Team-tested formulas that got us through the frost—and will see you into spring.
One more month. Four more weeks of cold winds, central heating, and the kind of indoor air that seems designed to pull every drop of moisture from your skin. Our beauty desk has been in triage mode, testing every possible rescue formula — from indulgent splurges to affordable heroes—to get us through winter and into spring without flaking, redness, or that dull, “I’ve been hiding indoors” complexion.
Between us, we’ve trialled these on dry cheeks, oily T-zones, breakout-prone chins and body skin that hasn’t seen daylight since June. These are the formulas we’d buy again, stash in our desk drawers, or gift to fellow winter survivors. (Popped in handy little categories so you can look for your skin concern).
Gentle Everyday Cleanse
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, from $12.39
Our budget-conscious editor swears by this as her morning and night go-to. The lotion-like texture doesn’t foam, but melts makeup and daily grime without making her skin feel squeaky or tight. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid keep skin calm and hydrated—no redness, no post-wash itch. It’s the kind of cleanser you can use twice a day without thinking, and it plays nicely with every serum or cream we’ve paired it with.
The smoothest of starts
Alpha-H Illuminating Enzyme Polish, $64.95
Tested by our “I hate harsh scrubs” editor, this became an instant favourite. The cream is plush, almost cushiony, with micro-fine crystals so gentle you don’t feel like you’re scratching at your skin. Papaya and pineapple enzymes quietly nibble away at the dead layer, while the base leaves you feeling hydrated rather than stripped. We found it especially good for prepping skin before a big event — makeup sits more evenly, highlighter actually highlights instead of catching on dry bits, and there’s an immediate brightness that makes you look like you’ve had a long weekend in the sun.
Bright mornings & future-proofing
Airyday Peptide Powerhouse, $49, Golden Glow Dreamscreen SPF 50, $53
Our SPF purist — the one who never skips sunscreen, even on overcast days — layered Peptide Powerhouse first. It’s silky, sinks in instantly, and leaves skin feeling just a touch firmer without that “film” you sometimes get from peptide products. Then came Golden Glow Dreamscreen: lightweight, subtly tinted, and with a flattering warm hue that lifts dull winter skin. One team member wore this on a cloudy, cold Sunday, skipped foundation entirely, and still got compliments on her “healthy” skin. The combination means you’re getting both long-term support (collagen-boosting peptides) and daily insurance (SPF 50) in a routine you’ll happily keep into spring and beyond.
Barrier boosters
Mecca Cosmetica 20% Panthenol Skin Barrier Repair Lotion, $79, Lip De Luscious SPF 20, $32
Panthenol is the unsung hero of winter skin, and at 20%, this lotion is no token gesture. Our sensitive-skin editor applied it after cleansing at night and woke up to calmer, less blotchy cheeks. The lotion is velvety without being greasy — perfect under SPF during the day too. As for Lip De Luscious, it’s been passed around our desks like office contraband. The texture is rich but not sticky, with just the right amount of sheen, and the vanilla scent makes it genuinely addictive to reapply. The SPF 20 is the quiet bonus—you forget it’s there, but your lips thank you later.
Oils aka the dry patch whisperers
Kit Skinkind Face Oil, $42
Oils can divide a team—some love them, some run at the thought of shine—but this one converted everyone. It’s a silky blend that presses into skin instead of sitting on top, leaving no greasy halo on your pillow. Our combination-skin tester found it ideal for sealing in her night cream without causing breakouts, and our dry-skin editor liked mixing a drop into her morning moisturiser for an all-day glow. The subtle, almost herbal scent feels grounding, and it’s the kind of product you end up reaching for intuitively when your skin feels tight.
L’Occitane Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum, from $119
A golden two-phase formula that feels indulgent to apply. The packaging alone feels special, a sleek glass bottle with a dropper that dispenses just the right amount of the glowing amber-hued oil-serum hybrid. The texture? Imagine a silky elixir that melts effortlessly into skin, leaving behind a subtle satin finish that’s neither greasy nor heavy. Our dullness-prone editor noticed she woke up with more even tone and that subtle “I just had a facial” softness.
