each use.

Drunk Elephant offers a trio of excellent moisturizers, each catering to different hydration needs. The Protini™ Polypeptide Cream is the lightest, followed by the Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream, and finally, the ultra-rich Bora Barrier Repair Cream. This thickest formula is a true lifesaver for dry, tight, and compromised skin. The blend of nourishing oils provides instant relief and comfort, restoring suppleness and elasticity.

Beyond its oil-rich base, the Bora Barrier Repair Cream contains copper and zinc gluconate to reduce redness and calm irritation. Alpha-glucan soothes the skin, while six butter lipid complexes work synergistically to maintain a healthy skin barrier. It's ideal for daily use, particularly at night. While it can be used in the morning, be mindful of its richness when pairing it with sunscreen; opt for a lighter sunscreen formula to avoid a heavy feeling. This fragrance-free cream is a must-have for anyone battling winter dryness.

This is my personal favorite from Tatcha, a cream that truly does it all. It targets signs of aging, hydrates deeply, repairs the skin barrier, and reduces redness. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid provide a powerful hydration boost, while mondo grass root extract helps balance the skin's microbiome. Japanese indigo extract, a key ingredient, soothes and repairs the skin barrier, promoting a healthy, resilient complexion.

This rich cream imparts a beautiful, healthy glow to the skin. While marketed as an overnight cream, its radiant finish makes it a lovely option for daytime use as well. It layers well under sunscreen and makeup, but keep in mind that its glow is more pronounced than the Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream. This luminous finish is a welcome addition to my morning routine, giving my skin a healthy, radiant appearance. This cream is also fragrance-free.

This thick, rich cream is my go-to for nighttime hydration during the harsh winter months. While labeled as a night cream, it can be incorporated into your morning routine if your other skincare and makeup products layer well with it.

This drugstore gem is packed with skin-nourishing ingredients. Three types of ceramides work to restore and maintain the skin barrier, while hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration. A tripeptide helps to improve skin texture, and dimethicone creates a smooth, silky feel. Niacinamide, a powerful antioxidant, offers multiple benefits, including hydration, preventing moisture loss, and addressing discoloration. While I wouldn't recommend this cream solely for treating significant discoloration, the niacinamide contributes to its overall hydrating and skin-improving properties.

This French pharmacy staple is a true holy grail product for me. I particularly enjoy using it in my morning routine, but it works equally well at night. Its lotion-like texture belies its rich, moisturizing properties. Shea butter, aloe vera, and beeswax are the key ingredients that nourish and protect the skin.

The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is a true multi-tasker. It can be used as a makeup primer (a favorite among professional makeup artists), a makeup remover, a body lotion, and even a face mask. It imparts a beautiful glow to the skin and layers seamlessly under sunscreen and other skincare products. It does contain a classic, subtle fragrance, which I personally love, but a fragrance-free version is available for those with sensitive skin.

These are my top six winter moisturizer recommendations for 2024. I hope this guide helps you navigate the world of winter skincare and find the perfect hydrating hero for your skin. Don't hesitate to share your own favorite winter moisturizers in the comments below!