Denatured alcohol and fragrance are the worst offenders in winter moisturizers for sensitive skin

In extreme cold, your sensitive skin needs a moisture barrier that doesn’t evaporate or irritate, so you should avoid denatured alcohol, fragrance, essential oils, and high concentrations of hyaluronic acid or glycolic acid.

Here’s the deal: extreme cold already strips your skin. The air is dry, wind is brutal, and your natural oils are fighting a losing battle. You want a moisturizer that forms a thick, greasy seal — think petrolatum, shea butter, oils. Anything