As the temperatures drop and the air gets drier, our beauty routines need a serious upgrade. This winter, our editors have been testing the latest launches to find the products that actually deliver on hydration, glow, and protection. From barrier-restoring creams to cozy lip treatments, here are the 10 must-have beauty products for the season.
The Winter Skincare Saviors
1. Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream
For those days when your skin feels “crunchy” from the cold, the Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream is a heavy-duty lifter. It’s an ultra-rich lipid cream designed to nourish even the most chronically dry or mature skin. We love that it uses a 6-butterlipid complex to restore the skin barrier while clinically providing 24-hour moisture.
2. Rhode Barrier Restore Cream
If you want barrier protection without the weight, the Rhode Barrier Restore Cream is our editor-favorite for daily wear. It’s a rich yet lightweight moisturizer that uses peptides and squalane to soothe compromised skin. It absorbs beautifully, leaving a “glazed” finish that looks healthy, not greasy.
3. Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask
Winter is the best time for overnight treatments. The Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask is a standout because of its unique Peony and Collagen Complex. The “Hydro-Melt Glow Capsules” mimic the skin’s lipid barrier, helping you wake up with noticeably plumper and more radiant skin.
4. Glow Recipe Blackberry Retinol Blemish Serum
Retinol can be tricky in winter, but the Glow Recipe Blackberry Retinol Blemish Serum is incredibly gentle. It combines a triple-retinoid blend with blackberry extract and glycerin to treat blemishes and texture without the typical seasonal irritation. It’s the perfect way to keep pores clear while soothing sensitive skin.
Cold-Weather Color & Glow
5. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked
Winter skin can look a bit dull, but the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked palette fixes that instantly. This limited-edition palette uses Photoluminescent Technology to filter out harsh light and create a multidimensional glow. It’s an all-in-one for finishing, blushing, and highlighting that never looks chalky.
6. Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream
For light, hydrating coverage, the Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream is a winter winner. It’s a clean formula packed with copper peptides that increases skin hydration by over 200% after a month of use. It provides a natural, skin-like finish that masks winter redness perfectly.
7. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stix
Fenty has combined the shine of their iconic gloss with the pigment of a lipstick in the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stix. Infused with Vitamin E and Shea Butter, it locks in moisture for up to 8 hours, making it a great alternative to drying matte lipsticks during the colder months.
8. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm (Iced Coffee)
The limited-edition “Iced Coffee” shade of the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is a seasonal favorite. This vegan lip treatment provides a sheer cocoa tint and deep hydration thanks to shea and murumuru seed butters. It’s the perfect “your lips but better” product for everyday wear.
The Body & Fragrance Finishing Touches
9. Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream
Dry, cracked hands are a winter staple we’d like to avoid. The Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream is fast-absorbing and features a spill-proof bottle that doubles as a massager. With niacinamide and peach flower extract, it keeps hands soft for up to 16 hours.
10. Chanel N°5 L’Eau Purse Spray (Holiday Edition)
Winter fragrance should be easy to carry. The Chanel N°5 L’Eau Purse Spray is a modern, fresher take on the classic N°5. This holiday edition comes with a jewelry-inspired chain and a woven pouch, making it as much a fashion accessory as it is a bright, citrus-floral scent trail.
Affiliate Disclosure: At Feeling the Vibe, we only recommend products that help you stay cool. This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you. Stay icy!
Diana is the co-editor-in-chief of Feeling the Vibe. She loves pop culture and is always up to date on the latest news. If you have any tips or comments, email [email protected].