Winter is here, and chances are your skin is already feeling the chill. It might be tempting to stick to the same products you’ve been using all year, but here’s the truth: what worked for your skin in summer or fall probably won’t cut it when temperatures drop. If your face feels tight, flaky, or dry as the weather turns colder, it’s time to refresh your routine—and don’t forget, this includes your body and lips too. They need just as much TLC! So come along and see what you need in your winter skincare routine.
Let’s break it all down so you can prevent the winter uglies and keep your skin hydrated and glowing all winter long.
What Happens to Your Skin in Winter?
Lets just be real, winter is rough on our skin. The cold air outside and dry heat inside is the ultimate double whammy, zapping moisture and leaving our skin dehydrated and irritated. On top of that, harsh winds and lower humidity weaken your skin’s protective barrier, making it harder to hold onto moisture. Which then can lead to sensitivity, redness, and those dreaded dry patches (my actual enemy- especially when its my under eyes!) .
And here’s the thing: it’s not just your face that suffers. Your body and lips face the same challenges. Chapped lips, cracked heels, or itchy, flaky skin on your arms and legs? Yep, that’s all part of the winter struggle…and probably why most pf us just want to hibernate until summer (well thats me anyway). But heres the thing, if you want to feel good from head to toe, it’s important to update your entire skincare routine—not just the products you use on your face.
Why Adjust to a Winter skincare?
The simple answer is that winter changes your skin’s needs. Cold air has less moisture, so your skin loses water faster, meaning our faces become drier and more sensitive; and this is particularly true when we aren’t using the right products.
If you’re still using lightweight moisturisers or skipping out on body care, now’s the time to change things up. The goal isn’t to toss your entire routine; it’s to swap in products that give your skin the hydration and protection it needs this time of year. So if your trying to beat the winter uglies , buckle up and lets see what we can do.
How to Transition to a Winter Skincare Routine
Switching up your routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small and focus on hydration and protection—for your face, body, and lips.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate:
For your face, layer a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin under a richer moisturiser to lock in hydration. My favourite universal hydrating serums (gentle and acne skin friendly) are the Mixsoon Glacier Water Hyaluronic Acid Serum , Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner and for more drier skin types IUNIK Beta-Glucan Serum. Don’t stop there—invest in a body lotion or cream with similar ingredients. Shea butter, ceramides, and oils can do wonders for dry legs, arms, and even hands. Beauty Pies Super Healthy Skin is superior ! if your after something more lightweight and fast absorbing but still nourishes the skin then the Bioderma Atoderm Cream Ultra Moisturiser is perfect.
Don’t Forget Your Lips:
Your lips are one of the most vulnerable areas in winter because the skin is thinner and lacks oil glands to keep them naturally moisturised. Use a thick, nourishing lip balm with ingredients like beeswax or lanolin – I recommend the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick. Its super moisturising and has SPF which we love! Reapply throughout the day, especially before heading outside. At night, try layering a lip mask to wake up with softer lips.
Gentle Cleansing is Key:
Harsh cleansers can strip your skin, making dryness worse. If your not using one already, Switch to an oil-based cleanser for your first cleanse and then a creamy cleanser for your second. My universal favourites for all skin types are the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil and the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser but check out my blog (here) to see the best cleansers based on your skin type.
Upgrade Your Exfoliation Game:
Over-exfoliating in winter can do more harm than good. Use gentler exfoliants, such as a PHA like The Inkey List PHA Toner instead of an AHA OR BHA for your face is much less irritating and still does the same job. For the body, A mild body scrub or a chemical exfoliant with lactic acid is great for sloughing off dead skin without over-drying.
Protect Your Skin Barrier:
A damaged barrier makes your skin more vulnerable to winter’s harsh elements. Look for a face moisturiser with ceramides, niacinamide, or fatty acids to help repair and protect your skin. My current fav is the Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion – I live for this moisturiser it just brings back nourishment to my dehydrated lifeless face and its perfect under makeup!
I usually use this in the winter and the Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser in the summer as its much more lightweight. Adding oils especially if you have very dry skin can be really beneficial to help protect and hydrate your skin. The Pai Skincare Organic Rosehip Oil is amazing for this. And don’t forget your sunscreen—yes, even in winter! UV rays can still damage your skin, especially when reflected off snow. If your unsure about which sunscreen is right for you, find out more here.
Love Your Under Eyes:
The under-eye area doesn’t produce as much natural oil as other parts of your face, so it’s already prone to dryness. Add in cold air, indoor heating, and the occasional gust of icy wind, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for parched under-eyes. This means if you’re skipping targeted care for this area, your inevitably setting yourself up for irritation, crepey texture, and the worst thing ever, patchy makeup. And although eye creams are controversial, sometimes our moisturiser doesn’t cut it so thats why I recommend using a super hydrating eye cream like Kheils Avocado Eye Cream or even a touch of oil e.g. vitamin e oil or caster oil to help keep them nice and nourished.
Common Winter Skincare Myths—Busted
There’s a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to winter skincare. Let’s clear up a few myths:
- “You don’t need sunscreen in winter.” Totally false. UV rays are present year-round, and snow can reflect sunlight, increasing your exposure. I am the biggest culprit of not wearing sunscreen in the winter but it truly does protect our skin to help prevent any signs of aging and dark spots too.
- “Dry skin is just winter skin” Although its common to get dry skin during the winter (I know I do ) it doesn’t mean that you should just take it as face value and except until winter is over. I suggest less frequent or less harsh exfoliants and doubling up on your moisturiser – focus on building up your skin barrier health.
- “Oily skin doesn’t need extra hydration.” Oily skin can still get dehydrated, especially in winter. Skipping moisturiser can make it worse… and I know this from personal experience so make sure to keep your skin barrier protected!
FAQ: Can I Use My Summer Products in Winter?
Yes and no. Some products, like gentle cleansers or sunscreen, are year-round essentials. But lightweight moisturisers or gel-based serums just might not cut it when to comes to providing enough hydration in winter. Your skin needs richer, more nourishing options to combat the dry air. This is especially true for drier skin types. Personally I have combination skin, however i’m definitely more prone to drier skin during the winter particularly under my eyes so I make sure to have my moisturiser game in check.
Where to Start with Your Winter Routine
Not sure where to begin? Start with the basics like your moisturiser. Evaluate your current products and swap out anything that feels too drying or lightweight for winter. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consulting with a dermatologist or skincare expert can help you figure out your skin’s specific needs.
Let’s Talk Winter Skin
What’s your biggest winter skincare struggle? Are you dealing with dry hands, flaky legs, or chapped lips? Maybe you’ve already found a winter skincare routine that works wonders. Share your experience with me – I’d love to hear what’s been working (or not working) for you!
The Final Takeaway
Winter can be tough on your skin, but it doesn’t have to leave you feeling dry, flaky, or uncomfortable. By tweaking your routine to focus on hydration—for your face, body, and lips—you can stay radiant all season long. Listen to your skin, protect it from the elements, and don’t forget to pamper yourself a little extra this time of year.
Ready to upgrade your winter skincare game? Check out our top picks for winter skincare at TheSelfCareSecrets.com and subscribe for more tips. Stay warm, stay hydrated, and stay glowing!
