12 Best Hydrating Creams for Soft Winter Skin
The cold months can be brutal on your skin. Between icy winds, dry indoor heating, and dipping humidity, your once-glowy complexion can quickly turn dull, flaky, and tight. Even the best skincare routines can fall flat when your moisturizer isn’t up to the seasonal challenge. That’s where the best hydrating creams come in — rich, cushiony formulas that wrap your skin in long-lasting moisture while keeping it smooth, supple, and healthy-looking all season long.
Gone are the days when thick creams meant sticky or greasy textures. The new generation of winter moisturizers are plush yet breathable, combining nourishing butters, ceramides, and hydrating powerhouses like hyaluronic acid and squalane. Whether your skin is desert-level dry, combination, or simply craving extra comfort, there’s a formula here that will restore your glow and keep your skin barrier happy from the first frost to the last snowfall.
After testing dozens of formulas across price ranges and skin types, we narrowed it down to twelve that truly deliver — no residue, no heaviness, just soft, plump, winter-proof skin. Here are the 12 best hydrating creams for winter 2025.
Best Picks
1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
If there’s one moisturizer dermatologists and beauty editors universally swear by, it’s CeraVe’s classic Moisturizing Cream. This tried-and-true favorite does exactly what winter skin needs most: repair, protect, and hydrate. The formula features three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help strengthen your skin barrier and retain moisture all day. It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and safe for sensitive skin — which explains why it’s always topping “best of” lists year after year.
The texture is rich and velvety without being greasy, melting easily into skin for instant relief from dryness. It’s perfect for the face or body, making it a multi-tasking winter essential. The best part? It layers beautifully under makeup, never pilling or leaving a sticky finish. Whether you’re dealing with irritation, tightness, or seasonal flakiness, this budget-friendly cream is the easiest way to bring balance back to your skin.
2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
If your skin throws tantrums the moment temperatures drop, this soothing, barrier-repairing formula from La Roche-Posay will calm it right down. Enriched with ceramides, niacinamide, and prebiotic thermal water, it restores your skin’s natural protective layer and keeps hydration locked in for up to 48 hours. It’s designed for even the most sensitive complexions — redness-prone, eczema-prone, or irritation-prone.
The lightweight cream texture absorbs quickly, leaving your face soft and balanced with zero residue. You can feel it instantly soothing tightness and discomfort while strengthening your barrier over time. It also layers effortlessly under SPF or makeup, making it an excellent day-to-night moisturizer for cold weather. If your skin is finicky or easily overwhelmed, this gentle formula is your new go-to winter savior.
3. Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Few moisturizers are as sensorial — or as glow-boosting — as Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream. It’s a luxurious, cushiony formula that drenches skin in moisture and leaves behind a soft, luminous finish that looks as good as it feels. Powered by Japanese purple rice, hyaluronic acid, and okinawa algae blend, this cream helps replenish hydration, strengthen the skin barrier, and deliver that signature “mochi-skin” look Tatcha is famous for.
It’s ideal for dry to normal skin types or anyone craving a richer winter texture that still feels silky and breathable. One application leaves skin supple, plumped, and beautifully dewy — like you’ve just had a facial. Plus, the delicate lavender scent adds a subtle touch of luxury to your routine. For makeup lovers, this cream also doubles as a perfect pre-foundation base, helping your skin stay smooth and radiant throughout the day.
4. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
When your skin is in SOS mode, this cult-favorite cream from First Aid Beauty is the ultimate rescue. Formulated with colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and allantoin, it provides instant relief for parched, irritated, or eczema-prone skin. The texture is rich yet fast-absorbing, giving that satisfying “quenched” feeling without a greasy film. It’s fragrance-free and allergy-tested, making it a safe pick for even the most reactive skin types.
After just a few uses, skin feels noticeably smoother, calmer, and more comfortable. It’s especially effective on stubborn dry patches and rough areas like elbows or cheeks. The formula creates a protective shield against cold air and wind while locking in moisture for hours. Whether you’re braving subzero temperatures or dealing with post-heating dehydration, Ultra Repair Cream is the heavy-duty hydrator that delivers visible comfort and softness every single time.
5. Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
If you prefer your moisturizer to feel more like a gel than a cream, Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H is your cold-weather dream come true. Despite its airy texture, this formula packs serious hydration, powered by aloe bio-ferment and hyaluronic acid. It creates a moisture reservoir in your skin that lasts for up to 100 hours — even after washing your face. The result is plump, refreshed, and dewy skin that never feels sticky or heavy.
This cream-gel hybrid is perfect for combination or oily skin types who still need hydration but don’t want the richness of traditional winter creams. It glides effortlessly onto the skin, leaving a cooling sensation that feels instantly comforting after a day in dry indoor heat. You can use it alone or as a hydrating base under makeup. Either way, it’s a foolproof way to keep your skin bouncy and luminous all winter long.
6. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream has been a winter icon for years — and for good reason. This beloved formula strikes the perfect balance between rich and lightweight, offering 24-hour hydration that works in even the harshest conditions. It’s infused with squalane, glacial glycoprotein, and glycerin, ingredients known for strengthening the skin’s barrier and locking in essential moisture without clogging pores.
The texture melts beautifully into skin, leaving it soft, supple, and perfectly prepped for makeup or sunscreen. It’s gentle enough for all skin types and reliable enough for daily use, making it a true cold-weather staple. Whether you’re dealing with biting winds or simply indoor heating overload, this moisturizer keeps your complexion smooth, healthy, and balanced — no matter how unpredictable winter gets.
7. Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
For skin that’s feeling tight, stripped, or downright thirsty, Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream is like wrapping your face in a soft, nourishing blanket. This rich yet airy formula is powered by a blend of six African oils, including marula and baobab, to deeply moisturize and restore elasticity. It also includes plant ceramides, which reinforce your skin’s barrier and lock in hydration, making it perfect for cold, dry climates.
The texture is a dream — whipped and velvety — melting effortlessly into the skin without feeling greasy. It gives immediate relief to dry patches and keeps your complexion soft and cushiony all day long. With consistent use, you’ll notice smoother texture, fewer rough spots, and a healthy, dewy bounce that lasts through even the harshest winter air.
8. Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
If you’re ready to splurge on a skincare investment piece, Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream is worth every drop. Loved by celebrities and skincare pros alike, this cult-classic formula uses the brand’s patented TFC8 technology, which supports cell renewal and helps your skin repair itself from within. It’s also packed with nourishing oils and shea butter, creating a rich, cocooning texture that feels ultra-luxurious without weighing skin down.
After a week of use, expect skin that feels firmer, smoother, and deeply hydrated — with a natural luminosity that radiates even on the coldest days. It’s especially effective for mature or extremely dry skin that needs more than just surface moisture. The Rich Cream doesn’t just hydrate; it transforms. It’s the kind of product you’ll reach for every winter, knowing your skin will thank you.
9. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Not all winter creams need to be thick — and Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel proves it. This cult-favorite moisturizer delivers intense hydration through purified hyaluronic acid, which locks in moisture and helps your skin stay supple all day long. The oil-free, gel-cream texture feels cool and refreshing on application, making it perfect for those who need hydration without heaviness.
Despite its lightweight feel, the formula offers serious staying power, keeping skin hydrated for up to 48 hours. It absorbs in seconds, leaving behind a soft, smooth finish that pairs beautifully under makeup. If you struggle with finding a moisturizer that hydrates without clogging pores or causing shine, this one will be your winter lifesaver. It’s fresh, fast, and affordable — a must-have for oily or combination skin this season.
10. ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
When hydration meets firming power, the result is ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream — a cult-classic luxury moisturizer known for transforming dry, dull winter skin into something radiant and supple. Infused with padina pavonica (Mediterranean algae) and marine botanicals, this formula helps improve elasticity while smoothing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s lightweight yet deeply nourishing, making it ideal for mature or combination skin.
The texture feels silky and cooling, absorbing instantly without residue — the kind of cream that makes your skin feel instantly refreshed. It creates a soft-focus glow under makeup while delivering all-day moisture that never feels heavy. If your goal is hydrated, firm, and youthful-looking skin even in freezing temps, this marine-powered cream brings luxury and results in equal measure.
11. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to keep your skin hydrated, The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is a no-fuss, highly effective option for everyday winter wear. It’s formulated with amino acids, fatty acids, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, mirroring the skin’s own natural moisturizing components to keep it hydrated and healthy.
The texture is lightweight and creamy, absorbing quickly while delivering real, lasting moisture. It’s non-greasy, fragrance-free, and suitable for all skin types — especially those prone to sensitivity or oiliness. Use it morning and night for soft, balanced skin that stays smooth no matter how dry the air gets. For under $10, it’s easily one of the best skincare deals of the season.
12. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream
For those who want hydration and radiance, Glow Recipe’s Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream delivers glass-skin levels of glow in a single scoop. The formula features five weights of hyaluronic acid plus plum extract, polyglutamic acid, and ice willowherb, all of which work together to attract and seal in moisture while balancing oil production. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without silicones or synthetic fragrance — perfect for clean-beauty lovers.
The bouncy, gel-cream texture melts instantly into the skin, leaving it silky, fresh, and luminous without shine. It’s ideal for normal to combination skin types and layers beautifully under makeup or SPF. With regular use, your skin looks more plump, even, and radiant — like you just stepped out of a facial. It’s a glow-getter’s dream cream for dull winter skin in need of life.
Why does my skin get so dry in winter?
Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, which means humidity levels plummet when temperatures drop. Combine that with indoor heating, hot showers, and cold winds, and you’ve got a recipe for a compromised skin barrier. When that barrier weakens, your skin loses hydration faster, leading to tightness, flakiness, and dullness. That’s why winter skincare isn’t just about comfort — it’s about protection. Using a hydrating cream rich in ceramides, squalane, and hyaluronic acid helps lock in moisture and strengthen your barrier so your skin stays soft and resilient all season long.
What should I look for in a winter moisturizer?
The best winter moisturizers go beyond basic hydration — they seal moisture in while repairing your skin’s natural barrier. Look for ingredients like ceramides (which rebuild your skin’s protective layer), hyaluronic acid (a powerful humectant that attracts water), and shea butter or squalane (for nourishment and smoothness). Niacinamide is another bonus ingredient — it helps calm redness and even skin tone, which can become uneven during cold months. Avoid formulas with alcohol, heavy fragrance, or harsh exfoliants, as these can strip your skin and worsen dryness.
How often should I apply moisturizer during winter?
At minimum, moisturize twice a day — once in the morning and once before bed. However, if your skin feels tight or flaky midday, don’t hesitate to reapply a light layer. You can even use a hydrating mist or serum to refresh your skin, then seal it in with a small amount of cream. For extra nourishment, apply your moisturizer right after cleansing while your skin is still slightly damp. This helps trap moisture and makes your cream work twice as hard.
How do I keep my moisturizer from pilling under makeup?
Makeup pilling usually happens when you layer products that don’t mix well or apply too much at once. To avoid this, give your skincare time to absorb — wait at least 2–3 minutes after applying your moisturizer before going in with foundation or primer. Stick to formulas that have a smooth, non-greasy finish, like Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream or Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream, which double beautifully as makeup bases. And always remember: less is more. A pea-sized amount is often enough for your whole face.