Nothing is worse than an icy wind whipping up against your sensitive skin. It can leave it dry, stressed out, and, most of all, reactive. Because when your skin is sensitive, you never know what might trigger it. Your complexion needs some TLC, and we asked the experts for their top picks. Here are 20 to keep everyone in the house soothed and hydrated.
Our skincare routine should shift with the temperature to keep our melanin glorious. We asked the experts about their favorite ingredients in a winter moisturizer that suits sensitive skin. Read on, they’ve got you covered this season.
Yes, Our Skin Can Be Sensitive Too!
Just as we are often perceived to endure more pain, our is sometimes seen as less sensitive. But a study published Journal of Drugs in Dermatology evaluating skin sensitivities across the Fitzpatrick Skin Types showed that perception and reality are two different things.
“Skin sensitivity can occur across all skin types, and patients should be asked about self-perceptions of sensitivity as it is likely an indicator of true sensitivity.”
How Is Sensitive Skin Different?
It requires a bit of extra care and consideration to stay healthy, especially when the air is biting. This kind of skin is hyperreactive. Even the subtlest change can have a large impact on sensitive skin.
“Individuals with sensitive skin commonly experience sensations such as tingling, itching, or burning,” according to a 2024 article from the Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology. Changes in routine for sensitive skin should be managed carefully.
In addition, men’s skin is about 20% thicker than female skin. It also contains more collagen, which helps to give it a tight, firm appearance. Add to that it is oilier, because men have more sebaceous glands, giving them more pores. But shaving stresses their skin out, especially Black men, many of whom are prone to ingrown hair. Bottom line, their skin may be even more sensitive than Black women’s. So this is one time where you can share your sensitive skin products, but if they shave, they need to invest in some good products and the right razor.
In What Ways Can Winter Weather Impact Sensitive Skin?
The humidity is pulled out of the winter air, leaving a drying environment for sensitive skin. Because of the increased use of heating methods, including furnaces, radiant floor heating, space heaters, and, more people are exposed to dry heat that can irritate sensitive skin and sap away the moisture of the space that you’re in. If you are not in control of the office thermostat, for example, that might show up on your cheeks and forehead later.
Dermatologists witness the havoc the cold air can have on the skin regularly. “I often see an increase in skin conditions exacerbated by dehydration,” said Dr. Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH, and Prose spokesperson. “Hyaluronic acid, squalene, and glycerin are all gentle ingredients that are essential to lock moisture into the skin during times when the air is dry,” said Dr. Nancy Samolitis, founder of facile.
What Ingredients Should You Avoid Putting On Sensitive Skin When the Temperature Drops?
Winter is not the time to load your sensitive skin up on moisturizers that are stacked with chemical exfoliants. Reading the ingredients on that toner might save you trouble later.
“Stay away from compounds that have a lot of denatured alcohol because that’ll make you dry and more itchy,” advised Jeanine Downie, M.D., director of Image Dermatology.
Nourishment is the goal here. You want to put back what has been taken away. Leaving out those harsh chemicals and turning to heavy soothing ingredients is the way to go. It can help to ward off dryness by creating a barrier between you and the elements.
How Should You Protect Kids’ Sensitive Skin In The Winter?
The whole family should consider how the weather impacts their skin health, including the little people. “Kids are more prone to have sensitive skin, especially in the cooler months of winter. It’s important to choose rich, fragrance-free creams or ointments that rebuild and seal the barrier,” said Dr. Joni Jefferson, DO, Founder & Medical Director at Zen Aesthetics.
“I always recommend that children avoid products with artificial fragrance, as it is a very common allergen,” added Samolitis.
Jefferson suggested not diving into a new product right away without vetting it properly. “Patch-test new products on a small area first, especially for children with eczema or very reactive skin,” she added. “I would also be cautious with lanolin if there’s a history of allergies.”
“I’d also avoid propylene glycol, which is a common allergen and skin irritant,” said Dr. Karan Lal, DO. He recommended alternatives that are a bit gentler. “Instead, I’d look for cetyl alcohol, dimethicone, niacinamide, shea butter, petrolatum, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
Colloidal oatmeal is a favorite ingredient of Wagner’s. Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., finds petrolatum “especially helpful for children with eczema.” “It’s found in products like
Aquaphor healing ointment and CeraVe healing ointment,” she said. She warned that certain ingredients can detract from efforts to care for sensitive skin in colder temperatures. “In children with sensitive skin, ingredients to avoid would include acids like glycolic acid and salicylic acid,” said Woolery-Lloyd.
