While most of us look forward to (and welcome!) the wardrobe change from summer to fall, cooler temperatures often leave our complexions feeling a bit unsightly. Dry and dehydrated skin can happen in any season, but it’s most common in fall and winter, when you’re better off choosing the best skincare products for dry skin. “Bumpy, cracked, and rough skin to the touch can all be signs of dry skin,” explains Ksenia Kobets, MD, board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in Westchester, New York. You may also notice chapped lips, dark circles under the eyes, or even pimples.
Yes, dry skin craves moisture, but simply applying moisturizer is usually not enough to solve the problem. “During dry months and dry climates, it’s important to focus on protecting the skin barrier to help moisturize the skin and prevent moisture loss,” says Nazanin Saedi, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Think of your skin barrier as the barrier that covers your skin from your scalp to your feet, preventing moisture from leaving your skin and external irritants from entering.
Askume’s guide to the best skin care products for dry skin:
Best Face Moisturizer: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore, $155
Best Ointment: Aquaphor Healing Ointment, $19 for 20
Best Hyaluronic Acid: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Boosting Serum, $125
Best Cleanser: Cerave Moisturizing Cleanser, $18, $15
Best Toner: Paula’s Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner, $29 $28
Best Serum: Ilia The Base Facial Cream, $58
Best Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40, $41
Best Korean Formula: Astura Ato Base Cream, $32
Best Vitamin C: La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum, $45
Best Mask: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, $32
Ironically, perhaps, many of the ingredients we use in the name of improving our skin can actually damage the skin layer. According to Dr. Tracy Evans, MD, MPH, dermatologist and medical director of the Pacific Board of Dermatology and Cosmetic Dermatology in San Francisco, alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids can all cause dryness. However, these powerful actives can still be part of your skincare routine if you want—as long as they’re used in moderation and sandwiched in a nourishing buffer. Here, with the help of our experts, we share the best products for dry skin to keep your complexion soft, even, and glowing, no matter what life throws at you.
in this article
What causes dry skin?
What is the best skin care routine for dry skin?
What do dermatologists recommend for dry skin?
What ingredients can treat and prevent dry skin?
Meet the experts
Best Face Moisturizer: Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore
Why we love it: This powerfully nourishing product has a rich, indulgent texture and a blend of ingredients (ceramides, cholesterol, and various forms of fatty acids) that are known to strengthen the skin barrier. Just one dab leaves skin soft and smooth; we especially love using this formula before bed to prevent moisture loss while you sleep. Learn more about ceramide-rich formulas.
Key Ingredients: Ceramide, Cholesterol, Fatty Acids
Size: 1.6 ounces
Best Ointment: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Why we love it: If you’re a fan of the slamming technique, consider doing so with this drugstore classic. In addition to petroleum jelly, which acts as a moisturizing force field on the skin, it contains hydrating glycerin and hydrating lanolin to provide a comprehensive and cost-effective solution to dry skin. (It’s also a great multi-tasker—try it on chapped lips, rough cuticles, and even flyaway lips.)
Key Ingredients: Vaseline, Glycerin, Lanolin
Size: 14 ounces.
Best Hyaluronic Acid: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Boosting Serum
Why we like it: This serum uses different forms of hyaluronic acid to help hydrate skin, smooth fine lines, and boost the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid production for even, long-lasting hydration. It also contains ceramides and niacinamide, which strengthen the skin barrier to keep your complexion glowing and smooth.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Ceramide
Size: 1 ounce.
Best Cleanser: Cerave Moisturizing Cleanser
Why we like it: Both Sadie and Cobbetts recommend this cleanser for people with dry skin because its formula is very gentle and doesn’t dry out skin like other cleansers. Instead, it replenishes moisture with humectants and ceramides, breaking down impurities and leaving skin clean, fresh and soft (not tight or dehydrated).
Key Ingredients: Ceramide, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid
Size: 16 ounces.
Best Toner: Paula’s Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Why we love it: This creamy toner deeply moisturizes skin without stripping it, smooths rough texture and rejuvenates dull skin tone for brighter, more even skin. In addition to a lipid-rich blend of botanical oils, the hydrating formula contains antioxidants like ferulic acid and licorice root extract, which not only protect skin from free radicals but also help soothe irritation and redness.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Evening Primrose Oil
Size: 4 ounces.
