As I sit writing this, it is 7°F—which, with the wind chill, feels like-12°F—in Minneapolis, Minnesota. So it’s safe to say that Minneapolis-based board-certified dermatologist Ronda Farah, MD, is a pro at keeping her skin protected during cold, dry weather. She says that thicker moisturizers are her best friend when temperatures drop.
“In the colder months our skin gets drier, so it can get a little bit more irritated,” says Dr. Farah. “Also in the winter, things like eczema or other skin diseases can dry out and get worse, so switching to thicker moisturizers can be really helpful.”
Dr. Farah is a huge fan of products that are basic yet effective. “I like things that are bland, have limited fragrances, have low amounts of alcohol in them, and don’t have a lot of extra ingredients that can be irritating,” she says. All of her favorites are items you can find at the drugstore. “I’m not like a, ‘Let’s spend thousands of dollars on skin care’ sort of person. I’m a little bit more of a minimalist, especially because it can get really expensive.”
Shop the five moisturizers for cold weather that Dr. Farah always has on hand.
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Dr. Farah’s favorite body moisturizers
Aquaphor Healing Ointment — $7.00 to $14.00
“For the body, I really like Aquaphor,” says Dr. Farah. “Aquaphor is ointment-based, so it provides maximum moisture.” This all-over balm acts as an occlusive, locking moisture into the skin and preventing it from evaporating. Dr. Farah also loves that the formula doesn’t have a super-long ingredients list, which means it likely won’t irritate your skin.
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream — $7.00 to $14.00
When Aquaphor feels too thick, Dr. Farah chooses a cream from Vanicream. “A lot of dermatologists up here in Minnesota will pick Vanicream, which is a product made at Mayo Clinic,” she says. “Apply it from the neck down within 10 minutes of showering to really lock the moisture into the skin.” Dr. Farah also recommends keeping that shower water warm, not hot, to avoid dehydrating the skin.
Dr. Farah’s favorite face moisturizers
Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion — $14.00
For the face, Dr. Farah loves this lotion. It has a “low amount of fragrance and additives, meaning less chemicals on the skin, provides good moisturization and is from a reputable source,” she says.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream — $12.00
Dr. Farah is a huge fan of this cream in the winter. It contains three essential ceramides to restore the skin’s protective barrier and hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture. If a cream is too greasy for you, Dr. Farrah recommends the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($10), which is slightly lighter in texture.
Learn more about how a dermatologist cares for dry skin:
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