The pinnacle of luxury creams
Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 Anti Aging Moisturiser, $215
This is the moisturiser we all took turns hoarding (but I won it for keepsies after the trial time was over). It’s the kind of cream you open and instantly know you’re in luxury territory—the texture is dense yet somehow airy, melting in without stickiness. I found I got instant relief from windburned cheeks, while our more combination-skinned member found it balanced enough to wear in the day without feeling heavy. After two weeks of use, the consensus was unanimous: skin looked plumper, felt smoother, and had that indefinable “luxe” glow. This isn’t just moisturiser; it’s a whole mood—the skincare equivalent of slipping into a cashmere robe.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream, $189
The thick, balm-like texture surprised even our richest-cream-loving editor. It takes a moment to work into skin, but once it does, it feels like you’ve put your face in a hydration cocoon. Packed with retinol, plant stem cells, and oils, it’s designed for serious overnight repair — we found it especially good after days in harsh wind, when skin feels parched and slightly raw. Our tester woke up to a softness that made foundation almost optional. It’s heavy, yes, but in the best “deep winter” way.
Budget barrier squad
BYOMA Skincare Range, all $30 or under
- Creamy Jelly Cleanser: Soft, bouncy texture that lifts off makeup and grime without leaving your face tight. Even our waterproof mascara fan got a clean rinse without irritation.
- Hydrating Serum: Lightweight, instantly absorbed, and genuinely makes skin look a little juicier within minutes. Works perfectly under makeup.
- Moisturising Rich Cream: Dense enough to comfort winter skin, but still sits well under SPF and foundation.
- Balancing Face Mist: Kept on our desks for that 3pm “I need hydration and maybe coffee” slump. Revives makeup and makes skin feel freshly moisturised.
- Liptide Lip Mask: A silky, overnight lip rescue that feels far more luxe than the price tag. Our night owl swears it keeps her lips smooth through marathon Netflix sessions.
The whole range has that quiet reliability you want from winter skincare — no surprises, no irritation, just steady, all-day comfort at prices that let you use them generously.
Night shift repair crew
No7 Future Renew Repair Night Serum, $67.99
Our tester with post-winter dullness loved this for nights she didn’t want heavy creams. It sinks in almost instantly, leaving a satin finish rather than a tacky layer. After a fortnight, she noticed her skin tone looking more even and texture slightly smoother—the kind of subtle improvement that makes you want to keep using it. It’s also the perfect serum to slip in between heavier products without overloading.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, $48, Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask, $49
The Water Sleeping Mask is the skincare equivalent of leaving a humidifier on—you wake up to plump, refreshed skin, no matter how low the heater was set overnight. Yours truly always keeps it by her bed for a quick, lazy-night layer. The Eye Sleeping Mask has a cool, bouncy gel texture; and I keep this one in the fridge— I swear by it for post-wine puffiness. Both slot effortlessly into existing routines without overcomplicating things.
For stubborn winter breakouts
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Azelaic Acid AZ Gel Creme, $69.95
Our breakout-prone team member keeps this on hand year-round, but it’s particularly good in winter when skin can’t handle aggressive treatments. The lightweight gel creme moisturiser zeroes in on problem spots without leaving the surrounding skin dry or flaky. She applied it to a hormonal chin cluster one evening; by morning, redness was down and makeup applied without caking.
Treat your body just as well as your face
Paula’s Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA, $50
We gave this to our “I forget about body care” colleague, and she came back raving about her legs — smoother, softer, and less prone to itching under tights. The 10% AHA does the exfoliating invisibly, so there’s no scrubbing, no flakes, just improved texture in a week.
Daily comfort creams
Urban Jungle Creme De La Creme, $46
Whipped texture, light enough for oilier skins but still hydrating for dry patches. Our city commuter likes that it doesn’t make her T-zone shiny halfway through the day.
Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Recovery Cream (Face & Body), $49
Thick enough to soothe windburn yet comfortable enough for the face. Multiple team members used this on hands, elbows, and cheeks — the hyaluronic acid and B5 combo works everywhere.
The 15-Minute Glow-Up
Mecca Cosmetica Future Face Hydrogel Mask, from $13
This mask is the office pre-event secret weapon. It hugs the face like cling film, delivering a cooling, drenching hydration hit that leaves skin looking glassy and smooth. I wore it while answering emails and took it off to skin that looked more awake than my coffee could manage.
Final thoughts:
We’ve tried and argued over every formula here, and the verdict is unanimous: winter skin survival is about consistency, barrier care, and a mix of indulgence and practicality. Whether you splurge on Skinceuticals or stockpile BYOMA, each of these has earned a place in our collective kit—and will see you through spring with your winter ravaged skin repaired and intact.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
