As temperatures drop, it’s essential to adjust your skincare regimen to combat the harsh effects of winter. Low humidity and biting cold compromise the skin’s natural barrier, leading to increased dryness, sensitivity, and irritation. A well-crafted winter skincare routine can make all the difference in maintaining healthy, resilient, and radiant skin. This guide will help you navigate the best practices for all skin types, ensuring your skin remains nourished and protected throughout the colder months.
How to Identify Your Skin Type?
Identifying your skin type is the first step in creating a personalised winter skincare routine. This self-assessment helps you choose products that support your skin’s unique needs:
- Normal Skin: Balanced, neither too oily nor too dry, with a smooth texture and natural glow.
- Oily Skin: Shiny, especially on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), with visible pores and a greasy feel.
- Dry Skin: Tight, flaky, and sometimes itchy, lacking both oil (lipids) and moisture (water), appearing dull.
- Sensitive Skin: Easily irritated, red, and reactive to products or environmental changes.
- Mature Skin: Shows signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity.
- Combination Skin: A mix of oily and dry skin, typically oily on the T-zone and dry on the cheeks.
Skin Troubles Common in Winter Months
The harsh combination of cold, wind, and indoor central heating challenges your skin’s moisture barrier [3]. Here are some common skin issues you might face:
- Dryness and Dehydration: Low humidity and cold temperatures rapidly strip the skin of its natural moisture and lipids.
- Compromised Barrier Function: This leads to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), causing persistent dryness.
- Itchiness and Irritation: Harsh winter conditions often exacerbate conditions like eczema or psoriasis, leading to itchy, inflamed skin.
- Flakiness and Dullness: The accumulation of dead skin cells and lack of moisture cause skin to become flaky and appear dull.
- Increased Sensitivity: Skin can become more sensitive and reactive due to a weakened protective barrier.
Winter Skin Care Routine Steps for Every Skin Type
The core principle for a winter routine is to prioritize gentle cleansing and intensive hydration for all skin types.
Step 1: Cleanser (The Gentle Start)
Switch to gentler, non-stripping formulas to protect your skin’s lipid barrier. Use lukewarm water to wash your face, as hot water strips natural oils [3].
Step 2: Toner (Balance and Prep)
Toners should be used to re-balance the skin’s pH and deliver an initial layer of hydration. Avoid alcohol-based toners entirely in winter.
Step 3: Serum (Targeted Treatment)
Use serums to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients to address specific concerns while boosting overall moisture.
- Pigmentation & Brightening: Look for Vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant), Niacinamide, or Licorice Extract to help brighten and even out skin tone.
- Blemishes & Acne: Opt for serums with Salicylic Acid or a gentle retinoid to exfoliate pores and reduce inflammation. Always layer with a robust moisturizer when using active treatments.
- Dryness & Fine Lines: Serums with high concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, or Peptides provide intense hydration and support the skin barrier.
Step 4: Moisturizer (The Winter Essential)
This is the most critical step. Switch from summer lotions to richer, more occlusive creams or ointments to seal in moisture and repair the barrier [1].
Step 5: Sunscreen (Year-Round Protection)
- UV radiation is present and damaging even on cloudy, cold days, and snow can reflect up to 80% of UV rays [3].
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
- Apply as the final step in your morning routine, after moisturizer.
- Reapply every 2 hours if spending extended periods outdoors.
Step 6: Eye Cream
- The skin around the eyes is thin and highly susceptible to dehydration.
- Use a cream with hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, or Peptides.
- Gently apply using your ring finger (the weakest finger) to tap the product around the orbital bone, avoiding pulling the delicate skin.
Step 7: Lip Balm
- The lips lack oil glands and chap easily.
- Choose a lip balm with occlusive ingredients like petrolatum, beeswax, or shea butter to create a protective seal.
- A lip balm with SPF is recommended for daytime.
- Apply frequently throughout the day and use a thicker layer at night for intensive repair.
Additional Winter Skin Care Tips
Optimise your routine and lifestyle to support your skin’s health during winter:
- Mind the Temperature: Avoid hot showers and opt for lukewarm water to prevent stripping the skin of its essential natural oils [3].
- Humidify Your Air: Use a humidifier indoors to counteract the drying effects of central heating, which can dramatically reduce air moisture.
- Seal in Moisture: Apply your moisturizers or body oils on damp skin immediately after bathing to trap existing moisture and enhance deep hydration.
- Be Gentle with Exfoliation: Reduce the frequency of exfoliation (once a week is often sufficient) and use only gentle chemical exfoliants (like AHAs) or very fine physical exfoliants to avoid irritating a weakened barrier [2].
- Layer Key Ingredients: Incorporate humectants (e.g., Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin) to draw in moisture, and follow with emollients/occlusives (e.g., Shea Butter, Ceramides, Petrolatum) to lock it in.
Conclusion
Maintaining healthy skin during the winter requires a thoughtful and tailored approach. By switching to richer, hydrating products, using gentle cleansers, being mindful of exfoliation frequency, and committing to year-round sun protection, you can successfully combat the drying effects of cold weather. Moisturizing immediately after bathing is the single most effective habit to keep your skin nourished, hydrated, and resilient throughout the winter months.
FAQs
How often should I moisturise my skin in winter?
You should moisturize at least twice a day (morning and night), and especially within minutes of bathing or showering to lock in hydration and protect against winter dryness.
Can I skip sunscreen during winter if it’s cloudy?
No. UV rays penetrate clouds and can still damage your skin in winter. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily regardless of the weather.
What’s the best cleanser for dry skin in winter?
A cream- or milk-based, sulfate-free cleanser is ideal for dry skin, as it cleanses gently without stripping the skin’s natural oils.
How can I prevent chapped lips during winter?
Apply a hydrating and occlusive lip balm frequently throughout the day, ensuring you use a thick layer before bed to maximize overnight repair.
Is exfoliating necessary in winter?
Yes, but you must reduce the frequency and use gentle exfoliants (like AHAs or mild enzymes) only once a week to remove dead skin without irritating or drying your skin’s already stressed barrier.
References
[1] Kim, S., Ly, B. K., Ha, J. H., Carson, K. A., Hawkins, S., Kang, S., & Chien, A. L. (2022). A consistent skin care regimen leads to objective and subjective improvements in dry human skin: investigator-blinded randomised clinical trial. The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 33(1), 300–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2020.1751037
[2] Goh, C.-L., Wu, Y., Welsh, B., Abad-Casintahan, M. F., Tseng, C.-J., Sharad, J., Jung, S., Rojanamatin, J., Sitohang, I. B. S., & Chan, H. N. K. (2023). Expert consensus on holistic skin care routine: Focus on acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and sensitive skin syndrome. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 22(1), 45–54. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.15519
[3] Cold weather and your skin. (n.d.). Aad.Org. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Retrieved July 4, 2025, from https://www.aad.org/news/cold-weather-and-your-skin