Winter is here and the colder weather can have some major effects on our skin. Much like protective styling is vital for our hair, we have to have a system in place to protect our skin. Moisturizing your skin is very crucial in the winter and most times, it requires us to switch up our products and use something a bit heavier and equipped to protect us from the cold and other elements.
In addition to sunscreen and serums, you need to have a good moisturizer in place, here are five great moisturizers that will help your skin conquer this winter:
Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Moisturizer, $14+
Writer Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
You can't go wrong with a thick cream-based moisturizer. The Nubian Heritage African Black Soap moisturizer is great for protecting your skin in the winter. It's a thick moisturizer that feels lightweight and leaves your skin feeling very moisturized without being greasy. It also makes your face feel very soft and it smells amazing. The only downside is that it does not include sunscreen, which isn't a big deal. You can mix it with your favorite sunscreen and it won't interfere with how it works.
This moisturizer is good for both day and night time, as well as for all skin types.
e.l.f.’s Daily Hydration Moisturizer, $8
Writer Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
I have to say for the price, it's a steal. I paid about $8 for this moisturizer and it has an amazing fresh scent — it's soft, pleasant, and clean. The scented daily moisturizer is made with natural ingredients like purified water, jojoba oil, aloe, vitamin E, and cucumber.
The bottle recommended using a small amount however, I would use about two to three full pumps (if you have oily skin you may want to use less). When I used three full pumps, the moisturizer melted into my skin and gave me a beautiful natural glow. My face felt moisturized and smooth, it definitely did better than I expected. I would highly recommend for my beauties on a budget.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, $16+
Writer Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
This is my first time trying a water gel and I did notice that there was a slight difference between the gel and the cream moisturizer. The gel moisturizer allows your skin to absorb moisture much quicker.
As far as the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, I think it's best for people with oily skin, although it works fine for those who have combination/normal skin. I also think it would work for those who have dry skin, however, I do recommend either using a serum along with this gel or purchasing the Hydro Boost for extra dry skin. I used this gel for about a month and I noticed that it instantly moisturized, soothed, and softened my face. The gel is very lightweight and non-comedogenic, so it doesn't clog your pores. You can use this moisturizer at any time of the day; I usually use it in the morning along with the Neutrogena sunscreen and go about my day.
I wouldn't say this gel gives you a lot of glow, but it does brighten your skin and acts as a primer for your makeup.
Shea Moisture’s Bamboo Charcoal Hydrating Gelee Moisturizer, $11+
Writer Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
The Bamboo Charcoal Hydrating Gelee Moisturizer is made with African Black soap, bamboo charcoal, and aloe. Not only is this mixture good for moisture, but it can reduce the appearance of dark spots and acne.
This product is for people who experience frequent breakouts, however, if you have dry skin I won't recommend it. Depending on how dry your skin tends to get, it may not give you all the moisture you need. If you have oily, normal, and combination acne-prone skin, then this is perfect. It hydrates, soothes, and treats your skin; if used twice a day, you can see results in about 2-3 weeks.
Olay Total Effects 7 In 1, $7+
Writer Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
This moisturizer is on the pricey side for a drugstore moisturizer, but is still a good price for a skin care product. There's a lot of hype around this Olay moisturizer, so I purchased the trial size to see if it really works. I do think it's worth the hype, especially for the winter. It hydrates your skin, fights dry and aging skin, and it also includes SPF 15. This is a good product to get if you want one product that gives your skin what it needs.
The fragrance-free lightweight moisturizer is good for all skin types and adds a beautiful glow to your skin. To me, this is your everything in one product, and you don't need to use multiple products to get your desired look and achieve proper skin health (aside from cleansers and toners). I think it's worth the money, but what works for me may not work for you. I recommend trying the trial size first to see how you like it. A little goes a long way for this product and the smaller size should last for 1-2 months (depending on use).
What are some of your favorite tried and true winter skincare staples? We want to know in the comments below!
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Here are some of my favorite takeaways from three standout panels featuring Jordan Chiles, Marsai Martin, and Kandi Burruss.
Leveling Up Your A-Game with Jordan Chiles, Morgan Shaw Parker, Chelsea Fishman, Laura Correnti, and Tabitha Turner-Wilkins
Jordan Chiles
Paras Griffin/ Getty Images for Power Play
Olympic gymnast Jordan may have medals and magazine covers to her name, but her mindset is refreshingly grounded. “The day I finally feel pressure,” she said, “will be the day I know there’s still more for me to learn.” For her, joy—not pressure—is the fuel. Her confidence isn’t performative; it’s rooted in family, self-worth, and authenticity.
