Best Moisturizers for Dry Winter Skin 2025: Expert-Approved Relief

Lightweight yet comforting, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream stood out in our testing for its fast-absorbing gel-cream feel that layers beautifully under sunscreen and makeup. With 4.5% squalane and pro-ceramides, the fragrance-free formula suits sensitive and eczema-prone skin and earned a 7/10. Our experience shows it may not be occlusive enough for the very driest winter days and can leave a slightly sticky film for some. Pair it with a balm on top at night if you need extra protection.

Makeup artists swear by Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre, and we get the appeal: the rich, nourishing cream doubles as a dewy makeup primer and emergency dry-patch smoother in winter. During our review, we loved the cushiony feel, but the added fragrance and heavier, emollient finish kept it to a 6/10 for this guide. Some users report breakouts or irritation, so acne-prone or sensitive skin might prefer fragrance-free alternatives like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (7/10) for daily wear.

When winter itch and atopic flares strike, Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm is a heavy-hitting, unfragranced balm recognized by the National Eczema Association. In our testing, it soothed very dry, irritated skin and its ceramide-rich formula earned a solid 8/10. The trade-off is an occlusive feel that can clog pores if overused on the face, and a few users report reactions—so patch testing is smart. The large pump is convenient at home but bulky; for daily face use, CeraVe (8.5/10) felt lighter.

For reliable, wallet-friendly relief, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream scored 8.5/10 and became a go-to in our testing. The fragrance-free formula packs three essential ceramides plus hyaluronic acid, and the hygienic pump makes daily use easier than dipping into a jar. It is thick and contains petrolatum, so expect a more occlusive feel and slower absorption; the large pump can be bulky. If you’re managing eczema or stubborn winter roughness, this delivered results close to premium picks at a fraction of the price.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream earned an 8.5/10 for its soothing, heavy-hitting hydration during our winter trials. The fragrance-free base includes colloidal oatmeal and ceramides to calm flare-ups and reinforce the barrier, and we love that it works for both face and body. Downsides: jar packaging isn’t ideal, and the eucalyptus oil can tingle or irritate the very sensitive. If your skin is parched, this remains a dependable rescue cream—just layer SPF by day and patch-test if reactive.

Lightweight and spa-cool on application, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel feels refreshing and hydrates quickly with fragrance-free hyaluronic acid. However, in our testing it pilled under makeup and didn’t keep very dry winter skin comfortable for long, leading to a 4.5/10—our lowest score in this guide. Some users also noticed breakouts or irritation, so sensitive, acne-prone skin should proceed carefully. It’s a nice warm-weather layer or midday top-up, but not our pick for harsh, radiator-dry months.

Clinique Moisture Surge 100H is a featherweight gel that quenched our skin fast without greasiness, thanks to fragrance-free hyaluronic acid. In our testing, the hydration lasted through the workday, but on frigid nights it felt too light solo, which nudged its score to a 6/10. Many will love the smooth, makeup-friendly finish, yet very dry types may still need a richer cream layered on top. The smaller sizes are handy to try, though frequent users will burn through them quickly.

Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream impressed us in winter testing, pairing ceramides with hyaluronic acid for cushiony, lasting moisture. The fragrance-free formula felt soothing on chapped patches and strengthened our barrier over a week, which explains its solid 8/10. A heads-up for acne-prone friends: a few testers reported breakouts, so spot-test if you’re reactive. If you want richer, barrier-first hydration without heaviness, this cream sits comfortably between drugstore standbys and premium options at a reasonable mid-tier price.

Our top-rated choice at 10/10, Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream impressed us with deep, lasting hydration and real barrier support. In our testing, the fragrance-free formula’s blend of ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid noticeably softened flakes and reduced tightness within days. It can feel heavy on oily skin and the price is premium, so a little goes a long way. If you need serious winter relief, this outperformed most picks, but budget-friendly CeraVe (8.5/10) is a smart alternative. A minority of users report mild redness, so patch test if sensitive.

Sensitive-skin favorite Vanicream offers straightforward, fragrance-free moisture that just works when heaters kick on. The thick cream gives long-lasting comfort and, in our experience, the big 1 lb pump is excellent value for families or face-and-body use, earning a solid 7/10. It can read greasy on some skin types and the bulky tub isn’t travel-friendly, plus it contains BHT if you’re avoiding that. Pair it with lighter daytime layers or reserve it for night and elbows-to-heels emergencies.

