The clocks have gone back, the heating is on, and the moisturiser that did the job in September suddenly isn't quite enough. If your skin feels tight by mid-afternoon or looks dull, a richer formula is usually the place to start. The trick is knowing which kind.
Here is the short answer. For dry skin in winter, move to a richer cream for the day, add a night cream, and keep a gel-cream or a balm for the days your skin still feels tight. Below, a quick guide, then the reasoning.
Which moisturiser for dry skin in winter? A quick guide
| If your skin… | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Feels very dry and tight all day | L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream | A rich, shea butter cream for dry to very dry skin that the brand says still feels non-greasy |
| Is dry, and you want daytime SPF in the same step | Estée Lauder DayWear 24H Moisture Creme SPF15 (Dry Skin) | Rich yet airy, with broad-spectrum SPF15 (see our SPF note below) |
| Is dry or more mature and wants comfort | Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra-Rich | An ultra-rich version of a familiar Elemis cream |
| Is dry to dry-combination and finds creams heavy | Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ | A lotion rather than a cream, in a generous 125ml |
| Feels dehydrated, or shiny in the T-zone | Clinique Moisture Surge 100H | An oil-free gel-cream with hyaluronic acid |
| Wakes up tight | Elizabeth Arden Good Night's Sleep Restoring Cream | A night cream with shea butter and hyaluronic acid |
| Is dry in patches (nose, cheeks, hands) | Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Skin Protectant Cream | A balm-like, multi-purpose cream for targeted dryness |
| Prefers a light, non-greasy finish | ClarinsMen Super Moisture Balm | A lightweight balm made for men's skin, used after shaving or cleansing |
| Deserves a treat | Guerlain Abeille Royale Honey Treatment Day Cream | A luxurious day cream with honey and ceramide NG |
Ready to browse? Explore moisturisers at allbeauty →
Is your skin dry or dehydrated?
The two get mixed up, and the difference changes what you buy. Dry skin is a skin type: it produces less oil, so it tends to feel rough or tight, and flaky patches are common. Dehydrated skin is a temporary state that can affect any skin type, including oily skin: it lacks water, so it can feel tight and look dull even while the T-zone is shiny.
A rough guide: if your skin is dry in every season, you probably want a richer cream with oils and butters. If it only feels tight and dull in winter, or oily and tight at once, a hydrating gel-cream layered under a lighter cream may suit better. Many people have a bit of both. If you're unsure, a pharmacist or a skincare consultant can help you work it out.
Cream, gel-cream, lotion or balm: what's the difference?
- Cream: thicker and more cushioning, the usual winter swap for dry skin.
- Gel-cream: lighter and bouncier. It can suit combination skin, or sit under a cream on days when your skin needs extra.
- Lotion: thinner and easier to spread, a good option if a cream feels heavy.
- Balm: the richest and most protective, often used on drier patches.
None of these is "better". The right one depends on how your skin feels at 3pm, not on the label.
What to look for on the label
Four ingredients turn up again and again in moisturisers for dry skin. This is general skincare guidance, so treat it as a way to read a label rather than a promise of results.
- Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate): a humectant, meaning it attracts water to the skin. It appears on the pages for Clinique Moisture Surge 100H, Estée Lauder DayWear, Elizabeth Arden Good Night's Sleep, Guerlain Abeille Royale and Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion+.
- Glycerin: another humectant, found in many everyday moisturisers. It's listed for L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich, Elemis Ultra-Rich and Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion+.
- Shea butter: an emollient, which means it helps soften and smooth the skin. You'll find it in L'Occitane's cream and Elizabeth Arden Good Night's Sleep.
- Ceramides: fats that occur naturally in the skin's outer layer, and a common ingredient in barrier-focused moisturisers. Guerlain Abeille Royale lists ceramide NG.
A richer cream usually combines humectants with emollients, and balms add an occlusive layer on top that helps keep moisture in.
The rich creams: for skin that feels dry or tight
BEST FOR VERY DRY SKIN
L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream 50ml Rich • 25% shea butter • Non-greasy finish See today's price at allbeauty →
If tightness is your main complaint, start here. L'Occitane describes it as a deeply comforting daily moisturiser for dry to very dry, even sensitive, skin, with a texture that still feels non-greasy.
BEST FOR DAYTIME
Estée Lauder DayWear Multi-Protection 24H Moisture Creme SPF15, Dry Skin 50ml Rich yet airy • SPF15 • Vitamin C and E See today's price at allbeauty →
One step in the morning instead of two. The page lists hyaluronic acid and squalane alongside antioxidant vitamins, and describes broad-spectrum SPF15 protection.
A note on SPF. The NHS advises using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF30 with at least a 4-star UVA rating, and notes that most people don't apply enough. A moisturiser with SPF15 is a useful extra layer, but it isn't a replacement for a dedicated sunscreen, and the Estée Lauder page itself suggests extra protection for prolonged sun exposure. UV is lower in winter, but it doesn't disappear, so on bright days or outdoor days, add a separate SPF30 or higher as the final step.
BEST FOR COMFORT
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra-Rich 50ml Rich • Dry or more mature skin • Marine actives See today's price at allbeauty →
A richer take on a familiar Elemis cream. Elemis positions it for skin that craves extra comfort, dry or more mature skin in particular. Follow with a separate SPF during the day.
