Hydrators for Winter: 5 Products That Will Keep Skin Supple, According to Experts

Silky smooth skin all winter long.

Olivia Wohlner
Olivia Wohlner
About NewBeauty

Published: Jan 1, 2024 Updated: Jan 1, 2024

Hydrators for Winter: 5 Products That Will Keep Skin Supple, According to Experts — Getty Images

With the wonders of winter, like the holiday season and a promising new year, come some pitfalls of the blustery conditions and low temperatures. Signs of skin distress can be abundant with dry, cracked, dehydrated skin. It's always important to have hydrating elements in our skin-care routine, but it helps to level up the star hydrators when we need them the most, especially if your skin type is dry and sensitive. To help rescue our winter-induced dry skin, some of our top experts share their skin-care recommendations for facial hydrators that deliver moisture and healing properties during the winter.

Expert-approved hydrator products for dehydrated skin

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"There are two that I like in particular, and that is not only because my patients almost unanimously love them and get good results from them, but I also use them myself with excellent results," says San Diego plastic surgeon Joseph Grzeskiewicz, MD.

"While there are many other products that can also be used to promote overall healthy, and thus more succulent, hydrated skin, ZO Skin Health Growth Factor Serum ($168), and ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense ($173) are basic and good for everyday use. Both of them support not only the maintenance of normal moisture content in the skin, but they also improve cellular function and blood flow to the skin. In turn, this will provide hydration and a better overall appearance from the inside."

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Hydrinity Restorative Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($120) is one of my favorite hydrating serums for the winter because it has a dual-weight hyaluronic acid that hydrates deep in the skin as well as the surface of the skin," says aesthetician Savanna Boda-Lambert. She adds that it's also a great option for those with eczema or rosacea due to its healing properties.

Boda-Lambert also loves Epicutis Lipid Serum ($250). "It has a patented molecule TSC (tetramethyl hexadecyl succinoyl cysteine) that helps reduce inflammation and deeply hydrates dry skin. It also makes your skin radiant and bouncy."

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Prospect, KY dermatologist Tami Buss Cassis, MD proclaims her adoration for the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 ($64) product. It's not only a good hydrator and sunscreen, it also boasts a tinted, blurring element. "I love the little extra tint it gives my skin," she says. "It keeps people guessing that I have turned 48."

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According to Dover, OH facial plastic surgeon David Hartman, MD, "Optimal skin hydration should start with twice daily application of a medical-grade topical vitamin A cream such as Environ AVST Moisturizer 1 ($74). A good topical retinol (skin active form of vitamin A) should also be part of your twice-daily skincare regimen to help keep skin looking young."

He adds that the Environ Hydrating Oil Capsules ($99) are an "absolute favorite to treat winter dry skin and to give silky smooth skin. We recommend these oil capsules be applied in the evening only if you are a person who wears makeup—the oil in the capsules make subsequent attempts to apply makeup rather difficult." Dr Hartman says "Another excellent nighttime moisturizing treatment is the Environ Alpha Hydroxy Night Cream ($68)."

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Hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient comes up here again/ "For the face, my go-to product is SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator ($124)," says Rochester, NY dermatologist Lesley Loss, MD. "It is very hydrating immediately after applying!"