Carrying on our winter skincare feature - yes we know Christmas is long gone, but it's still winter. Does it feel any warmer to you? No - is our list of our favourite moisturisers for dry skin. Even if you skin isn't usually dry, in the winter it can become that way after being battered by the harsh environment (wind, cold, air conditioning, etc). Make sure your skin is protected through to spring with our pick of the best moisturisers for dry skin (and by best we mainly mean that they work, and they work fast)!
Clarins HydraQuench Rich Cream, £33
This was my joint favourite out of the many (many) I tested. Rich, thick and substantial feeling, I trusted just from the consistency that it was going to be good and it was - sunk in fast, didn't leave any stickyness and left my parched skin unbelievably silky after just one use. Also good for city dwellers like me as it contains Clarins E3P Complex (to protect from pollution) Katafray bark extract, a new Hyaluronic acid complex, Sorbier bud extract (to boost the blood capillary network), Arctic Cloudberry oil (rich in essential fatty acids which nourish and soothe skin).
Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator, £32
This brand new cream is Clinique's latest offering for dry skin, with a gel-like consistency that sinks in immediately. Not only does your skin feel nourished immediately, but the product also promises by the end of 8 weeks to increase the skin's moisture by over 40 per cent, plus its 'barrier strength' - the skin's own tool to retain moisture - by over 70 per cent.
Eucerin Dry Skin Replenishing Face Cream 5% Urea, £10.79
This cream (for dry to very dry tight skin) is my other favourite, and goes to show that you don't always have to spend a bomb on a product for it to work - the light formula contains urea which acts as a humectants and lactate that is a miracle worker with dry skin. It is amazing.
Dermalogica Super Rich Repair, £58
A good one for anyone who wants to incorporate anti-ageing properties into a heavier moisturiser, Dermalogica's Super Rich Repair soothes and hydrates thirsty skin while its powerful peptides stimulate collagen production, plus its acid-free smoothing complex improves elasticity and tone.
Darphin Hydraskin Rich, £31
Lovely rich and hydrating cream - has mango and kiwi extracts which give it a good enough to eat scent, plus I know it's not really relevant, but that packaging just screams luxury.
MAC Complete Comfort Crème, £22.50
My mind doesn't automatically skip to MAC when I think of skincare, but this is a nice thick, creamy... cream, fast absorbing and hydrating, and very effective at battling dry bits.
Nivea Visage Rich Moisturising Day Cream, £4.19
The richer version of this classic moisturiser, it's enriched with skin feeding lipids in the form of Almond & Calendula Oil and like the Simple one, has UVA/UVB filters.
Simple Kind To Skin Moisture Boost Hydro Cream, £5.99
Great for sensitive skin, this range is specifically developed to hydrate and refresh winter-ravaged skin.Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E nourish, restore, soften and smooth skin, plus it also contains UVA and UVB to give protection against winter sun.
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