For very dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin, Avène XeraCalm A.D was a standout in our review, earning a high 9/10. The fragrance-free, rich cream cushions rough patches with Cer-Omega lipids and ceramides, restoring comfort and reinforcing the barrier without stinging. Our testers loved the long-lasting hydration, though the airtight pump can be finicky to open, and mineral oil may be a dealbreaker for purists. If you need gentle, intensive winter relief, this rivals pricier derm picks at a fair mid-premium price.

An easy, affordable winter staple, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair offers fragrance-free, ceramide-infused hydration in a lightweight cream that absorbs quickly. In our review, it felt comfortable for everyday use and sensitive skin, earning a 7/10. That said, some users report irritation or breakouts and it may lack the richness severely dry or atopic-prone skin needs in deep winter, with a slightly greasy finish for a few. Layer it under a thicker balm or choose CeraVe (8.5/10) for extra oomph.

Think of Olay Regenerist Fragrance-Free Micro-Sculpting Cream as a dependable day cream when you want visible plumping without scent. We found the lightweight texture and sodium hyaluronate delivered quick hydration and a healthy glow under makeup. Some users report irritation or a burning sensation, so very sensitive skin may prefer gentler picks. At 6.5/10, it’s a solid mid-pack option at a fair price, though higher-rated hydrators like Kiehl’s (7/10) or CeraVe (8.5/10) felt more universally comfortable.

On a tight budget, we found Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion delivers dependable, long-lasting moisture without a heavy feel. During our review, the lotion texture absorbed quickly and kept flakiness at bay, earning a practical 6.5/10 for basic winter relief. That said, the scented formula and big-pump packaging can be a mismatch for very sensitive skin or anyone prone to over-dispensing. If you don’t need ceramides or hyaluronic acid and want fast-absorbing body hydration, the travel-size price is hard to beat.

Our top-rated choice at 9.5/10, La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Cream brought serious relief in bitter weather. The fragrance-free formula blends ceramide-3, niacinamide, and shea butter for face-and-body barrier repair, and in our testing the hydration truly lingered—living up to its 48-hour claim. It’s rich and can feel heavy, and a few acne-prone testers noted breakouts or stinging on broken skin. For deep, dependable moisture at an excellent $11.49 price, it’s the winter MVP in this guide.

Looking for sturdy, lasting moisture without fragrance? Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream delivered all-day hydration in our testing, using ceramides to support the skin barrier on very dry arms, legs, and hands. The trade-off is a heavier, sometimes greasy feel and a jar that can be messy and less hygienic than a pump. Scoring 6.5/10, it’s a dependable budget workhorse, but for a sleeker user experience, higher-rated pump options like CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (8.5/10) may win out.

At just $6.50, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan shines as a budget layer for combo or mildly dry skin, but it’s our weakest fit here with a 4.5/10. During our review, the lightweight gel absorbed fast and the ceramides plus beta-glucan offered nice barrier support, yet it lacked lasting occlusion for winter dryness and felt slightly sticky at first. Our tip: use it as a hydrating base, then seal with a richer cream like CeraVe (8.5/10).

This fragrance-free, ceramide-rich night cream from CeraVe consistently left our skin cushy and calm by morning, earning a 7.5/10 for reliable overnight repair. The cream texture includes hyaluronic acid for extra water-binding and plays well over actives when skin runs dry. We did note jar packaging isn’t the most hygienic, and a few testers reported breakouts or irritation. If you want a steady, barrier-supporting workhorse under $25, this is a smart bet—just pair a separate SPF during the day.

When winter roughness turns into true irritation, we reach for Cicaplast Baume B5. In our testing, the fragrance-free balm calmed chapped noses, windburn, and cuticles thanks to panthenol and madecassoside. The thick, occlusive texture is fantastic for spot-treating very dry patches, but can feel heavy or greasy on the face and may leave a white film if overapplied. At 7.5/10, it’s a reliable rescue product, though not as versatile for daytime wear as higher-scoring creams; think overnight slugging or post-procedure TLC over daily makeup.

For a lightweight-but-thorough night step, EltaMD PM Restore delivered balanced hydration without heaviness in our testing. The fragrance-free cream features ceramide-like components plus sodium hyaluronate to support the barrier and draw water in, meriting a 7.5/10. A couple of caveats: some users experience pilling when layered over certain serums and occasional irritation on reactive skin. It’s a refined, comfortable formula for normal to dry types, but the $48 price pushes it against strong, cheaper ceramide competitors.