Best Serum: Ilia The Base Facial Cream
Why we love it: For added hydration, consider adding this serum to your routine It acts like a hydrating primer before your favorite plumping cream: Hyaluronic acid in its many forms draws moisture into the skin, while lipids and fatty acids lock in moisture and hydrate. We love using this as a two-in-one hydrating serum and moisturizer before working out because it leaves our skin feeling relaxed but not suffocating — perfect for sweaty situations.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, Argan Oil, Hyaluronic Acid
Size: 3.4 ounces
Best Sunscreen Lotion: EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40
Why we like it: Sadie is a big fan of the EltaMD line of sunscreens and especially likes the product’s hydrating formula, which blends into the skin to retain moisture and protect it from sun damage. She adds, “There’s also a tinted version that provides enough coverage to help you skip foundation during the summer.”
Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid
Size: 1.7 ounces
Best Korean Formula: Astura Ato Cream
Why we love it: “If your skin is dry and prone to redness and irritation, this is a great moisturizer,” says Saedi. That’s because this Korean brand’s formula repairs the barrier, helping to prevent moisture loss and irritating ingredients from penetrating the skin. It does this by using a blend of lipids, including encapsulated ceramides, which help lock in moisture for up to 120 hours after just one application. If you use retinoids in your daily routine, consider using this formula as the “bread” of your “retinoid sandwich,” creating a nourishing buffer between your skin and the powerful actives.
Key Ingredients: Ceramide, Cholesterol, Squalane
Size: 2.7 ounces
Best Vitamin C: La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum
Why we like it: Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful tools in the fight against hyperpigmentation and sun damage, but not all formulas are suitable for those with dry skin—the ingredient can be irritating for some skin tones. Kobets likes this serum from La Roche-Posay because in addition to 10% vitamin C, it contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and thermal spring water that help restore the skin’s microbiome. “I love that it’s readily available in pharmacies,” she said. If your skin is dry and also sensitive, remember that the formula also contains salicylic acid; Kobets recommends slowly incorporating this vitamin C serum into your routine to build up tolerance.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid, Neurosin
Size: 1 ounce.
Best Facial Mask: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
Why we love it: This signature formula moisturizes skin while you sleep, with a smooth, refreshing texture that’s enriched with nourishing squalane, probiotic extracts, and niacinamide to help restore the skin barrier and boost radiance. We also love the delicate, clean floral scent, but those with skin sensitive to added fragrances should consider patch testing before applying to their entire face.
Key Ingredients: Probiotic Extracts, Squalane, Nicotinamide
Size: 2.3 oz
Ultimately, dry skin is a sign that your skin needs support. “Changes in the lipid barrier can lead to long-term dryness in the skin,” explains Evans. There are many factors that can cause dry skin, especially when temperatures drop. “For many of us, cold, dry air strips moisture from the skin, which is why dry skin is more common in the winter, and hot showers and heaters don’t help,” explains Saadi. External irritants and allergens, such as fragrances and preservatives in skin and personal care products, as well as excessive use of exfoliants, can also cause dry skin, says Kobetz. Finally, your immune system plays a role, too—the dry skin triggers mentioned above can activate your body’s inflammatory response, leading to eczema.
You need to provide your skin with moisture and nutrients at every step of your daily care routine. “Stop using harsh soaps that contain detergents and damage your skin barrier, and start using hydrating cleansers,” says Kobetz. After washing your face, apply a hydrating serum, which helps draw moisture into the skin, followed by a nourishing cream. Our experts recommend using a hydrating formula with ceramides immediately after to help retain moisture. “Ceramides strengthen the bond between cells on the skin’s surface and prevent moisture loss,” explains Saedi. You’ll also want to limit your use of products that can cause dryness, such as peeling acids and retinoids.
If you have dry, flaky skin, don’t take it as a sign to double down on your exfoliation. “Resist the urge to scrub away at the dryness,” Saedi warns. Taking good care of your skin will help limit the redness and irritation often associated with dry skin, especially during the dry months. The key is to cleanse with warm water, not hot water, Evans says. Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, making your skin more susceptible to dryness, especially if you’re using harsh cleansers. You can also keep a bottle of face mist in your bag: “When your skin is feeling flaky or extra dry, a hydrating mist or spring mist can help your skin replenish moisture as needed throughout the day,” Saedi suggests.
There are three main ingredient categories to look for when shopping for dry skin products. The first is moisturizers. “These are moisturizing ingredients that retain and provide moisture,” explains Kobets, citing hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin as examples. Then there are emollients, like ceramides, squalane, and shea butter, which prevent moisture from escaping the skin. Finally, there are sealers, like dimethicone and petroleum jelly. “These ingredients can be added topically to help retain moisture in dry skin, especially for those with mature skin,” she adds.
Ksenia Kohets, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in Westchester, NY.
Dr. Nazanin Saedi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Tracy Evans, MD, MPH, is a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director of Pacific Dermatology and Cosmetic Dermatology in San Francisco.
