Diary / Beauty / May 18, 2023

What's the Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin in Winter?

Written by: Piper Gray

Photography by: Ben Ritter

Woman holding Jones Road Beauty's Hippie Stick

With the chilly weather comes new skin concerns. Are you experiencing flaky or tight skin that is more sensitive than usual? Dry skin is common, and anyone who has experienced it knows how unpleasant it can be. 

Below, we dive into what causes dry skin and which moisturizers can hydrate dry winter skin. Even if the winter season is far off, it’s good to do your research and prepare in advance so you aren’t caught off guard once the temperatures drop.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Several factors, such as aging, genetics, or medical conditions, can cause dry skin. However, in the winter, in areas where there is lower humidity and cold air, more people experience skin that is dry and dehydrated

Nothing feels better than a hot shower or bath after a cold day outside, but spending too much time in hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to even more dryness and discomfort. While you might think bathing would give your skin a nice drink of water, it is actually the oils in the skin that keep it hydrated. 

And just because it’s winter that doesn’t mean your skin doesn’t need protection from the sun’s rays. Even when it’s looking gloomy outside, don’t skip your daily sunscreen. A good SPF will not only protect you from irreversible skin damage but too much exposure to the sun can chap already-sensitive skin. So, what else can you do to support your winter skin? We’ll go over how to find the best moisturizer for dry skin in the winter.

What’s the Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin in Winter?

You’ll definitely want to incorporate a face moisturizer into your skincare routine during the winter if you aren’t already doing so. When it comes to picking out a facial moisturizer, there are several factors you want to consider: your skin type, if you already have skin concerns (like acne or eczema), and the severity of your dryness.

While those with already oily skin may want a thinner lotion as a moisturizer, if you are experiencing dry skin, you’ll want a thicker texture. This will help to seal in moisture and prevent water loss from the skin. 

Avoid skincare products that contain alcohol or fragrances, as these can further dry out the skin. Quick note: You may see some instances of "alcohol" listed among our product ingredients: for example, behenyl alcohol in Miracle Cream and cetearyl alcohol in our Eye Cream. Although these are labeled as alcohols, they are fatty alcohols and help effectively smooth the hair and skin. Their chemical structure is different from typical drying alcohol, even though they are still called alcohol.

When it comes to ingredients, look for oils and even butters that offer deep hydration. They are incredibly effective moisturizers.

Woman applying The Oil Stick by Jones Road Beauty

Plant Oils and Butters for Moisturizing

Oils are excellent at maintaining moisture and hydrating your skin so it stays soft. Plus, they are non-toxic and well-tolerated by all skin tones

Apricot Oil

Fatty acids are vital for cells, as they help provide the actual structure to the cell. They also aid brain development and function, support healthy hormone production, and maintain skin health. When it comes to our skin, fatty acids can help improve skin health by soothing inflammation and combating dryness

Apricot oil contains a significant amount of fatty acids, which can provide nourishment and protect the skin when scrapes, cuts, or blemishes occur. The antioxidants in apricot oil may help to minimize the visible signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. 

Even if you have oily skin, this lightweight, nourishing oil provides the moisture your skin needs to stay balanced, but without feeling like you’ve drenched your skin in oil; it’s easily absorbed into the skin, leaving a non-greasy feel. We’ll get to this more in a bit but our Oil Stick features apricot oil. (Just one reason to love it.) 

Rosehip Oil

Another oil rich in fatty acids, rosehip oil (you may see it written in some places as “rosa canina fruit oil”), is a natural oil that’s rich in antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage skin cells, and this can lead to more rapid aging. Antioxidants help neutralize these free radicals, keeping the skin youthful and healthy. 

Sunflower Seed Oil

While you may associate sunflowers with the bright summer sun, their oils are perfect for dry skin caused by winter weather. Another fatty acid, sunflower seed oil helps to maintain the skin barrier and prevent water loss

Sunflower seed oil is non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores or contribute to breakouts. This means it’s an especially great ingredient for sensitive skin types who experience blemishes. Our Hippie Stick is a balm packed with sunflower seed oil that provides a buttery but non-greasy barrier against harsh weather that contributes to dryness.  

