The search for the perfect moisturiser is often an elusive — and subjective — one. Those looking for an ideal all-in-one day cream to streamline their routine may benefit from active moisturisers like the Emma Lewisham Illuminating Brighten Your Day Crème which contains acerola extract (a source of vitamin C) and natural AHAs and BHA to exfoliate, or the Sunday Riley CEO Cream for its vitamin C-laden properties. On the flip side, those with sensitive skin tend to veer towards a less active moisturiser while the perpetually oily-skinned among us will likely gravitate to lighter gel-based formulas like the Mesoestetic Hydra-Vital Light. Bucking the trend completely are the face oil devotees, who refuse to use anything but the likes of squalane, jojoba or rosehip oil.
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However, when looking for the best winter moisturiser, the sensitive skin team has the right idea. A recent study undertaken by Cetaphil found that 43% of Australians find their skin significantly changes during winter, with dullness, dehydration, and dryness cited as the most common issues. “Skin dryness can be exacerbated by changes in environmental factors like temperature and humidity, as well as too much heat or prolonged time in air-conditioning,” explains dermatologist Dr. Leona Yip of the findings. “That’s because our all-important skin moisture barrier is compromised and lipid production, hydration, and elasticity all drop during winter too. The result is an increase in dryness and appearance of fine lines, as well as skin roughness or tightness, and even an increase of skin irritation and sensitivities.”
To combat this, rather than giving your skin a crash course in resurfacing by slathering another layer of actives over your toner and serums, look for an uncomplicated cream. Resting in the space between a cold cream and a lotion, the best uncomplicated creams and moisturisers are happily free from potentially-irritating active ingredients, instead spotlighting nourishing ingredients like ceramides, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid that work to replenish the skin barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss.
Without further ado, these are the best uncomplicated creams and moisturises to nourish your winter skin.
1. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
One of the best winter moisturisers of all time, the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is intensely nourishing yet lightweight, sitting well over serums and under makeup. Often used by makeup artists, it harnesses the moisturising power of squalane and glacial glycoprotein and combines it with glycerin to lock in hydration.
2. Skinstitut Expert Restore Niacinamide Replenishing Cream
If you do include an active ingredient in your winter moisturiser, let it be niacinamide. Designed to replenish dry and dehydrated skin, this luxuriously rich cream effortlessly sinks into the skin, with niacinamide, beta-glucan, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and kakadu plum working in conjunction with plant oils to soften the skin. Ideal as both a day and night cream during the cooler months.
3. Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion
The platonic ideal when it comes to uncomplicated creams, the Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion is can be used on both face and body, with a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula that provides lasting moisture and hydration. Suitable for all skin types, it’s a go-to recommendation for dermatologists everywhere.
4. Clinique Moisture Surge
An updated classic, the latest iteration of the popular Clinique Moisture Surge promises 100 hours of hydration. Ideal for those with dehydrated skin, the gel-cream formula heroes juicy, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe water, combining them with lactobacillus and fermenting the ingredients to allow them to be more readily absorbed.
5. CeraVe Moisturising Cream
CeraVe is famed for its range of ceramide-packed lotions and moisturisers which work to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. The slightly richer CeraVe Moisturising Cream is well-suited to nourishing winter skin, working on all skin types and delivering lasting hydration.
6. Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Rich Cream
Ideal for skin that’s acting up, the Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Rich Cream supports both sensitive and sensitised skin, making it the perfect winter companion. A patented DAF complex works to improve the skin’s tolerance threshold, while antioxidants vitamin E and carnosine protect against external aggressors. A supremely rich cream for skin in need of soothing.
7. HoliFrog Grand Amino Cushion Cream
While this cream isn’t uncomplicated per se, it’s the good kind of complicated. Designed to soothe skin and strengthen the skin barrier, it’s enriched with a slew of peptides, ceramides, amino acids, antioxidants, niacinamide, natural plant oils, and moisturising factors to keep your skin nourished and protected. It also contains a touch of vitamin C to brighten the skin, albeit in a stable, non-irritating form.
8. Go-To Very Useful Face Cream
An ultra-nourishing moisturiser with antioxidant protection thanks to amla and CoQ10. Moisturisers like shea butter, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and mango butter lock in hydration provided by glycerin, creating a shield against the harsh winter air.
Words by T. Angel
