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As temperatures drop, air humidity takes a significant dip and, combined with cold winds, hot showers and indoor heaters, can cause skin to become red, parched and itchy (ouch!).
"If there is enough inflammation and compromise to the skin barrier, eczema can also be triggered or worsen. It's important that a Winter regimen focus not only on moisturising, but keeping the skin barrier healthy," says Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC.
The key to treating dry skin in the Winter comes down to two ingredient categories: occlusives and humectants.
"Occlusives are ingredients that coat the skin's surface to prevent water from evaporating from the skin's surface, similar to cling film," Dr. Kanchanapoomi Levin explains. "Examples of occlusives are petrolatum, oils, lanolin and silicones. Humectants are ingredients that bind water and draw water into themselves and onto the surface of the skin, giving the skin to plump up a little bit. Common humectants are glycerin, propylene glycol, urea, and hyaluronic acid."
Click through for eight hydrating creams that contain some of these hero ingredients and beyond for getting back on the moisture track.