The Best products for dry skin

As winter approaches, dry skin complaints tend to rise, and it's no surprise. The colder weather, combined with indoor heating, zaps moisture from the air and your skin, leaving it feeling tight, flaky, and uncomfortable. With less humidity, your skin's natural oils struggle to keep up, making hydration more important than ever. This is the season when even those with typically balanced skin might notice dryness creeping in, and for those with dry skin already, it can feel like a never-ending battle.

The key to surviving winter’s assault on your skin? Rich, hydrating moisturisers, regular exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, and, of course, extra care to lock in moisture. Your skin will thank you for the added TLC!

If you stuggle with dry skin all year round, you know the struggle is real—flaky patches, tightness, and the perpetual feeling that your face might just crack if you smile too much. It’s basically like trying to moisturise the Sahara. But don’t worry; we've got you covered with skincare products that will make your skin feel as smooth as a dolphin in a sea of coconut oil. Even better? Included are some vegan options for that extra glow-up karma.

Moisturisers

• CeraVe Moisturising Cream
  This is like a big cosy blanket for your skin. It's packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which helps your skin hold onto moisture like it’s the last season of your favourite TV show. And while it’s not vegan, it’s highly recommended by dermatologists for those dry-skin emergencies.

• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
  This one's basically the superhero of moisturisers. It’s thick, creamy, and soothing—like a cloud of hydration hugging your face. Plus, it's cruelty-free but not fully vegan (contains beeswax). Still, it’s a great non-comedogenic option for sensitive, dry skin.

Vegan Option:

• Pacifica Vegan Collagen Every Day Lotion
  This is a lighter moisturiser that still delivers super hydration. Plus, it has collagen that’s vegan (no cows were harmed in the making of your baby-soft skin). It’s perfect for everyday use, and the texture is so lovely it might just turn you into a person who actually remembers to moisturise daily.

Cleansers

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser
  Think of this cleanser as the friend who says, "Don’t worry, I got you." It's creamy and hydrating without stripping your skin’s natural oils. It’s like washing your face with a gentle cloud.

Vegan Option:

• Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser
  This is like a green smoothie for your face but with less guilt about spending $12 on kale. It’s packed with antioxidants and made from all the plants your actual diet should probably include—spinach, kale, green tea—but this time, your face gets the nutrition. It's refreshing and light, perfect for daily use.

Serums

• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
  Dry skin? Say hello to hyaluronic acid, your new bestie. This budget-friendly serum hydrates your skin on a molecular level (sounds fancy, right?) by drawing in moisture from the air. It’s like giving your skin a tall glass of water without having to deal with those judgmental hydration apps.

Vegan Option:

• Derma E Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
  This serum is vegan and cruelty-free, with added vitamins C and E for extra hydration and antioxidant benefits. It’s like that extra drizzle of olive oil over your pasta—just the right amount of extra that makes a difference. Plus, your skin will thank you for feeding it all the good stuff.

Masks

• Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
  This is the skincare version of drinking eight glasses of water in your sleep—basically, hydration magic. You slather it on, go to bed, and wake up feeling like you just slept for 12 hours even though you only got six because you stayed up scrolling TikTok.

Vegan Option:

• Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
  If your skin is as exhausted as you are, this is the perfect remedy. It’s hydrating, soothing, and vegan! Whether you’re jet-lagged or just life-lagged, this mask will revive your skin like a cup of coffee but for your face.

Sunscreen (Yes, even for dry skin!)

• EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
  This is a lightweight sunscreen that’s perfect for dry, sensitive skin. It's non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and somehow manages to keep your face from looking like an oil slick. Sunscreen for dry skin might feel counterintuitive, but trust me, skipping SPF will just dry you out more in the long run.

Vegan Option:

• COOLA Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30
  This is a reef-safe, vegan sunscreen that hydrates while protecting your skin. It's like the responsible, eco-friendly friend who recycles, does yoga, and somehow always remembers their reusable bag. Plus, no weird white cast!

Let’s face it—dry skin is basically your body’s way of saying, "Drink more water, and please stop ignoring me." It’s that feeling when your skin is so parched it tries to drink up the lotion faster than your post-workout thirst for iced coffee. Or when you put on foundation only to realise it’s clinging to dry patches and refusing to let go. No one wants this so try it. With the right products and sticking to your routine like superglue the difference in your skin will be apparent in a few weeks guaranteed.

Alright, so here’s the deal: all the moisturizers listed above? They're pretty fantastic. Each one has its own unique sparkle—like a star in the skincare universe. BUT, and this is a big “but,” just like no two snowflakes are alike, neither are our faces. We’re all a little different and what works wonders for your bestie might make your skin scream, "Why me?!"

So, yes, you might be that one person in a crowd of 200 who has an issue with a moisturiser that the rest of the group swears by. No need to panic—this just means your skin’s a diva and requires some extra special treatment. That’s why we’ve whipped up a little bonus list of extra award-winning moisturizers, just in case your skin wants its own spotlight. Because hey, options are everything!

2023 Award-Winning Moisturisers

1. Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

   • Awards: Allure Best of Beauty (2023), Byrdie Skincare Awards (2023)
   • Why it won: With its blend of Japanese purple rice and hyaluronic acid, this cream deeply hydrates the skin, leaving a luxurious dewy finish. It’s ideal for dry skin and has a cult following for a reason.

2. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

   • Awards: Glamour Beauty Awards (2023), Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards (2023)
   • Why it won: This intense, soothing cream provides instant relief to dry, flaky skin, making it a go-to for anyone with sensitive skin. Its rich texture and calming ingredients like colloidal oatmeal have earned it top spots in 2023 awards.

3. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

   • Awards: Good Housekeeping Beauty Awards (2023), Allure Best of Beauty (2023)
   • Why it won: Loved for its powerful anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide and peptides, this cream hydrates deeply while smoothing fine lines. Its accessibility and affordability keep it in the skincare hall of fame.

4. Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream

   • Awards: Women's Health Beauty Awards (2023)
   • Why it won: This clean beauty favorite is formulated with a rich blend of African oils and ceramides, ideal for deeply hydrating dry skin without a greasy feel.

But with the right products (and maybe some more water—sorry to nag), your skin will go from desert to dewy in no time. Just remember, hydration is key. You’ve got this, future glow-getter!