I’ve tried hundreds of skincare products to soothe my dry and flaky ‘winter face’: here are the 8 I actually recommend

If you struggle with dry, flaky skin in winter, this Dr Jart overnight mask is a must-buy.

The gel-like consistency is cooling to apply, and infused with three hero ingredients: centella asiatica extract, to sooth and reduce redness; peptide R-protector, to deliver a collagen boost; and allantoin, to reinforce the skin’s hydration barrier and prevent dryness returning.

It’s also much lighter weight than the majority of overnight masks, so you won’t wake up in the morning with a gross, sticky pillow.

Apply twice or three times a week, and you’ll find irritated skin becomes pillowy soft and miles calmer.

This cult-favourite French pharmacy balm is the ultimate SOS product for stressed-out skin that’s suffering from winter redness and flakiness.

Packed with 5% panthenol (vitamin B5) to accelerate healing and madecassoside (from centella asiatica) to calm inflammation, it’s a go-to for everything from post-peel dryness to windburn and winter roughness. The addition of La Roche-Posay’s signature thermal spring water helps soothe irritation instantly and leaves your skin feeling thorough quenched.

Despite its rich, creamy consistency, it sinks in surprisingly well, leaving skin soft, smooth and comforted rather than tacky.

Apply a generous layer twice daily on washed and dried skin, and top up on dry patches if needed.

For those battling dry, parched winter skin, Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm is a strong contender.

It’s the closest I’ve ever come to spa-like softness at home, with each scoop emulsifying into a milky texture that feels like velvet on sore cheeks, and rinsing to a supple finish. After use, skin typically feels soft, plump and comfortable – not at all tight or squeaky.

In cold or indoor-heated environments where skin tends to lose moisture fast, this balm helps preserve its barrier by leaving behind lipids and oils.

Scoop up a hazelnut’s worth of the balm and heat it between your hands, then apply to skin and massage. Allow yourself to enjoy – it smells divine – before washing off with a fluffy face cloth. Use once or twice a day.

Keep in mind the strong aromatic profile means it’s not ideal for ultra-sensitive or allergy-prone skin. Also, for users with oilier skin or in hot weather, the richness may feel a stretch.

The Ordinary’s upgraded hyaluronic acid serum takes everything that made the original a bestseller and turns it up a notch.

Combining low, medium and high molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, it hydrates the skin at multiple levels, delivering a long-term, lasting moisture boost. Then there’s the ceramides, a natural lipid which helps lock in water by strengthening the skin’s barrier. Talk about glass skin.

Apply two to three drops to slightly damp skin after cleansing in the morning (before your moisturiser and SPF) and again before you night cream.

You’ll notice a significant hydration boost – but if you are a fan of real top-end luxury skincare, you might find this £8.80 serum feels a *little* less indulgent.

Weleda’s Skin Food Lip Butter is one of those winter handbag staples that’ll work *hard*. t’s rich but not claggy, melting into a cushiony balm that feels instantly soothing on dry or wind-chapped lips.

The formula takes cues from the brand’s iconic Skin Food cream, swapping thick greasiness for a buttery smooth finish that nourishes without smothering.

The lanolin and beeswax combo helps lock in hydration while forming a soft barrier against cold air, and the natural extracts – chamomile, calendula and pansy – calm irritation and leave lips visibly smoother. The gentle shine makes it perfect both as a standalone balm or over lipstick.

It does have that distinct Skin Food scent – herbal, slightly citrusy and comforting – so those with fragrance sensitivities might prefer something simpler. And while it performs beautifully for everyday dryness, you’ll need to reapply if your lips are cracked or exposed to extreme cold.

For most, though, this is an affordable little luxury: a plant-powered rescue balm that’ll soothe sore cracked lips all winter.

If you’re after a reliable handbag product for hydration top ups during long winter days, Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist is the perfect pick. Think of it as your hydration touch-up too: light, fuss-free and ready to spritz as soon as skin starts feeling tight or dulled by the cold or central heating.

The nozzle delivers a super fine cloud that doesn’t drench your face, so don’t fret applying atop make-up – it won’t ruin your base. Inside that milky mist are humectants like glycerin and light emollients that help draw moisture in and soften skin, while ingredients like black oat and allantoin aim to soothe and protect.

It’s compact enough to toss in your bag for office commutes, but because it’s only a light spritz it’s never going to be as hydrating as a heavier balm or moisturiser. If you’re really suffering with dry skin, it’s a stop-gap top-up, not an ultra-soothing reset.

If your skin tends to crack, flake or sting through winter, CeraVe’s Advanced Repair Ointment is the ultimate pocket-sized fix.

Designed to act like a protective bandage on damaged skin, it’s thick, buttery and instantly comforting on dry or irritated areas.

The formula combines petrolatum (to seal in moisture) with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to rebuild and reinforce your skin barrier – exactly what parched, weather-beaten complexions need when the temperature drops. Unlike many heavy balms, it’s completely fragrance-free and dermatologist-developed, so it won’t sting even the most sensitive skin.

Use it anywhere from your lips and knuckles to elbows and windburned cheeks, whenever you need a hit of soothing protection. A pea-sized amount goes a long way and will instantly help stop burning and redness.

It’s not ideal under makeup or for anyone who dislikes a rich texture, but as an on-the-go rescue product for cold commutes or cracked winter skin, it’s genuinely unbeatable.

If your skin tends to lose its glow the second the heating goes on, BYOMA Hydrating Recovery Oil is your new saviour. Lightweight but nourishing, it gives softness in seconds without the heaviness (and inevitably breakouts) caused by traditional face oils.

The formula is cleverly built around barrier-strengthening ceramides, hydrating squalane and a mix of restorative plant oils like jojoba, rosehip and sea buckthorn. Together, they cushion the skin and lock in moisture, while antioxidants help protect against environmental stress.

Despite being oil-based, it feels breathable and silky – more satin than slick – making it ideal for everyday use. Apply 2–3 drops after your serum and before moisturiser, pressing it gently into damp skin. You can also pat a single drop over makeup during the day to revive dull, dry patches, a brilliant trick for winter commuters.

Because it’s compact and non-greasy, it’s an easy one to keep in your handbag for emergency top-ups. While extremely dry skin may still crave something heavier at night, for most, this delivers instant comfort, glow and that all-important barrier support in one chic little bottle.