9 Dermatologist-Recommended Products for Dry Skin

Winter is right around the corner, and that means cold air and dry, heated rooms are about to wreak havoc on your skin. But frigid weather isn’t the only culprit behind dry, flaky skin during colder months. According to dermatologists, your skin care products might also be to blame.

We asked dermatologists which formulas make dry skin even worse during winter. They told us which products to avoid—and which ones to buy instead. Stock up on these dermatologist-approved products if it’s time to winterize your skin care routine.

Best Dermatologist-Approved Products for Dry Skin

Avoid: Scented Products

Use Instead: Fragrance-Free Products With Emollients

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

It’s tempting to scoop up yummy-smelling lotions and creams, but scented formulas might actually be doing more harm than good. “Avoid at all costs products with strong fragrance or alcohol as an ingredient,” says Dr. Nava Greenfield, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. “These ingredients, although they may feel wonderful and smell nice when applied, will in the longer term contribute to skin dryness and add to the risk of eczema and rashes.”

Dr. Greenfield recommends fragrance-free creams and ointments with moisture-locking ingredients. This Neutrogena hand cream checks all the boxes and contains glycerin, a tried-and-true ingredient for trapping moisture. “It’s very easy to apply and does not leave a heavy, oily consistency,” says Dr. Greenfield.

Avoid: Strong Exfoliators

Use Instead: Low-Concentration Glycolic Treatments

CeraVe Skin-Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment

Exfoliators might feel like they’re doing wonders, sloughing away dry, flaky patches, but at the end of the day, they can be pretty harsh on delicate skin. “Strong exfoliating ingredients can make dry skin worse, like high-concentration glycolic or salicylic acid,” says Dr. Greenfield.

This doesn’t mean you should completely eliminate exfoliators from your winter skin care routine. Instead, Dr. Greenfield suggests switching to a gentler formula. “If you want to use exfoliators, you can use a lower concentration alpha or beta hydroxy acid, like a gentle glycolic serum or wash.” She recommends this CeraVe exfoliator for its low 5 percent concentration of glycolic and lactic acids. Also, “it helps hydrate skin using three ceramides, adding back important molecules for skin health that it exfoliates away.”

Avoid: Rich, Lathering Soaps

Use Instead: Sulfate-Free Body Wash

Aveeno Calm + Restore Body Wash

I personally love sudsy body washes, but Dr. Greenfield says ingredients that create those luxurious lathers can also strip away natural skin oils—leading to dry, itchy skin. Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate are top offenders because they erode the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

If you’re using soap with lathering ingredients, Dr. Greenfield recommends swapping it for a sulfate-free formula like this Aveeno body wash. It contains zero sulfates, and it’s also free of other common irritants like dyes and fragrances. Although you won’t get the thick, rich foam you might love from other body washes, your skin will thank you for it by the end of the season.

Avoid: Strong Retinol Treatments

Use Instead: Gentle Skin-Renewing Creams

Matter of Monday Anti-Stress Renewal Moisturizer

Many people swear by retinol products when it comes to anti-aging, but Dr. Debbie Palmer says retinol can irritate the skin and exacerbate dryness in the winter. “Retinol accelerates cell turnover, so it can sometimes lead to dryness, redness, and flakiness of the skin,” she says. It’s especially prevalent during winter months when harsh conditions are already sapping your skin of precious moisture.

If you suspect your retinol treatment is parching your skin, opt for a skin-renewing lotion with a gentler formula that contains loads of hydrating ingredients. Dr. Palmer recommends this Matter of Monday moisturizer, a lightweight formula infused with microalgae extract, aloe, and hyaluronic acid to soothe and quench your skin.

Grown Alchemist Restorative Hand Cream

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

Vanicream Gentle Body Wash

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA