With winter comes the need for a skincare overhaul to keep skin protected from the elements. Winter skin is typically a result of cold outdoor air and indoor heating, and often includes parched or irritated skin. For that reason, a winter skincare routine focuses on hydration and protection to keep skin healthy and glowing.
Customizing a winter skincare routine on a person-by-person basis helps each manage seasonal skin issues. The result is looking and feeling one’s best throughout the winter season.
1. Begin with a Gentle Cleanser for Winter Skincare.
Each skincare routine begins with cleansing, and during winter months, that cleansing needs to be gentle and hydrating. The cold winter air roaming around outside can easily strip skin of its natural oils, making it even drier.
The best options for winter cleansers are cream-based or contain hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera and honey. These keep skin healthy without the tightening and dryness that often come with winter cleansers.
Tip: A foaming cleanser is too harsh for winter skincare routines, so switch to gentler products.
This is why, in winter, I use a hydrating cleanser, and my skin is much softer and smoother because of it. Cleansers should remove makeup and dirt while still leaving the skin’s moisture balance intact.
2. To Moisturize, Add a Hydrating Toner
Toners add a gentle stream of moisture to skin, removing any excess cleanser that may be lingering after washing. Since our skin is usually moisture-deprived in winter, it is best to seek out one that adds moisture rather than just drying everything out.
The best ones for this have glycerin, are made with hyaluronic acid, or contain some rose water, because they’re lovely for dry skin.
It’s great to use a hydrating toner because it adds a layer of moisture and helps the skin absorb the products that follow. I use it every evening after washing my face, and it makes this so much easier for me to do my whole routine.
3. Winter Skincare: Don’t Skip the Serum
Serums are an essential part of any skincare routine, especially in winter when your skin needs that extra boost of hydration. Look for serums that contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it a powerful moisturizer.
- Tip: If your skin is feeling particularly dry, opt for a thicker, oil-based serum that helps lock in moisture and prevent water loss.
When it comes to winter skincare, serums are beneficial for targeting specific skin concerns, such as dryness, dullness, and fine lines. I personally use a hyaluronic acid serum every morning, and it has made a massive difference in keeping my skin plump and dewy throughout the day.
4. Moisturizer: The Heart of Your Skincare Routine
When temperatures drop, your skin needs a heavy-duty moisturizer to stay soft and nourished. The perfect moisturizer for winter should have a rich texture that provides intense hydration without feeling greasy.
Look for moisturizers that contain ceramides, which help restore the skin’s natural barrier and lock in moisture. Shea butter, glycerin, and squalane are also great ingredients for combating winter dryness.
- Tip: If you have oily skin, go for a gel-based moisturizer to avoid feeling weighed down. For dry or sensitive skin, choose a thicker, cream-based moisturizer. Dermatologist‑formulated hydrating toner ideal for dry winter skin, you can check CeraVe’s own Hydrating Toner here.
Personally, I’ve switched to a richer moisturizer in the winter months, and it’s helped my skin stay soft and hydrated all day. I also like to apply a thicker layer at night to help my skin repair and replenish overnight.
For more tips on skincare routines that keep your skin hydrated, check out our post on 7 Life-Saving Skincare Tips for Sensitive Summer Skin – Proven!, where we discuss how to keep your skin nourished in hot climates—great for keeping your skin balanced even in winter.
5. Nighttime skincare routine for hydration
In winter, you should focus more on your nighttime skincare routine. This is the time when the skin repairs, so to help it, use products that restore moisture and support skin regeneration.
To add moisture, a good idea is to apply an overnight mask or a nourishing face oil. If you use rosehip or argan oil, your skin will replenish while you sleep, so it will be soft and glowing when you wake up.
Tip: When you are about to put on an overnight mask, apply it after your regular moisturizer. This will help retain moisture and prevent further loss for the rest of the night.
6. Sensitive Skin Winter Care
The winter months can be particularly aggravating for those with sensitive skin. Dryness, redness, and irritation can come from multiple sources: outdoor cold and wind, and indoor heating. When selecting skin care for this skin type, choose calming, soothing products.
Irritating and fragranced products need to be avoided. In addition, while exfoliating is a good practice, overexfoliating during Winter can aggravate your skin.
For additional tips on skincare for sensitive skin, don’t miss The Ultimate Guide To Dealing With Dry Skin In Cold Climates, which gives you insights on how to tackle dryness and irritation when the weather gets chilly.
During the winter months, I avoid all skin care products that irritate my skin, and my skin is less problematic during this season. I also avoid exfoliation and use skin care products that provide irritation relief, containing ingredients such as chamomile or aloe vera.
7. Sunscreen: Winter and Summer
Sunscreen is just as important in winter as in summer. The risk from winter sun is just as high as that from some summer sun. In winter, always wear a moisturizer with SPF of at least 30, even if there is no sun or clouds in the sky. If you wear makeup, put on sunscreen before applying it.
And of course, apply sunscreen to your lips as well because the sun can burn and cause chapped lips in the winter. Remember to put on sunscreen every day. I have gotten so used to it, I don’t even think about it, but my skin always looks wonderful at the end of the day.
In winter, your skin can become even drier and sensitive. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to help prevent skin damage in the winter:
Drink plenty of water to keep skin healthy and hydrated from the inside.
- Set your water to lukewarm or even cold. Hot water can wash away the skin’s natural oils!
- When central heating is on, it can dry out the air. Restoring the moisture in the air can help.
- These tips will help your skin withstand the hardships of winter.
If you’re looking for more information on skincare for anti-aging, check out our post on Top 10 Tips For Skincare for Anti-Aging You Need to Know, which covers the importance of sunscreen in your skincare routine and how it helps with aging prevention.
Conclusion: Designing Your Ideal Winter Skincare Routine
When it comes to winter, the key to building the ideal skincare routine is to adapt your products for the specific challenges that the colder months bring. Moisturizing, hydrating, and applying sunscreen are all essential to maintaining your skin’s health and radiance during the season.
Ready to optimize your winter skincare routine? Start by streamlining your routine and incorporating the essentials: rich moisturizers, nourishing oils, and hydrating serums. Your skin will appreciate the extra care and attention, and you will leave glowing regardless of how low the temperature gets.
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Do you have any winter skincare tips that you’d like to share? Leave your winter skincare routine and favorite products in the comments. Reach out if you’re having trouble finding the ideal serum or moisturizer, and let’s keep glowing this winter!
