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Collage by Sarah Olivieri

The 35 Best Skincare Products for Winter, According to Bazaar Editors

Including the balm that saved one editor's lips and the cream that actually heals cracked, dry hands

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It's officially that time of the year: our skin is itchy, scaly, and more closely resembles a lizard than a dewy, glazed donut. You likely have a dozen barrier-repairing lip balms and thick hand creams in every bag and are constantly reaching for the most nourishing formulas to find relief. But, sometimes, no matter how many hydrating formulas you slather on your face or body, your skin can still feel parched (and that's coming from a beauty editor who tests products for a living).

So, what products should you actually use if your skin is drier than ever this season? We polled Bazaar's expert editors on the must-have, must-try moisturizing and hydrating products they trust with their skin in the dead of winter. Ahead, shop our picks.

Related: 23 Beauty Products Our Editors Loved in January

Hydrating Essence

Sarah Creal Moisture Source

Moisture Source

"This is the first step of my skincare routine after cleansing. It's a hyaluronic acid-rich essence that brings life back to my skin and makes it feel so soft and ready for whatever's next." —Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director

Milky Essence

Rhode Skin Glazing Milk

Glazing Milk

"This is a slightly richer and thicker essence, so I layer this as the second step in my routine. It makes my skin look glowy but not shiny, and I feel like it's particularly great at eliminating redness and flaky spots." —JR

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Humidifer

Canopy Large Room Humidifier

Large Room Humidifier

"I have one of these in my bedroom and one in my son's bedroom. Without it, I think my skin would have peeled off like a snake by now. What I love about Canopy's design is that it can be washed in the dishwasher, so it's super easy to keep clean and free from mold." —JR

Rich Moisturizer

U Beauty The Super Hydrator

The Super Hydrator

"This rich moisturizer seals all my serums and essences into my skin and gives my skin an immediate glow and bounce. It claims to hydrate for 48 hours, which is nuts, but I honestly believe it." —JR

"Tina Craig is some kind of magician. Everything she touches is skincare gold. Her products come up again and again on this list because they work hard. A tiny pump is skin-restoring goodness." —Leah Chernikoff, executive editor

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Drugstore Deal

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Moisturizing Cream

"I keep this on my bedside table so I can slather a fat layer on my face before bed. It's inexpensive, so I don't even care about using an unholy amount. It is the only formula I trust for the dead of winter, and I love that I can use any excess on my hands, elbows, legs—basically anywhere." —JR

Peptide Lip Treatment

Olehenriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment

Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment

"I will never trust another lip balm again. Chapped lip girlies, switch to this one instead. My lips have been saved!" —JR

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Repairing Mask

CHANEL Hydra Beauty Camellia Repair Mask

Hydra Beauty Camellia Repair Mask

"This face mask is the stuff of dreams. Its white camellia wax, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin formula gives my face an instant dewy glow the second I wash it off, not to mention long-lasting moisture. It also works extremely well as an overnight mask to prep my face for the next day." —Tiffany Dodson, beauty commerce editor

Body Moisturizer

Kate McLeod Daily Stone Solid Body Moisturizer

Daily Stone Solid Body Moisturizer

"Not only is this hydrating body stone earth-friendly, but a little of its cocoa butter- and plant oil blend formula goes a long way to moisturize the dryest of winter skin. Plus, the stone quickly absorbs, doesn't feel greasy on my skin, and leaves behind the subtle scent of rose, frankincense and neroli." —TD

Lip Treatment

BIBA DE SOUSA Biba de Sousa The Lip Treatment

Biba de Sousa The Lip Treatment

"I have a lot of lip balm crushes, but I am absolutely head over heels for this one by Biba de Sousa Los Angeles. It instantly sinks into the cracks and crevices of my dry lips to soften and soothe them in minutes using a blend of plant squalane, collagen amino acids, and more." —TD

Cream Mask

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask

Black Rose Cream Mask

"Another of my go-tos, Sisley Paris's cult-classic Black Rose cream mask has a rich texture that makes it easy to keep my skin hydrated, especially in winter months. After wearing it for 15 minutes (or sometimes longer), my face always looks brighter and feels softer—it's a true miracle worker." TD

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Face Oil

U Beauty The Super Intensive Face Oil

The Super Intensive Face Oil

"I like to consider U Beauty's Face Oil the cherry on top of my seasonal skincare routine. Whether I'm looking to lock in hydration day or at night, this oil is the perfect final step for a seamless moisture boost." TD

Body Retinol

Soft Services Software Update

Software Update

"When you need to call in the specialists, I go for Soft Services. The line is formulated for problem skin, and this body retinol helps you shed the unwanted layer of skin you build up in the winter. You likely already use retinol for your face, so this is a natural and necessary next step." —Lynette Nylander, executive digital director

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Drugstore Deal

NIVEA Essentially Enriched Body Lotion

Essentially Enriched Body Lotion

"There's a reason that even the most famed makeup artists use this body lotion on set. It's so hydrating, leaves an amazing sheen, and lasts all day. It's key for keeping your body skin scale-free." —LN

Luxury Moisturizer

Valmont Prime 24 Hour

Prime 24 Hour

"This is the cashmere blanket of face creams. It's an investment, but your skin will thank you." —LN

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Bath Sponge

UJFQBH 3 Pieces African Bath Sponge

3 Pieces African Bath Sponge

"Beauty folklore will tell you that you need all manner of fancy bath items to help scrub you down in winter, but I've been using these African net sponges since I was a child, and they work incredibly. The colors are gorgeous, and they are affordable too." —LN

Hydrating Lip Serum

Retrouvé Hydrating Lip Serum

Hydrating Lip Serum

"Imagine wrapping yourself with a comforting silk blanket before bed–this is what my lips experience nightly when I apply the Retrouvé lip serum. It has the lightweight feel of a lip oil but the longevity of a lip mask, and the unscented, zero frills formula is still on my lips when I wake up in the morning." —Katie Intner, associate beauty editor

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Lip Mask

Talika Smile Patch

Smile Patch

"Speaking of lips, when my pout is chapped beyond belief, I reach for these perfectly-shaped sheet masks that hydrate and plump with ceramides and vitamin B. They are my secret weapon for skin prep before a big event because they help my lip look last all night long."—KI

Peptide Serum

Medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

"My love affair for Korean skincare brand Medicube continues with its plumping pink peptide serum. The formula comes in both a vegan and non-vegan version (the latter uses salmon DNA to repair skin and even tone), and as someone who has tested both iterations, I know they each leave you with a bouncy, bright complexion. It gives my skin the juiciest feel all day, despite frigid weather." —KI

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Overnight Mask

RéVive Overnight Mask

Overnight Mask

"Sometimes, a night cream alone just doesn't cut it. I could wear a dozen layers of moisturizer (think Joey wearing all of Chandler's clothes in Friends, but the skincare version) and still have dry patches. However, this new overnight mask from RéVive has recently become a staple in my winter skincare wardrobe because of its soothing effect, courtesy of aloe and shea butter, and creamy texture that doesn't transfer to my pillow." —KI

Body Balm

Oak Essentials Moisture Rich Body Balm

Moisture Rich Body Balm

"One way to fight dry, itchy winter skin is with a cocooning layer of the Oak Essentials Body Balm. It has a slew of nourishing oils that instantly melt into the skin and hydrate. The result: softer, smoother skin and a stronger moisture barrier. Plus, it has a spa-like scent that is perfect to whiff before bed." —KI

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