The most hardworking moisturisers to add to your cart

As someone who has the unfortunate combo of dry and sensitive skin, I’ve invested a not-so-insignificant amount of time and money into testing moisturisers all my life. But come winter, my face feels like sandpaper, if I skip moisturiser even once. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve found face creams in every budget that would tick most boxes for different types of skins and concerns.

Because everyone’s skin is different, there’s no one-size-fits-all option. If you’re wondering how to find the right moisturiser for your skin, the best way to do it is by identifying your skin type. Does your face normally feel dry and flaky after washing? Do most face creams feel too greasy after application? Is your skin easily irritated?

We’ve rounded up the best picks for dry, oily, and sensitive skin types that will ensure you’re well protected and hydrated for the season. From products that combat redness to barrier-building cult favourites that show promise in just one use—at least one of these options is bound to work for your skin. Just don’t forget to put on some sunscreen after.

If your face feels like a frying pan…

Oily skin can be such a pain to manage, especially in the winter, when you’re forced to slather a heavy moisturiser so that your skin doesn’t produce excess sebum to protect against the itching, flaking, and irritation caused by dry air. Top tip: avoid washing your face with hot water and opt for a gel-based moisturiser that absorbs into the skin quickly. Put Simply’s Water Dam moisturiser is a lightweight gel-cream hybrid that hydrates the skin while controlling excess oil production thanks to its 70 per cent cica water and 3 per cent niacinamide formulation. Hyphen’s Barrier Care cream, too, is packed with ingredients like cica extracts, ceramides, and peptides that provide adequate hydration without feeling heavy on the skin. For those who love natural ingredients, Kama Ayurveda’s Kumkumadi day cream is powered with the crowd favourite Kumkumadi Thailam, and leaves the skin feeling radiant and plump without weighing it down.

If your skin feels like the Thar desert…

I’ve personally dealt with parched skin all my life. My favourite moisturisers are ones that not only make my skin feel quenched, but also nourished as if I’ve just consumed ambrosia. The much talked-about In My Defence moisturiser by D’you is packed with a patented 5-ceramide blend and lipids that make it feel like food for your skin. Despite having 1 per cent pure ceramides in it (which is 20 times more than the industry standard), it doesn’t feel greasy at all. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial cream, which has hydrating squalane, pro-ceramide, and glacial glycoprotein that protects skin from the drying effects of cold air, is another easily available option. And there is Chanel’s Hydra Beauty crème, which has a nice, thick, luxurious feel, but doesn’t leave the skin feeling sticky. It’s formulated with white camellia extract, an active ingredient patented by the French brand that works in combination with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, and has a subtle and pleasant fruity scent.

If your skin has no chill…

We’ve all been there, over-exfoliating or indulging in laser treatments and peels that promise baby-soft skin—only to end up with a reactive minefield for a face. If you’ve just undergone a series of intensive procedures or have skin that’s prone to flare-ups in general, a gentle moisturiser with soothing properties would be best. Cica or gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has become all the rage for its ability to repair the skin barrier. Dr Jart’s Cicapair line is great at reducing visible redness. The Intensive Soothing Repair gel cream is lightweight and cooling, while providing optimal hydration. Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Soothing face cream is another gel-textured option powered with cica, ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acids that is well suited for sensitive skin. Another lightweight option is Dab to Fab’s Spark Change moisturiser. Formulated with SyriCalm, a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient for hypersensitive skin, this moisturiser is compromised skin-friendly, which means it can be used after treatments like micro-needling and clinical peels.