Best Ways to Get Rid of Dry, Itchy Skin in Winter

Winter skin can be rough (literally). Just when you’re warming up to the onset of the colder months by donning cozy sweaters and enjoying comforting home-cooked meals, your skin seems decidedly not on board with the sudden change in temperature. Whether you’re dealing with flakiness or itchiness, red patches or tightness (or maybe all of the above), we’ve got your go-to solutions for soothing your skin all season long.

Why Is My Skin So Dry in Winter?

Did you know that winter skin loses 25 percent of its moisture? That’s because when humidity drops, the air turns cold and dry, causing the water in your skin to evaporate. So during the coldest months, you’re more likely to deal with dry skin patches, dry skin on the face, flaky skin, and even eczema flare-ups.

Does Over-Cleansing Cause Dry Skin?

Cleansing too often can definitely lead to dry skin. While a hot shower feels great when it’s frigid outside, the combination of hot water and soap can also deplete your skin of fatty acids, which are necessary to keep it hydrated. The solution? Try to stick to one shower a day and be sure to slather on deeply hydrating cream, oil, or lotion as soon as you step out to dry.

Best Natural Moisturizing Ingredients

If you’re revving up your winter skin routine, opt for products with naturally moisturizing ingredients like the following:

• Shea butter
• Coconut oil
• Avocado oil
• Aloe
• Jojoba oil
• Essential oils
• Olive oil

Essential Oils for Dry Skin

While it seems reasonable that essential oils are great for treating dry skin, you might be surprised to learn that some of these natural hydrators are especially suited for balancing oily skin. If you’re looking to restore balance, you’ll want to be on the lookout for the following oils when reviewing product labels. Not only do the oils, when incorporated into skin care products, help keep skin soft and supple, but many essential oils offer antimicrobial properties that can help keep acne and irritation at bay. Here are some of the best essential oils for dry (even oily) skin. *Note: These oils are not intended to be used on their own or undiluted.

• Geranium essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Ylang ylang essential oil
• Myrrh essential oil
• Tea tree essential oil
• Patchouli essential oil

12 Best Moisturizers for Dry, Itchy Skin

Take a stand against winter dryness no matter your skin type with these hydrating essentials.

Best Face Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Treat parched skin to deep hydration with these dry skin–targeting moisturizers.

Cocokind Organic Matcha Face Moisturizer

Formulated especially for dry winter skin, this rich facial moisturizer delivers deep hydration with organic virgin coconut oil, organic matcha tea powder, organic pomegranate oil, and organic bergamot oil.

MyChelle Deep Repair Cream

Bring dry complexions back to life with this nourishing and hydrating cream made with a luxurious combination of organic rosehip oil and black currant oil.

Best Face Moisturizers for Oily Skin

Oily skin still needs hydration! Restore your skin’s balance with these moisturizing must-haves.

Earth Science Oil Free Moisturizer

Crafted for oily or combination skin, this oil-free, vegan moisturizer includes plant-based ingredients such as panthenol, vitamin E, and organic aloe vera.

Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizing Organic Face Lotion

Enjoy continuous moisture throughout the day with a lightweight formula of hydrating argan oil, toning evening rose water, and softening shea butter.

Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin

Gentle but effective, these delicate moisturizers soothe sensitive skin.

Weleda Almond Face Lotion

Go easy on sensitive complexions with a fragrance-free and hypoallergenic moisturizer, which conditions skin with sweet almond oil.

Burt’s Bees Sensitive Night Cream

This fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cream quenches irritated, dry skin overnight with aloe, shea butter, and protecting cotton extract.

Babo Organics Sensitive Skin Healing Ointment

Great for dry skin, eczema flare-ups, and general irritation, this balm is made with natural healing ingredients including medical-grade colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and cocoa butter.

Best Body Moisturizers

These ultra-hydrating body essentials pamper winter skin from head to toe.

ACURE Seriously Soothing 24hr Moisture Lotion

This unscented vegan lotion is your one-stop hydration shop. It keeps your skin moisturized all day long with the help of soothing cocoa butter and colloidal oatmeal, and steers clear of parabens, sulfates, silicones, and phthalates.

Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Healing Skin Cream

Based on an ancient skin-healing remedy, this all-natural cream delivers mega moisture with olive oil, beeswax, honey, pollen, royal jelly, and propolis extract.

Andalou Organics Kukui Cocoa Nourishing Body Butter

Your skin will think it’s on a tropical vacation when you massage in this rich blend of softening Hawaiian kukui flower, cocoa and shea butters, antioxidant-rich superfruits, aloe vera, and evening primrose.

Badger Damascus Rose Beauty Balm

Soften hands and elbows, repair cracked heels, or give dry patches an overnight moisture surge with this intensive, certified organic balm made with olive, rosehip, castor, and lavender oils.

DIY Dry Skin Treatments

Whip up these moisturizing remedies with items you probably already have in your pantry.

Coconut Oil for Skin Conditions

Treat conditions like chapped lips, sunburns, dry skin, and even acne with this multitasking natural wonder.

DIY Eczema Cream

If you’re dealing with eczema (aka patches of dry, red, irritated skin), you’re probably itching for relief. This calming DIY recipe, which combines shea butter, coconut oil, honey, and soothing essential oils, should do the trick—without harsh ingredients.

Sugar and Spice Lip Scrub

Sugar and spice is especially nice for sloughing dry skin away from parched winter lips, as in this exfoliating mix of sugar, raw honey, coconut oil, and cinnamon.