“Everything I’ve done in my career—tattoos, long nails, rocking my crew at the Olympics—that’s all me. It’s not because someone told me to do it. It’s because I felt confident doing it. And that’s where my ambition comes from: being my authentic self.”
For Morgan Shaw Parker, President & COO of the Atlanta Dream, the conversation around pressure went even deeper. “Legacy work” is how she described her mission—navigating male-dominated spaces, sometimes pregnant and pumping on NFL team planes. “After COVID and George Floyd,” she shared, “it became clear to me: vulnerability is power. You don’t have to show up perfect to lead.”
Chelsea Fishman, founder of Atlanta's first bar dedicated to women’s sports, Jolene Jolene, shared how the haters (especially the Reddit kind) were her confirmation: “All those comments saying it would fail—those were the signs that I was doing something right.” She’s hosted 25+ watch parties already and is building the very community they said would never come.
This panel also touched on ambition, authenticity, and owning your power—both in sneakers and in suits. One of the best mic-drop moments came when the moderator flipped the question: “What if we stopped making ‘power’ a bad word for women?” A nod-worthy reminder that we’re not here to play small.
Making Your Voice Heard with Marsai Martin, Carol Martin, Miss Milan, and Heather McMahan
Marsai Martin
Paras Griffin/ Getty Images for Power Play
This panel was a masterclass in staying grounded while growing up—or glamming up—on the global stage. Actress and producer Marsai talked about what it’s like to show up in high-pressure moments when your confidence is low but the world is still watching. From red carpets to long shoot days, she reminded us that even when you’re not at 100%, you still find a way to push through.
“There have been days where I wasn’t feeling the best, but I still had to show up on this carpet. Or it was that time of the month, but I still had to go on set. I just didn’t feel as confident—but it’s about how you take care of yourself in those moments and still keep pushing.”
Her mom and business partner Carol Martin dropped gems about motherhood and mentorship: “It’s like teaching your kid to ride a bike over and over again. Now the bike is a movie or a brand.” That balance between guiding and letting go? Not easy—but essential when you’re raising a mogul and running a company.
“There have been days where I wasn’t feeling the best, but I still had to show up on this carpet. Or it was that time of the month, but I still had to go on set. I just didn’t feel as confident—but it’s about how you take care of yourself in those moments and still keep pushing.”
Miss Milan, Grammy Award-winning DJ and Doechii’s right-hand woman, lit the crowd up with her no-nonsense energy. “I built my own table,” she said. “When you build it, they can’t tell you you can’t sit.” From journaling her dreams to manifesting Grammys, her story is one of resilience and intention—and a whole lot of faith in her own vision.
This panel didn’t shy away from hard truths either: the sadness that can come with success, the fear of fading relevance, the criticism that hits differently when it’s personal. But Marsai said it best: know your why. And let it evolve with you.
The Cost of Starting Your Own Business with Kandi Burruss and Nikki Ogunnaike
Kandi Burruss
Carol Lee Rose/ Getty Images for Marie ClaireKandi doesn’t sugarcoat the grind. From chart-topping songwriter to multi-business entrepreneur, she’s built her empire one risk—and one reinvention—at a time.
“Fear equals failure. If you don’t even try, you’ve failed automatically —and you did it to yourself. I’d rather take a risk and lose money than play it safe and never know what could’ve happened.”
She broke down the real costs of entrepreneurship: money, time, and emotional bandwidth. “You think you’re going to work less when you work for yourself?” she laughed. “You’re going to work more.” For Kandi, mommy guilt and financial setbacks are part of the package—but so is the satisfaction of seeing an idea through.
She opened up about scaling back on her clothing store and temporarily closing the original Old Lady Gang location. “It felt like failure,” she admitted, “but sometimes you have to step back to make things better.” Still, she’s not one to quit. She just pivots—with precision.
One of her most memorable reflections? How her music career hiccup led her to songwriting—ultimately writing the mega-hit “No Scrubs.” That song became the key to a new lane and legacy. “You may think you’re working on one dream,” she said, “but it could open the door to another.”
Also? Kandi wants you to stop emailing her from a Gmail. “You’re doing million-dollar business on a bootleg budget,” she joked. “Invest in yourself. Start with a domain name!”
The Marie Claire Power Play Summit was a powerful reminder that ambition, authenticity, and vulnerability aren’t separate traits—they work in tandem. Whether you’re building a bar, a brand, or a business from scratch, the key is to stay rooted in your voice, your story, and your why.
And if you need a sign to go for it? Consider this your green light.
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Feature image by Paras Griffin/ Getty Images for Power Play