Frequently Asked Questions

What causes dry skin during winter?

During winter, it’s colder and less humid out—in these conditions, your skin produces less sebum and retains less water, making it drier. Your skin barrier also doesn’t function as well, meaning "skin might look and feel rough, dull, flaky, inflamed, red, and itchy," New York-based dermatologist Kenneth Mark, MD, told Allure. Luckily, using the right moisturizer—something soothing that will replenish the lipids your skin is missing—can help.

Which body moisturizer is best for dry skin in winter?

While there’s a time and place for lightweight, water-based moisturizers, in winter, look for products with a thicker texture and a higher oil content, suggests Day. Pro tip: To get the most out of any body lotion, cream, or serum, apply it to damp skin, which helps it absorb better. "Studies have shown that moisturizing immediately after bathing is significantly better than not applying moisturizer at all or applying it long after showering," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, told Allure.

Also key: If you have sensitive skin, allergies, or conditions like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, make sure your moisturizer doesn’t contain any alcohol and is fragrance-free. “Fragrance-free body lotions benefit sensitive skin by eliminating potentially irritating synthetic fragrances and masking agents that can trigger allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, and skin barrier disruption,” Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City, told Allure. Look for a blue seal that says, “Accepted by the National Eczema Foundation” as you shop—these moisturizers have been vetted and approved by a panel of doctors for people with eczema.

If you’ve been slathering on creams and you’re still not noticing a difference in your skin, Dr. Zeichner says tiny cracks in your skin might be causing inflammation that a regular lotion just can’t fix. Check in with your doctor or dermatologist—you may need an over-the-counter or prescription cortisone cream to find relief, he says.

Meet the Experts

• Stephanie Saxton-Daniels, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas
• Karan Lal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and New York City
• Adam Friedman, a dermatologist based in Washington, D.C.
• Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Kenneth Mark, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City
• Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City
• Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best body moisturizers for winter, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from makeup artists and dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.