BEST LOTION FOR DRY SKIN
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ 125ml Lotion • Very dry to dry combination • Dermatologist-developed See today's price at allbeauty →
If a cream feels heavy on your face, a lotion may be the answer. This is formulated for very dry to dry combination skin and comes in a generous 125ml, so it's easy to use morning and night.
A gel-cream for dehydrated skin
BEST FOR LIGHTWEIGHT HYDRATION
Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator 75ml Oil-free • Gel-cream • Hyaluronic acid and aloe See today's price at allbeauty →
The one to reach for if your skin feels tight but shiny. Clinique describes it as suitable for all skin types including sensitive, and as fragrance free, alcohol free and dermatologist tested. The page also suggests leaving a thicker layer on for five minutes as a mask. On cold days, layer a richer cream over the top.
Do you need a night cream as well?
One moisturiser isn't always enough in winter. A richer cream overnight is a simple way to give dry skin a second dose without making your morning routine feel heavy.
BEST FOR NIGHT
Elizabeth Arden Good Night's Sleep Restoring Cream 50ml Night-time • Shea butter • Evening primrose oil See today's price at allbeauty →
Described on the page as a botanical moisturiser for dry skin, with sodium hyaluronate and aloe alongside the shea butter. Apply as the last step of your evening routine.
A balm for the places that still feel dry
BEST FOR DRY PATCHES
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Skin Protectant Cream 50ml Balm-like • Occlusive • Face and body See today's price at allbeauty →
Less an everyday moisturiser, more a rescue balm. The page describes a rich, occlusive texture that helps lock in moisture, and it's meant for face and body: dry patches, hands, cuticles, elbows and heels. It lists lanolin and fragrance, so check the ingredients if either doesn't suit you.
Lightweight, non-greasy hydration (and a pick for men)
Plenty of men prefer a lighter finish that works after shaving, and plenty of women do too.
BEST FOR LIGHTWEIGHT, NON-GREASY HYDRATION
ClarinsMen Super Moisture Balm 50ml Lightweight • Non-greasy • After shaving See today's price at allbeauty →
Clarins describes it as a hardworking daily moisturiser for men's skin, with a lightweight balm texture that feels comfortable and non-greasy, suitable after shaving or cleansing. The ingredient list includes fragrance. Any of the other creams here work for men too: choose by texture and how your skin feels.
If you want to treat yourself
BEST FOR A TREAT
Guerlain Abeille Royale Honey Treatment Day Cream 50ml Rich yet refined • Honey • Ceramide NG See today's price at allbeauty →
A luxury day cream with a comforting, cocooning texture, according to the page, and suitable for all skin types including sensitive. It's designed as the last step of a morning routine after serum, and lists royal jelly, honey, hyaluronic acid, ceramide NG and squalane. Worth a look at today's price.
How to layer moisturiser in winter
- Cleanse gently. A cleanser that leaves skin tight undoes the rest. If you double cleanse, see our double cleanse guide →
- Serum first, if you use one. [Discover hydrating serums → https://allbeauty.com/collections/skincare-serums-oils]
- Moisturiser next. Warm a small amount between your fingertips and press it in rather than rubbing hard.
- Daytime SPF. Unless your moisturiser has SPF30 or higher, finish with a separate SPF. Apply generously.
- At night: a night cream as the last step.
For more seasonal skincare ideas, see 7 Ways to Autumn-Proof Your Skin →
When to switch back, and when to ask for advice
Once the heating goes off and the weather warms in spring, you can move back to a lighter formula, but there's no need to rush. If your skin still feels tight, red, sore or itchy despite regular moisturising, speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than layering on more products.
Your Winter Skin, Sorted.
Whether you're after a rich overnight treatment or an everyday moisturiser for the colder months, your winter skincare upgrade starts here. Browse the brands you know, see today's price, and build your routine.
Discover moisturisers at allbeauty →
4. FAQS
What is the best moisturiser for dry skin in winter? There isn't one best product. A rich cream suits very dry or tight skin, a gel-cream suits skin that's dehydrated but shiny, and a night cream gives dry skin a second dose. Choose by how your skin feels, not by brand.
What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin? Dry skin is a skin type that produces less oil. Dehydrated skin lacks water and can affect any skin type, even oily. Both can feel tight.
Should I use a different moisturiser in winter? Many people find a richer moisturiser helps when it's cold outside and the heating is on, but it isn't essential. If your current formula keeps your skin comfortable, you don't need to change it.
Do I need a night cream as well as a day moisturiser? Not strictly, but a richer cream overnight is a simple way to add moisture without making your morning routine feel heavy.
Can oily or combination skin use a rich winter cream? It can, but you may prefer a gel-cream such as Clinique Moisture Surge 100H, or a rich cream on drier areas only.
Can men use the same moisturisers as women? Yes. Moisturisers work on skin, not gender. Some people prefer a lightweight, non-greasy finish, which is how Clarins describes ClarinsMen Super Moisture Balm.
Should I still wear SPF in winter? UV is present year-round in the UK, though lower in winter. The NHS advises a broad-spectrum SPF30 or higher with at least a 4-star UVA rating, applied generously. An SPF15 moisturiser alone doesn't meet that guidance.
What should I do if my dry skin doesn't improve? If skin is sore, red, itchy or cracked despite regular moisturising, speak to a pharmacist or GP.
