Hi friends!
Well, here it is folks, my last gift guide of the season and it’s all about juicy, hydrating skincare. I’m not sure about you but I still haven’t finished my Christmas shopping yet – eek! So if you’re anything like me, and you’re running around buying up last-minute gifts, and you know someone who loves to self-care, the is the one for you.
I’ve broken up my Skincare Gift Guide for Dry Skin into five broad categories – Cleansers, Face Oil, Serum/Light Moisturizer, Moisturizing Creams, and Eye Creams. We’re in the throes of the harsh coldness that’s typical of late Fall/early Winter here in New York. Grey days, little light, and blustery winds – it all takes a toll on us both mentally and physically, but especially on the skin. So these days I just want to apply those beautiful, luscious creams that will really nourish and calm my parched, irritated skin.
As the title here would suggest, the following recommendations are definitely more geared to those with dry skin, or at least normal skin. That’s simply because I have dry skin myself, so obviously I buy and test products that are suitable for my skin type. However, that being said, some of these brands have different formulas within their line that are more suitable for combo and oily skin. I will point them out as I go. Plus, as usual, I will link any relevant reviews or posts that I’ve written if you’d like to read more detail on any particular product.
And make sure you check back at my gift guides from last week, if you’re more in the mood for color and makeup recommendations. I did a gift guide focusing on really glam makeup, one for fuss-free, natural makeup, and one for cruelty-free and vegan makeup.
Now, enough blathering, let’s get into some amazing skincare!
CLEANSERS
Source: CeraVe / Instagram
CERAVE HYDRATING FACIAL CLEANSER
WHAT MAKES IT EFFECTIVE
- Gently cleans skin with no stinging or harsh sensation
- Leaves skin feeling incredibly soft thanks to ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid
- Best used as second cleanse, as it removes light traces of makeup
- Fragrance-free – approved by National Eczema Association
- CeraVe has other formulas for oily, combo or acneic skin
- SHOP NOW FROM TARGET
Read this: Gentle. Affordable. Let’s talk CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Source: Garnier / Instagram
GARNIER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER
WHAT MAKES IT EFFECTIVE
- Gently cleans skin with no stinging or harsh sensation
- Best used as second cleanse, as it removes light traces of makeup
- Easy and quick to use – no need to wash it off with water
- Fragrance-free
- Different formulas available, including one designed for oily skin
- SHOP NOW FROM ULTA
FACE OIL
Source: Deceim / Instagram
THE ORDINARY 100% ORGANIC VIRGIN CHIA SEED OIL
WHAT MAKES IT EFFECTIVE
- Gorgeous lightweight yet nourishing face and hair oil
- Not greasy & relatively fast-absorbing if you apply 1-3 drops
- Calming to red and irritated skin
- High in alpha-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid, and vitamins & anti-oxidants
- SHOP NOW FROM SEPHORA
Read this: Quick thoughts! The Ordinary Chia Seed Oil
SERUM / LIGHT MOISTURIZER
Source: Clinique / Instagram
CLINIQUE MOISTURE SURGE HYDRATING SUPERCHARGED CONCENTRATE / MOISTURE SURGE 72-HR AUTO-REPLENISHING HYDRATOR
WHAT MAKES THEM EFFECTIVE
- Lightweight yet highly nourishing moisturizers
- No greasiness or weird films left on skin
- All fragrance-free
- Supercharged Concentrate is perfect for a shot of hydration – I use it as a serum
- 72-Hr Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is a tried-and-true hero product for me
- SHOP NOW FROM CLINIQUE
Read this: My speedy skincare routine for dry skin
MOISTURIZING CREAMS
Source: Belif / Instagram
BELIF THE TRUE CREAM MOISTURIZING BOMB / AQUA BOMB
WHAT MAKES THEM EFFECTIVE
- Moisturizing Bomb more suited to normal-to-dry skin
- Beautifully creamy and hydrating with relatively fast absorption
