16 Expert Picks to Combat Dry Skin

Meet the Experts

We tapped three Canadian dermatologists to share their dry skin picks with us:

• Renée Beach is an MD with specialization in dermatology. She runs DermAtelier on Avenue in Toronto.
• Nicole Hawkins is dual-board certified in dermatology in Canada and the U.S. She works in Okotoks, AB.
• Irina Oroz practices medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology at Oroz Dermatology in Saskatoon.

(Related: The Best Skin Care Routine for Your Age, According to Dermatologists)

The Ultimate Hand Cream

“If I’m really not playing around, I’ll use this. It’s actually more like a pasty balm. It heals any dryness and insulates the skin’s surface.”—R.B.
Uriage Bariéderm-CICA Ointment Fissures Cracks, $29, well.ca.

(Related: 9 of the Best Hand Creams for Soft, Healthy Skin)

Calming Cleansers

1. “This is creamy and lovely, with a cheery citrus scent.”–R.B.
SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser, $56, skinceuticals.ca.

2. “I’ve been using Neutrogena’s cleanser for so long. It’s potent enough to remove makeup, sunblock and the day’s pollution, but doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils.”–N.H.
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, $17, well.ca.

3. “Fragrance- and preservative-free, this cream cleanser is gentle on the skin barrier and tolerable for even the most sensitive skin, while still delivering a satisfying foam that leaves your face feeling clean.”–I.O.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream, $24, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

(Related: 9 Drugstore Cleansers That Are Great for Your Skin)

Gentle Exfoliators

1. “This chemical exfoliating cleanser is formulated with three powerful ingredients: glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid (LHA). They’ll help smooth texture and brighten dull winter skin, without leaving it tight and dry—or stripping your skin barrier.”–I.O.
SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel, $53, skinceuticals.ca.

2. “The combination of glycolic and lactic acids helps exfoliate while acting as an efficient humectant to lock in moisture. To start, I recommend using it one evening a week to ensure skin tolerance and prevent irritation.”–N.H.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment, $38, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

(Related: Here’s How Often You Should Exfoliate Your Face)

Major Moisturizers

1. “Another product with a great mix of ingredients is Rhode’s Peptide Glazing Fluid. Brand developer Hailey Bieber nailed it with the combination of the humectant and moisturizer.”—R.B.
Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid, $48, rhodeskin.com.

2. “For the perfect winter moisturizer, look no further. Its first four ingredients tell you how hydrating it is: water; glycerin, which is moisture-attracting; dimethicone, which seals in the hydration; and vitamin B5, which heals, soothes and repairs winter-damaged skin. This formula is often used in clinic to heal skin after laser procedures. The newer gel formulation is lightweight, and when you use it overnight, it lends your skin a beautiful morning glow.”—I.O.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5, $23, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

3. “Here’s a beautiful, rich, luxurious-feeling facial moisturizer that can protect your skin during even the driest Canadian winter. Bonus: It comes at a drugstore price point.”—N.H.
Olay Sensitive Relief Eczema Cream Skin Protectant Fragrance Free, $48, well.ca.

4. “If I’m looking for moisturizer and that’s it—meaning I want a product that hydrates skin and is also a humectant, which locks in moisture—I would say Avène’s Tolérance recovery cream line is my go-to for elegant simplicity. It comes in both a cream, which is lighter, and a balm with shea butter, which is thicker.”–R.B.
Avène Tolérance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream, $39, well.ca.

(Related: 8 Drugstore Moisturizers for Every Skin Type)

Healing Face Masks

1. “Just a few minutes with a face mask formulated with glycolic acid—an alpha hydroxy acid that helps whisk away dead skin cells—is enough to help with gentle exfoliation.”–R.B.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Peel Mask, $56, sephora.com.

2. “This bargain find from the K-beauty realm gives skin a gentle boost of hydration overnight that lasts more than 24 hours.”–N.H.
COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask, $17, stylevana.com.

3. “Just like their cult-favourite lip sleeping mask, Laneige’s face mask packs a punch with key ingredients that include squalane, a lightweight oil that works as a water-wicking emollient, and glycerin, a humectant that traps in moisture. It can be used once a week to boost hydration, or for severely dry, peeling skin, it can be used nightly instead of moisturizer.” – I.O.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask with Squalane, $44, sephora.com.

Hard-Working Body Creams

1. “Tested on cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, this repairing cream is kind to even the most sensitive types. It’s formulated for distressed skin and contains soothing ingredients like prebiotic oats, aloe and vitamin B5 to help repair an irritated barrier.”–I.O.
Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Repairing Cream, $19, amazon.ca.

2. “I love this body cream because it has glycerin high up in its ingredient list. It’s packed with bacterial extract aquaphilus dolomiae, which helps to boost the skin’s microbiome to keep skin healthy.”–R.B.
Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm, $29, well.ca.

3. “Go with this cream all day, every day in the winter. The lotion formulation is best if you have normal skin, and use the cream if you have very dry or eczema-prone skin.”–N.H.
Eucerin Complete Repair Cream, $25, well.ca.

Next: Have Super Dry Skin? This Canadian Skincare Company Is Here to Help