'The $22 product that's saved my skin this winter.'

My skin used to freak out every winter. We're talking tight, flaky, irritated, can't-even-smile-without-cracking kind of dry. But not anymore.

As a beauty writer with over 11 years of experience, I've tried my fair share of moisturisers, serums, balms and masks. Some helped a bit. Most just sat on my skin, clogged my pores and left me looking like I'd dipped my face in a bucket of oil. And out of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of products I've tested, only a select few have actually lived up to the hype — and kept my skin calm and hydrated through the coldest months.

WATCH: Juna Xu tries the viral lip liner hack. Post continues below.

When it comes to winter skincare, I have a strict checklist: it has to be ultra-hydrating (obviously), non-comedogenic, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and capable of keeping my face soft and soothed even when the weather's working against me. Oh, and it has to be affordable, or at least worth the splurge.

So, because I don't believe in gatekeeping good skincare, I'm sharing my very concise list of holy-grail winter products. If your skin goes full desert-mode every winter (or at any time during the year), these products just might change everything.

The best winter moisturisers to buy in Australia. 

ZEROID Intensive Cream 80ml, $53.50. 

Image: Amazon.

There's a good chance you've never heard of this brand. I hadn't either — until I found myself in a celebrity dermatologist's clinic in Seoul earlier this year, desperately seeking help for my poor, inflamed skin barrier. Her recommendation? The Zeroid Intensive Cream MD. I started using it that night… and I kid you not, my skin was completely repaired within a week.

The bad news is that this exact product still isn't available in Australia, which I only realised when I was cutting open the tube to scrape out the last dollops of cream. But after some frantic Googling, I found a few of the brand's other products on Amazon — including the Zeroid Intensive Cream (no MD). And honestly? It's basically the same thing.

In case you're not familiar, Zeroid is a premium K-beauty brand created by dermatologists, designed specifically for sensitive, dry, irritated or compromised skin. It's all about barrier repair, deep hydration and soothing. According to the brand, this particular cream has been clinically shown to improve the skin barrier by 2.5 times in a single use, boost hydration by a whopping 478 per cent, reduce flakiness by 99 per cent and provide 120 hours of moisturisation. 

It's free from 10 known irritants, is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic — meaning it won't clog your pores or break you out. It's perfect for day and nighttime use if you have dry or reactive skin, but if you're on the oily side, I'd suggest using it at night only and going for something lighter during the day.

Now, if someone could convince more Aussie retailers to start stocking the full Zeroid range… that'd be great. Otherwise, I guess I'll have to book another trip to Korea. What a shame… 

Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream 50ml, $31.95 (usually $65)

Image: Lila Beauty.

You know those viral overnight collagen masks that turn transparent after a few hours and leave you with the glowiest glass-like complexion in the morning? Well, this product is that, but just in a jelly form. And it's way more comfortable to sleep in.

The dermatologist-tested, silicone-free formula is packed with 98 per cent hydrolysed collagen and hyaluronic acid to smooth uneven texture, plump fine lines and firm skin in just 24 hours.

You can definitely wear it during the day, too, but just be mindful that it leaves a slightly tacky finish, so it might not play well under heavy makeup. But as a nighttime treatment? It's magic.

Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream 50ml, $32.50 (usually $45). 

Image: Lila Beauty.

The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream has quietly built a cult following in the skincare world — and for good reason. It's one of those rare multitasking gems that actually does what it claims, offering serious relief for irritated, acne-prone and barrier-compromised skin.

The numbers in its name aren't just for show — they each represent a different skincare role: three ingredients to tackle blemishes, four to deeply nourish and five to calm and soothe. Together, it creates a little symphony of 12 powerful yet gentle ingredients that leave your skin feeling… well, relieved.

On top of that, the formula is loaded with hydrating propolis and botanical flower extracts, as well as antioxidant-rich Centella Asiatica. This ingredient is known for everything from speeding up wound healing and calming breakouts to balancing oil production and softening fine lines. (If you don't find it hydrating enough, definitely try the 147 Barrier Cream version).

To make it extra friendly for sensitive skin (hello, @ me), the cream is free from artificial colours and fragrances, certified vegan and EWG Green Grade-rated, which means it's gentle on both your skin and the planet.

Personally, I love using it as a spot treatment. Think of it like the K-beauty version of the iconic La Roche-Posay Baume B5.

You can read my full review here.

Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Cream 80ml, $38.95 (usually $54). 

Image: Lila Beauty.

Just to put things into perspective, this dermatologically tested and approved cream holds a 4.8 out of 5-star average rating from over 3,600 reviews on Olive Young alone (which, by the way, is FAR from easy to achieve on South Korea's biggest beauty retailer). 

While it was the original formula that made this product one of the most sought-after creams around the world, it's recently been reformulated to make it even gentler, specifically for ultra-sensitive skin types. Now, it's just elite. 

The upgraded version offers 120 hours of long-lasting hydration, visible barrier repair within 10 minutes, a 242 per cent improvement in external skin moisture, a 365 per cent boost to inner skin hydration and a 51 per cent improvement in overall skin sensitivity. 

And the best part? A single tube will easily see you through the colder months — and beyond. 

S. Nature Aqua Squalene Moisturising Cream 60ml, $27.95 (usually $45).

Image: Lila Beauty.

This moisturiser has been hyped across Korea, and only now is it finally getting some well-deserved attention here in the West.

It's one of the most lightweight yet deeply hydrating formulas you'll find, gliding on like silk and leaving behind a soft, eggshell-like finish. What's wild is how moisturising it is without that heavy, sticky feeling — no oil slick or clogged pores. Just plump, bouncy and fresh-looking skin. It even helps control excess sebum and tightens pores, which is a pretty genius combo.

If you're on the hunt for a no-fuss, all-seasons moisturiser that works beautifully under makeup and at night, this is the one. 

Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer 50ml, $28.

Image: Priceline.

I rarely stray from my beloved Korean skincare routine, so when I do make an exception, you better believe it's for something that seriously impressed me.

Bubble is an affordable skincare brand you can pick up from Priceline — but don't let the price tag fool you. Just because it's budget-friendly doesn't mean it skimps on quality. All of their formulas are developed in-house with dermatologists (yep, no outsourcing to generic factories), and this moisturiser is a perfect example of that.

It's packed with simple, skin-loving ingredients like aloe vera juice, vitamin E, avocado oil and hoya lucunosa flower extract to hydrate, soothe and protect, both day and night. The texture is lightweight but nourishing, and literally melts like butter into the skin without leaving any greasy residue.

The wildest part? It feels exactly like a certain viral luxury moisturiser I've tried (one that retails for over $600… I know).

At $28, this is a moisturiser I'd happily repurchase again and again.

Emma Lewisham Supernatural Face Crème Riche 50ml, $148.

Image: Emma Lewisham.

Okay, this one's definitely on the spendier side. But in the spirit of full transparency, I had to include it.

This luxurious moisturiser is basically the Rolls-Royce of face creams. It's packed with 23 high-performing active ingredients that work together like a dream team to mimic your skin's natural repair processes. We're talking up to 72 hours of hydration (yes, even in the dead of winter), support for collagen regeneration, boosted cell turnover and visibly smoother, plumper skin.

Also, once you finish the beautiful tub, you can just buy a refill insert and pop it in.

And if that's not enough to convince you, maybe the hundreds of glowing five-star reviews can.

Have you tried any of the above products? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Feature image: Supplied.