- Aqua Bomb more suited to normal, or combo-to-oily skin
- Super lightweight oil-free gel texture gives lovely hydration with zero greasiness
- SHOP NOW FROM SEPHORA – Moisturizing Bomb
- SHOP NOW FROM SEPHORA – Aqua Bomb
Source: One Ocean Beauty / Instagram
ONE OCEAN BEAUTY REPLENISHING DEEP SEA MOISTURIZER
WHAT MAKES IT EFFECTIVE
- Nourishing but lightweight texture that’s easily absorbed into skin
- Very calming and soothing on skin, leaving zero greasiness
- Contains marine actives that firm, brighten complexion, promote elasticity and reduce wrinkles
- SHOP NOW FROM NET A PORTER
Read this: Quick thoughts! One Ocean Beauty Replenishing Deep Sea Moisturizer
Source: Weleda / Instagram
WELEDA SKIN FOOD, ORIGINAL AND LIGHT
WHAT MAKES THEM EFFECTIVE
- Intensely hydrating and nourishing plant-based formulas
- Best suited for dry-to-very-dry skin
- Original formula is perfect for dry, rough patches on ankles, feet, knees, elbows, etc
- Light formula is perfect for hands and face, or lightly under makeup
- SHOP NOW FROM TARGET – Original formula
- SHOP NOW FROM TARGET – Light formula
Read this: Weleda Skin Food Original vs. Light: Which should you buy?
EYE CREAMS
Source: Fresh website
FRESH ROSE HYDRATING EYE GEL CREAM
WHAT MAKES IT EFFECTIVE
- Luxurious gel cream texture leaves under-eyes intensely hydrated
- Slight cooling sensation upon contact
- Contains rosewater and hyaluronic acid
- SHOP NOW FROM SEPHORA
Source: Glossier / Instagram
GLOSSIER BUBBLEWRAP EYE CREAM
WHAT MAKES IT EFFECTIVE
- Thin-textured cream that’s still quite hydrating
- Easily absorbs into skin with zero greasiness or stickiness
- Contains hyaluronic acid, squalane and avocado oil
- Perfect for teenagers or those starting out with skincare
- SHOP NOW FROM GLOSSIER
Read this: Quick thoughts! Glossier Bubblewrap Eye Cream
What would be on your Skincare Gift Guide? What products do you use to hydrate and nourish your skin? I’d love to know!
xo, Erica
PIN IT!
Yes to all of these! I need them all this time of year. I’m about to switch to the Cerave cleanser!
You won’t be disappointed (she says 😉)!
I’d love to try all the eye creams. I thought I was done Christmas shopping until I realized I forgot to get my brother something. Oops! I’m not sure if he’d like anything from this list, though. 😂
The men in my life have absolutely no use for skincare, except when it comes to taking care of their beards I guess 😁.
Had I known or read this post before buying a few things from Ulta over the weekend, I definitely would have looked into The Ordinary face oil. I couldn’t believe that Ulta had them in-store since I couldn’t find them at Sephora in October. That Glossier eye cream also sounds super fab!
Lastly, the Belif Aqua Bomb is one of the best I have ever tried and I don’t necessarily have dry skin but it was a great moisture boost for my skin both in the summer and winter.
I’m about halfway through The Ordinary and I would definitely, definitely repurchase. Yea, it’s so great they are available now in Ulta! The Glossier is your good standard eye cream if you’re on the younger side and not too concerned with anti-aging ingredients yet. It lasted me forever, like 6 months, so it’s very affordable. I’m obsessed with the Belif moisturizers – so good! I’ve used the Aqua Bomb a few times and it was actually the first one I fell in love with. Then I swapped over to the Moisturizing Bomb when I realized they had something a bit heavier.
I’ll put it on my list for later, lol
Omg same! I loved it since the first time I tried it. It feels so lightweight and it absorbs super quickly. And since it’s so moisturizing, I didn’t need much product. I don’t believe I’ve tried the moisturizing bomb yet, but if it’s heavier I can only imagine how great it might be during the winter 😄
Yea for me the Aqua Bomb is definitely more summer appropriate. But I need something more heavy-duty in the winter for sure.