Preparation
As brisk weather rolls in, so too does everyone’s worst enemy: dry skin. The cooler temperatures can leave your face and body feeling raw, cracked, and inflamed, but the right lotion can help stave off this uncomfortable inconvenience entirely.
You simply need to prepare your skin for the harsher weather, explains Stacy Chimento, a board-certified dermatologist at Miami’s Riverchase Dermatology. “During colder months, your skin is more susceptible to becoming dry and dull-looking due to the dehydrating effects of the winter,” says Dr. Chimento. “When it gets cold, our pores tend to shrink, which causes heat to accumulate, resulting in oily skin. It can also become prone to acne breakouts, rashes, and infections.”
There are a few ways dermatologists recommend combatting dry skin—shower with lukewarm water, avoid scrubbing, or invest in a humidifier. But perhaps the most effective way to prevent this issue is to moisturize your face and body regularly.
While there are plenty of face and body lotions to choose from, it’s important to understand what makes a quality moisturizer. “People with dry skin should consider a lotion that is a little heavier and contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and dimethicone, which hydrate the skin,” says Dr. Chimento. She also notes that facial lotions should be non-comedogenic and have a lighter consistency than body lotion, because the skin there is thinner, oilier, and more sensitive.
Now that you know the basics, let’s dive into the best dermatologist-recommended moisturizers for skin that becomes dry or irritated in cold weather.
CeraVe Moisturizing CreamAugustinus Bader The Body CreamLa Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief CreamCetaphil Moisturizing LotionVanicream Moisturizing CreamEucerin Eczema Relief CreamNeutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water GelVaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair LotionFirst Aid Beauty Ultra Repair CreamAquaphor Healing OintmentCetaphil Advanced Relief LotionAveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion
