Beauty These 12 Ultra-Hydrating Lotions Will Soothe Your Dry Skin This Fall and Winter Use these nourishing products when the temperatures start to drop. By Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano is the staff writer for MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home and pets. She has five years of writing and editing experience in the digital publishing industry. Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 24, 2022 03:46PM EDT Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Hiraman / Getty Images As brisk weather rolls in, so too does everyone's worst enemy: dry skin. The cooler temperatures can leave your face and body feeling raw, cracked, and inflamed, but the right lotion can help stave off this uncomfortable inconvenience entirely. You simply need to prepare your skin for the harsher weather, explains Stacy Chimento, a board-certified dermatologist at Miami's Riverchase Dermatology. "During colder months, your skin is more susceptible to becoming dry and dull-looking due to the dehydrating effects of the winter," says Dr. Chimento. "When it gets cold, our pores tend to shrink, which causes heat to accumulate, resulting in oily skin. It can also become prone to acne breakouts, rashes, and infections." There are a few ways dermatologists recommend combatting dry skin—shower with lukewarm water, avoid scrubbing, or invest in a humidifier. But perhaps the most effective way to prevent this issue is to moisturize your face and body regularly. While there are plenty of face and body lotions to choose from, it's important to understand what makes a quality moisturizer. "People with dry skin should consider a lotion that is a little heavier and contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and dimethicone, which hydrate the skin," says Dr. Chimento. She also notes that facial lotions should be non-comedogenic and have a lighter consistency than body lotion, because the skin there is thinner, oilier, and more sensitive. Now that you know the basics, let's dive into the best dermatologist-recommended moisturizers for skin that becomes dry or irritated in cold weather. Best Lotions for Dry Skin This Fall and Winter CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Augustinus Bader The Body Cream La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion Vanicream Moisturizing Cream Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Aquaphor Healing Ointment Cetaphil Advanced Relief Lotion Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion The Best Cleansers for Aging Skin CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Courtesy of Amazon $16.89, amazon.com A favorite among dermatologists, CeraVe's moisturizing cream is perfect for the body and face. "It contains three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid," says Dr. Chimento. "It smooths and restores skin while keeping it hydrated for up to 24 hours." Products with ceramides are essential for proper skin hydration as they essentially act as the glue that holds skin cells together. Augustinus Bader The Body Cream Courtesy of Augustinus Bader $100, augustinusbader.com Rich and decidedly luxurious, this cream doesn't just hydrate—backed by 30 years of research, the formula improves firmness and elasticity, too. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream Courtesy of Ulta $16.99, ulta.com Free of fragrance and oil, this non-comedogenic cream is ideal for people with eczema-prone skin; it can be applied to your face, body, and hands. Dr. Chimento says it's an excellent option for targeting specific areas on your body. It will soothe the skin and provide relief from incessant itching. Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion Courtesy of Walmart $13.47, walmart.com One of the most popular lotions on the market, this lightweight and gentle cream is perfect for everyday use. Aside from being hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, the formula is also fragrance free—that's pretty notable when you consider that "products containing fragrances can irritate, sting, burn, and dry the skin," says Dr. Green. Vanicream Moisturizing Cream Courtesy of Amazon $12.88, amazon.com Looking for a no-frills body cream that won't disrupt your acne-prone skin? Consider this option from Vanicream. It's free of fragrances, dyes, lanolin, and parabens, making it a smart choice for people combating eczema. Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Courtesy of Amazon $11.18, amazon.com This full body cream—which is clinically proven to reduce eczema flare-ups—contains colloidal oatmeal, an additive that benefits dry dermis. Oats calm the skin, as well as stimulate collagen, according to Dr. Green. "The oats bind to the skin creating a shield against irritation while locking in natural moisture," she says. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Courtesy of Walmart $16.99, walmart.com Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this moisturizer will bring dull skin back to life. Hyaluronic acid helps to soften and hydrate the skin by locking in moisturizer, notes Dr. Green. It also has "antioxidant properties that can help protect against free radicals and other environmental pollutants," she says. The water gel contains ceramides and essential fatty acids that strengthen your barrier. Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion Courtesy of Walmart $10.68, walmart.com Soothe dry patches with microdroplets of Vaseline jelly, a defining feature of this prescription-strength moisturizer. According to Amanda Doyle, a dermatologist at Russak Dermatology, that's why this formula is her go-to product for dry, irritated skin. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Courtesy of Ulta $38, ulta.com Its name speaks for itself—this face and body cream is ultra-repairing. The formula contains colloidal oatmeal and shea butter, two ingredients that protect the barrier and relieve itching and irritation caused by eczema, rashes, and other skin conditions. Aquaphor Healing Ointment Courtesy of Amazon $15.19, amazon.com This heavy-duty ointment can be used as a lip moisturizer, hand cream, foot cream, and beyond. It's a great option dry skin; the addition of glycerin prevents dryness from occurring in the first place (it actually pulls water into the dermis). Apply it to dry, cracked skin for instant relief. Cetaphil Advanced Relief Lotion Courtesy of Amazon $21, amazon.com Here's another option from Cetaphil. The shea butter formula helps restore your skin's barrier while still being a lightweight option, says Dr. Chimento. The advanced relief lotion also contains vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects the skin from oxidative stress. "Vitamin E also has restorative properties and is able to repair the skin at its cellular level, accelerating the production of collagen and elastin," says Dr. Green. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion Courtesy of Walmart $9.64, walmart.com As for Dr. Green's top pick for dry skin? She likes this option from Aveeno, which contains colloidal oatmeal. The fragrance-free lotion reduces inflammation and stimulates collagen production, which improves elasticity. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit