Cold weather often brings tight, dry, flaky, itchy and highly-irritated skin that has us racing to find products that can help — and fast. But in the quest for hydration, spending a small fortune on lotions and potions we may no longer need come spring feels exorbitant. Lucky for us, high-quality, moisture-locking, dermatologist-approved solutions exist — and they start at only $6.
“Cooler temperatures, lower humidity and increased exposure to indoor heating can all lead to skin dryness and irritation,” Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New Jersey, explained to me when I interviewed her earlier this fall. “During these months, the skin often requires extra hydration, protection and nourishment to maintain its moisture barrier.”
How to keep skin hydrated on a budget
“In addition to layering hydrating serums with heavier creams, using a humidifier at home can be a helpful way to maintain moisture in the air and keep your skin hydrated during the winter months,” Garshick explained. “It’s also important to take short showers, once daily, using lukewarm water and a gentle hydrating cleanser to prevent the skin from drying out.”
Garshick recommends using thick, rich moisturizing formulas in the winter that will not only sink into skin but provide a protective barrier from the elements when you’re outside.
To meet Garshick’s product mandate while keeping costs down, I sifted through hundreds of online reviews and asked more dermatologists for advice on choosing quality, hydrating creams — on a budget. I also got them to share their picks for the best face and body moisturizers to maintain a dewy and flake-free dermis until winter’s end. Scroll for eight affordable pro-approved picks.
Vanicream
“This moisturizing cream is a great option for those with dry or sensitive skin as it is free of dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens and more, reducing the potential for irritation or sensitivity,” says Garshick. “It helps to soothe and hydrate without leaving the skin feeling greasy. It’s also non-comedogenic and can be used on the face or body.”
Vaseline
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi likes this classic beauty staple “to repair and protect the skin barrier” in the winter months. It’s best used during the day to shield skin from harsh conditions and then again before bed to seal in moisture.
Grace & Stella
Indoor heat and winter winds cause serious skin dryness. Enter: the humectant hyaluronic acid, which binds to water and can hold a whopping 1,000 times its weight in H20. It’s a secret weapon for locking in moisture during cold weather.
This version, from beloved beauty brand Grace & Stella, has thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon and you truly cannot beat the price.
e.l.f.
This top-rated pick is beloved by thousands and here’s why: I’ve rarely seen a product with its mix of potent, high-quality skin-nourishing ingredients (like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and peptides) at this price.
“This moisturizer is so good, much better than many expensive products (I’ve tried a lot),” raves one 5-star reviewer. “It’s so hydrating and non-comedogenic. It feels refreshing and lightweight after you apply and I noticed that it gave me glowing and baby soft skin. I think this is the best moisturizer that I have ever tried. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to incorporate hydration into their skin care routine.”
Amazon
“It hydrates for 48 hours,” says Dr. Kiran Mian, a dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York City. “It’s formulated with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, niacinamide and panthenol that work to improve the resilience of sensitive skin.”
In fact, Cetaphil’s affordable cream is made with the brand’s HydroSensitiv Complex, a combination of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin B5, and vitamin E — a solid checklist of nourishing ingredients you want in a cold-weather moisturizer. There’s also blue daisy extract — this pretty, flower-bearing plant has antioxidant benefits that can help with redness and discomfort, from say, a wind burn.
Amazon
Yet another affordable and versatile face and body lotion that experts love is this tried-and-true gem from CeraVe. “It contains effective moisturizers like hyaluronic acid and ceramides that trap in moisture and prevent evaporation over the skin barrier,” says Dr. Angela Lamb, a dermatologist and director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Practice in New York City. And don’t be afraid to slather it on: the ample, 20-ounce tub will last you through the season — and beyond.
Amazon
I love this thick, luxurious lotion so much, I buy it in bulk.
While it’s not exactly meant as a face cream, it’s used for that purpose by most every seasoned beauty expert I know. It’s extremely hydrating, packed with nourishing plant-derived ingredients and is especially good as a nighttime treatment for faces, hands, feet, necks and even the décolleté. Truly one of the top products around, especially at this price.
Aquaphor
If you have severely chapped lips, don’t waste your money on pricey, trendy masks for your pucker. For just a few bucks, this dermatologist-recommended savior is clinically proven to relieve dryness and soothe cracks. Bonus: It’s also a sunscreen that protects with broad-spectrum SPF 30.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.