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is a great addition to your skincare routine when your skin feels excessively dry. This oil is an absolute powerhouse and is already known to be effective in pharmaceuticals.

For one, it is effective at keeping evaporation at bay; keeping that moisture in means that your skin remains supple. Its emollient properties provide conditioning in skincare and haircare, and the oil is used in a vast amount of cosmetics. (We’ve already explored jojoba oil’s wonderful benefits, if you care to take a deeper dive.) It restores the skin’s natural shine without feeling greasy, which is why it’s a staple in not only the industry but also in our own products, like in What The Foundation. WTF is a tinted moisture balm, perfect for those suffering from dry skin who want coverage—on top of their daily moisturizer—that can help add hydration back in.

Macadamia Seed Oil

Macadamia seed oil is non-comedogenic (meaning: no clogged pores here) and filled with fatty acids. Featuring vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, it's also excellent for dry skin thanks to oleic acid and palmitoleic acid, which leaves skin supple. Macadamia seed oil absorbs quickly, which makes it a great addition to our Eye Cream

Shea Butter

Shea butter is the fat extracted from the shea tree's nut and has found popularity in moisturizers and cosmetics. It is a versatile ingredient that helps to lock in moisture and prevent the skin from drying out; fantastic for those with sensitive skin. Also containing antioxidants, shea butter can help to protect the skin and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you have facial scarring, its high concentration of fatty acids and vitamins can support the healing process. 

Shea butter is found across Jones Road, for example, in our Face Pencil, which corrects signs of discoloration and covers redness. (We recommend using your preferred shades alongside WTF once you’ve sufficiently hydrated with your moisturizer of choice, which we’ll get to in just a moment.)

 

Jones Road Moisturizers for Your Skin

Finding the right moisturizer will help restore your skin and make it soft and supple again. But you must consistently apply it to enjoy the benefits of sticking to a routine. (And by consistently, we mean everyday.) There are a few options at Jones Road that you’ll want to incorporate into your regimen.  

Light Moisture Cream

Even if you don’t deal with dry skin in the winter (or ever), you should still moisturize. Our Light Moisture Cream is fast-absorbing and buildable, which will gently replenish any lost hydration in the morning—always an important step when it comes to prepping your skin before applying makeup.  

If you have dry skin, use a heavier product at night for ultimate hydration, and then use the Light Moisture Cream during the day. 

Miracle Cream

If the cold winter air has your skin feeling dull and dry, Miracle Cream is thicker than Light Moisture Cream, and offers intense moisture for skin types that would benefit from more nourishment. Shea butter and sunflower seed oil will plump your skin and even help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This rich cream is ideal for those with super dry skin as a hydrating night cream, or as a mask, overnight. 

The Oil Stick

Need a little or a lot? The Oil Stick offers buildable moisture that can be used as a spot treatment for particularly dry spots or as an all-over dose of extra hydration. It’s portable so keep it with you to easily glide on and reapply. In addition to apricot oil, The Oil Stick features other plant oils like sunflower, jojoba, and rosehip, which will have your skin feeling smooth and soft in no time. It’s also perfect for rubbing into dry cuticles, another consequence of the winter months

Get Dryness Under Control

Dehydrated, irritated skin can be a nuisance, and can quickly worsen in the winter if you’re also prone to dryness. It’s important to have a routine in place so your skin can consistently receive the hydration that applying moisturizer—and the right one for your skin concerns—will offer. Start by looking for ingredients that promise to nourish your skin, and your complexion will be happier for it.

Shop the article:

The Oil Stick

Hippie Stick

Bestseller

What The Foundation

Bestseller

The Face Pencil

Light Moisture Cream

Miracle Cream

Diary / Beauty / May 18, 2023

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