The secrets to preventing dry fall skin, according to dermatologists

"This Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream hydrates for 48 hours," says board certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian. "It's formulated with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, niacinamide and panthenol that work to improve the resilience of sensitive skin." 

Cetaphil's affordable cream is the perfect budget-friendly face moisturizer for fall and winter. It's made with the brand's HydroSensitiv Complex, a combination of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin B5 and vitamin E — a good checklist of ingredients you want in an ultra-hydrating cream. For those with sensitive skin, niacinamide does a great job of soothing, but we like how there's also blue daisy extract — this pretty, flower-bearing plant has antioxidant benefits that help with redness and discomfort.

This fast-absorbing, highly moisturizing cream repairs and hydrates while remaining gentle enough for sensitive skin and also fragrance free. It's especially good for slathering on itchy dry winter legs: the non-greasy formula won't make you feel slippery and weird in pants or tights.  

"I like Eucerin Advanced Repair because it contains so many hydrating ingredients like ceramide-3, squalene, glycerin, triglycerides, along with other fat-derived ingredients that help repair and protect the skin barrier," explains Palm. 

If you're looking for a 2-in-1 solution that's both expert-approved and affordable, try this CeraVe pick that can be used on both the face and body. "CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains effective moisturizers like hyaluronic acid and ceramides that trap in moisture and prevent evaporation over the skin barrier," says Dr. Angela Lamb, a dermatologist and director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Practice in New York City.

Palm's pick for a potent, moisturizing way to protect your lips is this fragrance-free treatment by La Roche-Posay: "It's a great hydrating shea butter formula that soothes and softens dry lips. It's also great for sensitive skin types," she says.

This brand's formula is legendary for its heavy-duty hydration of even the driest feet. The texture is thick — more balm-like than a standard lotion. It's also unscented and nongreasy, a boon for this area of the body (I despise the sensation of greasy soles).

This salve is particularly good for stubborn cracked heels. It's also hypoallergenic and safe for both sensitive and diabetics' skin. A little goes a long way, and the cream doesn't go bad — this two-pack will last months. 

This ultra-nourishing salve is a favorite of professional makeup artists who often need to remove serious face paint without damaging their (often high-profile) clients' skin. It's filled to the brim with soothing ingredients like chamomile and lavender, and as the (many!) TikTok videos attest, it really works for both cleaning and plumping. 

Oils can be an excellent way to treat dry, flaky skin. This one, by Brooke Shields-approved line Biossance is a particular standout. It's made of 100% pure, dermatologist-recommended squalane oil. It's also non-greasy, absorbs quickly and gives wherever you apply it (face, arms, etc) a seriously pretty, healthy glow.   

I've interviewed approximately 7 million beauty experts in my life. The most honest usually say something along the lines of "You don't need expensive products; high-quality drugstore creams will do." Case in point: A few years ago, legendary beauty guru Jean Godfrey-June told me she uses this rich, all-natural, chamomile and calendula body cream on her face in the winter, that it's the best product she's found for protecting and treating chapped skin. It's also a gentle, non-irritating formula for dry hands, rough heels, scaly elbows or anywhere you might need a hydrating boost. I myself keep a tube by the kitchen sink to use after dishwashing duties. It's the best kind of product in that it's affordable but smells good and feels rich. 

Reviewers call Levoit's Smart Humidifier "the Cadillac of humidifiers," explaining: "I highly recommend. It's powerful, convenient and even a little bit fancy with all its high-tech features... go ahead and treat yourself (and your plants and baby) to a little extra moisture in the air. You won't regret it!"

This fast-working humidifier has loads going for it — it's ultra quiet and easy to clean with zero light emissions (better for sleep). Best of all, it works for 60 hours without needing a refill, which means you'll enjoy seven nights of sleep before needing to haul it over to the sink. 

AquaBliss's wildly well-reviewed shower filter (currently boasting nearly 40,000 5-star reviews on Amazon alone), is both easy to install and promises to "immediately" begin rejuvenating dry, itchy skin and reducing dandruff by filtering chlorinated, chemical ridden water and delivering up a cleaner, less harsh stream. 

"Awesome product," raves one satisfied customer, "Super easy to install, and is wonderful for my hair and skin. Everything feels way softer. Very surprised and impressed by the results. Who knew such a simple change could have such a positive effect on my life?"

Of all the sunscreens I've tested, EltaMD SPF is the most consistently top rated, especially by doctors who recommend a tinted mineral sunscreen like this one, which provides broad-spectrum physical coverage and hydration — and gives your skin a little bright color in the darkest (and palest!) months.

It's also made of natural ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and leaves a smooth finish, even on dry or sensitive skin. 

Like me, you'd possibly forgotten all about Vaseline until a few years ago when the classic, dermatologist-recommended petroleum jelly went viral on TikTok for its use in "slugging" (essentially the last step in your skin care routine, to create a kind of seal for all your other products). Since then, I've used it to target dry, flaky spots on my forehead, to heal chapped skin on my elbows, to prep my legs before applying self tanner and to remove my tween's Halloween makeup.

It's ultra-versatile as not only a winter skin care staple, but a household one too: In a pinch, I've also employed straight-from-the-vat Vaseline to polish boots, remove clothing stains and even — with just a small dab — keep my razors sharp.