Our Top 20 Winter Moisturizer Choices For Sensitive Skin
This drugstore option has the best texture! It feels like an ointment, but it functions like a moisturizer. It is firm but not greasy. Replace it with your makeup primer of choice and feel the difference.
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Skin Barrier Redness Recovery Moisturizer $24.00
The perfect companion to the viral rescue spray. This moisturizer pours back into the skin with soothing ingredients like ceramides. It earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance for its ability to calm breakouts. The National Psoriasis Foundation and the National Rosacea Society have recognized its protective qualities as well.
Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating and Firming Cream $16.99
A dermatologist recommended cream that feels so good after the shower you’d take when finished shedding your winter layers. It actively plumps your skin up with gentle ingredients like Centella Asiatica, an ingredient frequently cited for its wound healing properties. Turn to it when your hands feel like they’ve been lashed by the cold.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream $18.99
This moisturizer pulls double duty on the face and body. It is creamy but not heavy. We love to use it on sunburns and shield our faces from the winter wind with it.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, Multifunction Daily Face Moisturizer $19.00
Nearly every makeup artist at fashion week has this in their kit for a reason. It glides across the skin thanks to ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera. It transforms even the most haggard skin instantly.
Good Molecules Rich Cream with Ceramides $14.00
Good Molecules is known for its strong active toners, but this thick moisturizer formula deserves attention, too.
Oyin Whipped Shea Butter $19.99
This moisturizer was specifically designed with the winter months in mind. Its whipped texture is perfect for the season. In addition to shea butter, it contains jojoba and avocado oils.
Nécessaire The Body Cream Fragrance-Free $48
That aesthetic body wash all your favorite creators have in their showers is not the only thing that Nécessaire is good for. The brand is worth the hype, and this product proves it. It is designed to make the skin barrier stronger without the irritating burden of fragrance.
Pooka Pure and Simple Seamoss Body Butter $18.99
This creamy formula offers relief from winter dryness with a trio of shea butter, sea moss oil, and avocado oil.
Prose Custom Moisturizer $44.20
A custom moisturizer is the closest thing you’ll ever get to having a dermatologist in your pocket. It is developed by having the consumer complete a questionnaire about their direct skin concerns. It can also be designed to omit fragrance. It is a top-tier option that is worth the extra effort.
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Kids Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ $8.99
This option is actually invisible on multiple skin tones. It goes on easily, and it is free of synthetic dyes.
Aveeno Kids Sensitive Skin Face & Body Gel Cream $9.49
This hypoallergenic formula suits little ones of all ages. It dries down quickly, so it can absorb before your child has a chance to rub it off, and there are creatures on the bottle that might make the application process a bit more fun for them.
Eucerin has been the go-to brand for sensitive skin for generations. Their baby lotion is perfect for sensitive skin. It is not only fragrance-free it is also made without parabens and drying alcohols.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA $14.00
Designed to seal the powerful serums from the brand, this is a lightweight moisturizer that offers an added dose of hydration. Pair it with their squalane cleanser.
Facile Barely There Hyaluronic Acid Lightweight Moisturizer – $25
A moisturizer that sinks into the skin instead of just sitting on top of it. It shows instant results on tired skin.
Bolden F-Hydra Moisturizer – $24.49
This Black-Owned brand has been consistently dropping heat for years. Their squalane-based moisturizer hydrates deeply. There is no tacky feeling after application. It’s smooth.
103 Collection Vegan Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer $14.99
This Black-owned option has a delightfully milky texture. It is also fragrance-free and vegan certified.
Mad Hippie Ultra Rich Barrier Cream $17.99
Mad Hippie offers some of the richest creams on the market. Their Triple C night cream has been one of our favorites for a very long time. Their Ultra Rich Barrier Cream is a full-body formula that locks in moisture without any potentially harsh elements. It’s great to toss in your bag when you’re on the go in the cold.
Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer $26.99
Those oatmeal baths you got as a kid are still relevant for saving your skin. Soak up the dermatologist-recommended glycerin from this gel moisturizer.
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Facial Moisturizer $14.99
Black people experience rosacea symptoms as well. This gentle formula from Neutrogena neutralizes some of its symptoms, like intense redness that can be harsher in the winter.
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