While moisturisers play a key part in any skincare regime, the holy ritual of moisturising becomes even more sacramental in the winter. This is because winters are notorious for making the skin dry and flaky; the combination of low humidity and cold temperatures results in the weakening of the skin barrier, chapped lips, and dull skin that looks patchy and dehydrated. When looking for moisturisers, it's a good idea to look for nourishing and hydrating ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and shea butter and to avoid fragrance and alcohol wherever possible. Without further ado, here are our top 10 picks for the best moisturisers for the winter season.
10 Best Moisturisers For Dewy, Hydrated, And Nourished Skin During Winters
Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion
Cetaphil moisturisers are absolute staples and are even loved by dermatologists. This moisturiser contains niacinamide, avocado oil, glycerin, and vitamin B5, which locks in long-lasting hydration (up to 48 hours) and improves moisture retention. It helps strengthen the skin barrier, and you can see the difference in your dry skin from the very first application.
User Rating: 4.5/5
User Review: Works well for all skin types, makes skin soft and hydrated, has a light consistency and gets absorbed quickly.
Clinique Moisture Surge
Clinique Moisture Surge is worth all the hype it gained on the internet. It's a very lightweight moisturiser infused with skin-loving ingredients like vitamins C and E (protects the skin), aloe bio ferment (hydrates), and hyaluronic acid (plumps the skin). It works great for all skin types, is completely oil-free, delivers lasting hydration, and comes in recyclable packaging.
User Rating: 4.5/5
User Review: Works really well for acne-prone skin, has a thick consistency, and a little goes a long way.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
After making waves globally, CeraVe is finally available in India, and we couldn't be more thrilled. This moisturising cream has three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and is infused with MVE technology responsible for a lasting hydrating effect—making it an excellent moisturiser for winters. It is also paraben-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic, which we always appreciate.
User Rating: 4.2/5
User Review: This is a great moisturiser for severely dry skin, strengthens the skin barrier, and has a thick consistency.
Pro-Tip: Check out our in-depth review of CeraVe vs Cetaphil cleanser here.
COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin All In One Cream
COSRX's Snail Mucin Essence went viral and how! Everyone was searching for it and wanted to add this product to their skincare routine to achieve glass skin. Another equally loved product from the brand is their Advanced All-in-one Cream, infused with 92% snail secretion filtrate and 1,000 ppm hyaluronic acid, which repairs damaged skin, provides long-lasting hydration, and relieves redness. It has a gel-based consistency, is extremely lightweight, and makes for a perfect everyday moisturiser. Users also like to use this one as an overnight face mask and love the results.
User Rating: 4.5/5
User Review: Works well for all skin types, repairs the skin barrier, feels slightly sticky at first but gets absorbed quickly, and gives a subtle glow.
Pro-Tip: Check our complete review of the COSRX's Snail Mucin Essence here.
Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Cream
Innisfree has been our favourite Korean skincare for as long as we can remember. This moisturiser is packed with green tea water, panthenol, ceramides, squalene, and green tea probiotics. All these ingredients improve skin vitality, strengthen the skin barrier, recharge and revitalise the skin with a surge of moisture and hydration. Plus, the presence of five different molecules of hyaluronic acid prevents water loss and plumps the skin.
User Rating: 4.5/5
User Review: The texture of the moisturiser is very creamy, lightweight, non-sticky, and keeps the skin hydrated all day. It does not feel heavy on the skin and smells great.
Pro-Tip: Check out our review of the Green Tea Seed serum here.
d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser
An Alia Bhatt vanity staple and also on every skincare enthusiast's wishlist, this moisturiser with d'you truly shines amongst the greats. It's a fast-absorbing moisturiser with unique dispersion technology that locks in 20 times more ceramides. This one prevents water loss, has anti-inflammatory benefits, and contains five different ceramides along with cholesterol and fatty acids in a ratio of 3:1:1 to replicate the skin's natural barrier. Just a small amount of product is enough to keep your skin looking plump and hydrated all day long.
User Rating: 4.4/5
User Review: It calms and soothes the skin, has a light texture, and only a pea-sized amount is required for the whole face.
Dot & Key Barrier Repair Moisturiser
Packed with five essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, probiotics, and Japanese rice water, this moisturiser from Dot & Key is definitely a keeper. It has a lightweight texture that claims to repair the skin barrier, deeply nourish the skin, and provide relief from dryness and irritation. Plus, we love that it's a fragrance and alcohol-free product!
User Rating: 4.5/5
User Review: Value for money, works well for dry to sensitive skin, doesn't feel sticky, gets absorbed quickly.
Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume
Bioderma-intensive Baume is known for its Lipigeniumâ„¢ technology, which effectively restores the skin barrier, and Skin Barrier Therapyâ„¢, which prevents the adhesion of bacteria that cause irritation on even the driest skin. All in all, this moisturiser is able to nourish, restore lipids and soothe the skin deeply with a quick-absorbing, non-oily formula!
User Rating: 4.5/5
User Review: It has a thick texture, works well for dry to combinational skin, and is best absorbed on slightly damp skin.
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre
A cult favourite that is widely used by makeup artists and skincare enthusiasts, this cream from Embryolisse is a multifunctional product; it's a good moisturiser, primer and makeup remover all in one. Carrying with it the goodness of aloe vera and shea butter, it's able to give you lasting hydration and a subtle dewy finish on application.
User Rating: 4.5/5
User Review: A little product goes a long way, suitable for oily and combination skin types in winter, thick cream yet lightweight on the skin, works excellently as a primer.
Plum 1% Oat Nourishing Winter Cream
The 1% Oat moisturiser from Plum is a total stunner. It has 1% prebiotic oat, vitamin E, and vitamin B5, with an allantion formula that restores the weakened skin barrier and nourishes the parched skin. Plus, its creamy, whipped texture quickly absorbs into the skin.
User Rating: 4.5/5
User Review: Feels premium at an affordable price, lightweight formula, lifesaver for dry skin in winters
Pro-Tip
To build the ultimate winter skincare routine, you've got to check out the best facial cleansers for winter here.