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With the colder months rolling in, it’s not just your jumpers and coats that need a little rethinking — your skincare routine does too. And no one’s asking you to overhaul your whole skincare lineup. But the moment the air turns crisp, your skin usually lets you know — maybe it feels a bit tight around the cheeks, looks a little flat, or just seems like it wants something extra. That’s when a few well-chosen hydrating products actually start to matter.
This is also the time when dryness creeps in faster than usual. The cold air outside and the heating inside basically team up and pull moisture straight from your skin, leaving it feeling more temperamental and reactive than it was a few weeks ago.
Think of this less as a crisis and more as a quick seasonal tune-up — small shifts that help your skin stay comfortable as the weather changes. We pulled together the hydrating staples dermatologists say can help your skin hold onto moisture, stay calm, and feel a whole lot better as things cool down…
Best Hydrating Facial Moisturisers for Dry Skin
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Hydrating Skincare Products for Dry Skin
“Love this moisturiser, it makes my skin feel so hydrated and soft. I initially purchased to use after microneedling appts. But it has quickly become an everyday staple in my skincare routine.” – Jody
- Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid
- Product Benefits: Helps Replenish Dry, Dull Skin
- Skin Type: All, Dry
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“This moisturiser is perfect. It’s light and unscented and leaves my face so soft and glowing. The price is great too. I love the design and how a few pumps can smooth and hydrate my dry face after cleansing. The hydration lasts a long time. Highly recommend to anyone”.– S Simmons
- Active Ingredients: Aloe, jojoba oil & shea butter
- Product Benefits: Helps soothe the skin, boost hydration, soften texture, and support a more even tone
- Skin Types: Perfect for all skin types.
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Hydrating Skincare Products for Dry Skin
“This moisturiser truly lives up to its name. The texture is amazing—lightweight, yet rich and creamy at the same time. It absorbs quickly and provides my skin with a much-needed boost of hydration, leaving it feeling incredibly soft and with a beautiful, dewy glow. It’s a “slam dunk” for my sensitive skin, as I haven’t experienced any irritation. The unique pump is a fun bonus, and a little goes a long way, making it a fantastic value.”– Neelam
- Active Ingredients: Vitamin E, avocado oil
- Product Benefits: Supports skin cell health, nourishes the complexion, and helps reduce the look of redness.
- Skin Types: Normal to dry skin
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“Best moisturiser I have found to use, helps my skin so much in the winter now from going dry. It’s quite a thick moisturiser.” – Lana
- Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid
- Product Benefits: This cream delivers effective, long-lasting hydration and helps improve the look of skin elasticity.
- Skin Types: Extra dry skin
Top Barrier-Boosting Lotions for Dry Skin
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“I love this moisturiser! This moisturiser is rich and provides really good hydration that has helped strengthen my skin barrier. I apply it over redness or other skin irritations at night after washing my face, and I wake up with radiant, healed skin! I really like that even though it is a rich moisturiser, it doesn’t feel greasy or heavy on the skin and dries down fairly quickly. Will definitely be using this during the upcoming winter months and beyond!” – CJ
- Active Ingredients: Ceramide, Panthenol
- Product Benefits: Supports the moisture barrier and helps soothe redness linked to dryness
- Skin Types: Sensitive skin, normal Skin
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“I absolutely loved this product! It has a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly and works beautifully even on sensitive skin. If you struggle with dryness or irritation, this is definitely worth trying. It’s also a great choice for repairing and supporting a compromised skin barrier”. -Shaily
- Active Ingredients: Ceramide, squalane
- Product Benefits: Helps restore and support a weakened moisture barrier
- Skin Types: Works for all skin types — especially dehydrated, combination, and dry acne-prone skin.
Dermatologist-Approved Moisturisers for Dry, Sensitive Skin
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Hydrating Skincare Products for Dry Skin
“Love this product. In the winter, I get dry, flaky skin on my face. Decided to try this as nothing else I’ve tried has really helped much. It is a thick gel consistency, super moisturising, and does not leave an unpleasant residue. Does not smell and is gentle on my sensitive skin. Since I started using this product about 2-3 weeks ago, I have noticed a significant improvement – the dry/flaky areas on my face are almost completely gone! The container is pretty small, but you only need to use a small amount. I would highly recommend this product to anyone with dry, sensitive skin”. -Megan
- Active Ingredients: Prebiotic Oat & Feverfew
- Product Benefits: Soothes and helps restore the moisture barrier
- Skin Types: Sensitive and eczema-prone skin






