Blame the flakiness — along with redness and itchiness — on your skin’s barrier layer, which doesn’t retain natural oils or water as well as it should.

Best Regimen: To keep your complexion quenched and healthy, use cleansers and creams with emollient ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Skip foaming face washes, since they strip away lipids, and avoid anything containing harsh retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids, says Fran Cook-Bolden, a dermatologist in New York City. If your skin is very flaky or peeling, try a face oil under your moisturizer — it will smooth out your skin in a flash.

Cleanser

Winner: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, $11.50 at drugstores. It “moisturized beautifully,” thanks to hyaluronic acid and ceramides.

Runner-Up: YSL Softness Cleansing Silky Balm Radiance Revealer, $37.

Moisturizer with SPF

Winner: Hampton Sun Super Hydrating Face Cream SPF 15, $40, www.hamptonsuncare.com. Vitamin-packed protection that left skin “soft and supple.”

Runner-Up: Skin Effects Preventing Effects Lightweight Moisturizing Soufflé SPF 30+, $16.

Moisturizer without SPF

Winner: Biotherm Healthy Difference Moisturizer, $24, www.biotherm-usa.com. The mineral-rich cream with “tons of moisture” also smooths flakes.

Runner-Up: Sephora Brand Face Moisturizing Cream–Dry Skin, $18.

Eye Product

Winner: Boscia Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment, $35, www.sephora.com. Gentle and hydrating, but without feeling slick.

Runner-Up: Borba Silk Fiber Orbital Eye Rejuvenator, $38.

Night Treatment

Winner: Boots No. 7 Moisture Quench Night Cream, $13, www.target.com. So thick and emollient, it cleared up dry patches overnight.

Runner-Up: Shiseido Pureness Moisturizing Gel Cream, $31.

Specialty Product

Winner: Lumene Vitamin C+ Energy Cocktail Intensive Care, $20, www.cvs.com. This vitamin C oil, when used daily under moisturizer, made skin glow.

Runner-Up: Zia Treatments Deep Moisture Repair, $37.