The 5 Best Face Creams for Winter

This article originally appeared on Womens Running

While the weather gets chillier, the skin gets drier. And while we may be bundling up our arms, legs, and hands with winter running gear, most runners leave the face exposed as long as they can stand it. And even gaiters and face coverings can pose their own challenges when it comes to keeping the skin clear, soft, and hydrated--especially as you dip into some long mileage. One of the best ways to protect your skin from biting winds and winter temps is by investing in a protective and hydrating moisturizing cream. While there are a ton of options out there, we gathered up five of our favorites with options for all kinds of skin types, budgets, and uses. Check out our top picks for winter face creams below as well as in depth reviews of each one.

Best Overall: Nivea Cream

Nivea is a classic that has been around since 1911, and since introduced over 100 years ago, it hasn't changed all that much. This thick cold cream is highly moisturizing, and excellent at keeping water in the skin in cold months. Since it is on the heavier side, it works best for those with particularly dry skin, but even combo skinned individuals can get away with using it at night. This cream has a mix of ingredients like lanolin, petroleum, and mineral oils which are emollients, designed to lock in moisture and soften the skin. It also has vitamin B5 which helps to smooth and resurface the skin, and prevent it from feeling rough and dry.

Best for Eczema Prone Skin: First Aid Ultra Repair Cream

Super thick, hydrating, and fragrance free--this cream is great for those with sensitive skin and eczema. It uses active ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and allantoin which help to soothe, hydrate, and protect skin. It has a thick, buttery texture, but it soaks in quickly, and leaves the skin feeling plump and soft. Since it soaks in so quickly, it makes a great base under makeup, and protects against the elements when heading out for a chilly run.

Best Water Based:Fount Society Water Cream Moisturizer

A new addition to the skincare world, the Fount Society water cream moisturizer is light, silky, and feels cool on the skin. It is a gel-free formula which is great for any skin type, but particularly those with an oilier complexion. It soaks into the skin well, but it also contains glycerine which both helps to lock in moisture, and gives the skin a slightly slippery feel which provides a smooth base for makeup. This is also a fragrance-free formula so it won't irritate sensitive skin, and it can be worn both morning and night, so it's great for those wanting a no-fuss routine.

Best Scent: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

While this is technically a mask and not a cream, it is highly moisturizing, and designed to be worn overnight. It is specifically designed to help nourish and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier which leads to a brighter, clearer complexion and softer skin. The main active ingredient in this mask is squalane, hyaluronic acid, and mineral water. This combination gradually soaks into the skin overnight and lets you wake up with bright, hydrated skin.

Best for Acne Prone Skin: Cerave Moisturizing Cream

Cerave is a classic option that works great for all skin types, but particularly those that may struggle with acne. While it is excellent at hydrating thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, it is also non-comedogenic which means that it won't clog the pores which can lead to irritation and acne. This formula also has petroleum which helps to keep in the moisture, but it soaks into the skin quickly and won't leave a greasy sheen.

Best Plant Based Formula: Weleda Skin Food

While the Skin Food formula has been around for a while now, it recently regained some traction on TikTok for its pleasant scent, clean ingredients, and super hydrating formula. This cream uses a combination of sunflower and sweet almond oils as the base to lock in moisture, and rosemary, chamomile, and pansy extracts which also help to gently hydrate. This cream is also free of parabens and phthalates, synthetic fragrances or preservatives so it is gentle on sensitive skin.

For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.