The Best Moisturisers & Primers for a Smooth Winter Base | Hydrated Skin & Flawless Makeup
The Best Moisturisers & Primers for a Smooth Winter Base | Hydrated Skin & Flawless Makeup
Winter can be one of the toughest seasons for your skin cold air, harsh winds and indoor heating strip away moisture, leaving skin dry, flaky, or dull. To create a smooth, radiant base for makeup that lasts all day, your routine should combine deep hydration + smart priming. In this guide, we break down the best moisturisers and primers to help you prep your skin perfectly in the colder months.
Top Moisturisers to Combat Winter Dryness
Hydration is the foundation of a smooth makeup base moisturised skin holds makeup better, looks healthier, and feels softer.
Must-Try Winter Moisturisers
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – A cult classic that delivers long-lasting hydration without clogging pores; perfect for dry and combination skin.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, Face Moisturiser For Women & Men, Suitable for All Skin Types
CeraVe Moisturising Cream – Excellent everyday choice with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to reinforce your skin’s barrier and lock in moisture.
CeraVe Moisturising Cream, Face & Body
Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Hydrator – Gel-cream formula that holds water in the skin for 100 hours, great for dehydrated winter skin.
Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Oil Free Face Moisturiser With Hyaluronic Acid
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – Lightweight yet deeply hydrating; ideal if you prefer gel textures under makeup.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream – A luxe winter staple that smooths texture and primes skin for makeup with a silky finish.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream
Embryolisse Lait – A dermo-favourite for its multitasking abilities moisturises and preps skin for foundation beautifully.
Embryolisse – Lait-Crème Concentré
Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream – K-beauty gem with nourishing traditional botanicals perfect for sensitive, dehydrated skin.
Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream
UpCircle Face Moisturiser with Argan Powder – This deeply hydrating face moisturiser nourishes the skin, leaving it supple and hydrated. Formulated to suit both women and men skin types.
UpCircle Face Moisturiser with Argan Powder
- SUITABLE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES INCLUDING SENSITIVE AND OILY SKIN: Suitably moisturising without being heavy, this cream sinks into the skin nicely making it a perfect daytime moisturiser. Gentle enough for twice daily use (morning and night) without causing dryness or irritation.
- NATURAL, ORGANIC, VEGAN AND CRUELTY-FREE: This daily use moisturiser is 100 per cent vegan, cruelty-free and UK-made. Housed in a glass jar with an aluminium lid for fully recyclable packaging.
Best Primers for a Flawless Winter Makeup Base
Primers smooth imperfections, lock in hydration, and help foundation glide on evenly crucial when the skin is dry or flaky.
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer – Top-rated budget favourite with hyaluronic acid that grips makeup and keeps skin hydrated all day.
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer
- HOW TO USE: Apply evenly to face before make-up using your fingertips to pat into skin. The warmth of your fingers will help the product melt into skin for an even application. Allow 30 seconds to set before applying make-up. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.
- VEGAN & CRUELTY-FREE: e.l.f. stands with every eye, lip, face, paw and fin. Proudly vegan, e.l.f. is double-certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny & PETA.
LAURA GELLER Skin Perfecting Primer – A luxurious option that provides radiance and moisture while blurring pores.
LAURA GELLER Skin Perfecting Primer
- PERFECT FOR DRY TO NORMAL SKIN TYPES: Free of synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates. Cruelty free. Clear formula can be worn with or without makeup. Even mature skin will be able to achieve perfect skin texture in a flash with these hard-working primers, which have earned the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition.
- EASY TO APPLY: Add one to two pumps on the back of your hand. Blend a thin layer onto clean skin before makeup application. For best results, allow the formula to dry for about one minute to fully absorb before applying the rest of your makeup.
Maybelline New York Grippy Serum Makeup Primer – Hydrating and smoothing, perfect for dry zones and extended wear.
Maybelline New York Grippy Serum Makeup Primer
- Meet Grippy Serum, a makeup grip primer, With an ultra-blendable formula and Serum-To-Grip technology, helping your makeup last up to 24 hours, Just drip, glide, grip!
- The water-based serum primer has a fresh sensorial feel that does not feel greasy or leave any white cast, Suitable for all skin types, you can layer with makeup, instantly plumping and hydrating skin
- Apply the primer evenly to your face using the dropper, then pat it into the skin using your fingertips, Wait just 20 seconds for the serum-to-grip transformation to occur before applying makeup
- Formulated with Serum-To-Grip Technology as well as 2% Niacinamide, helping the formula to grip makeup easily whilst still hydrating the skin for 24 hours
Este Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow – A glow-boosting watery primer packed with hydrating agents – ideal for dull winter skin.
Este Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow
- Immediately triples skin’s moisture for a visibly healthy look
- This refreshing gel-cream primer bursts into micro-size water droplets and smooths skin for beautiful makeup application
- Strengthens skin’s barrier to lock in moisture and help protect against environmental stressors.
ICONIC London Prep-Set-Glow Primer – Silky texture that blurs fine lines and creates a flawless base.
ICONIC London Prep-Set-Glow Primer
This stunning multi-use spray can be used to prep the skin before applying make-up, set a finished look or add a radiant gloss to a bare face and it’s 100% Vegan.
This wonder spray has extracts of cucumber and chamomile which will give you a stand out gloss. If that isn’t enough its also rich in Antioxidants, Green Tea and Vitamin E which helps to condition your skin and not forgetting caffeine which can aid in combatting dark circles around your eyes. This hero product is going to leave your skin revitalised and glowing.
Maybelline Poreless Jelly Blurring Primer – High-street gem with niacinamide and glycerin to plump and prep.
Maybelline Poreless Jelly Blurring Primer
- This silicone-free primer with niacinamide blurs pores, Extends makeup wear, Provides 24-hour hydration with a weightless and fresh feel
- Apply a generous amount on fingers, Apply evenly all over face, Allow a few seconds to dry before applying makeup, Apply face makeup for extended wear or wear the Primer on its own
- Formulated with 2% niacinamide and without silicones, Non comedogenic
Clarins SOS Primer – A classic hydrating primer that softens dry patches and preps the skin beautifully.
Clarins SOS Primer
Pro Tips for a Smooth Winter Base
1. Start with Clean, Hydrated Skin
Use a gentle cleanser followed by a rich moisturiser winter air compromises the skin barrier, so locking in moisture is key.
2. Layer Wisely
Apply your moisturiser first. Let it absorb fully before your primer and foundation this prevents pilling and uneven texture.
3. Match Products to Your Skin Needs
If your skin is very dry, reach for richer creams like Embryolisse or Charlotte’s Magic Cream; if it’s combination, lighter gels like Hydro Boost work beautifully.
4. Pick Primers with Hydrating Ingredients
Choose primers containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide or squalane these help keep dryness at bay while prepping skin for makeup.
Conclusion
Winter skin deserves more care and the right combination of moisturiser and primer can make all the differencebetween dry, patchy foundation and a radiant, smooth base that lasts all day. The products above blend hydration, texture refining and makeup-ready prep, helping you conquer cold weather and still look flawless.
