When people talk about their favorite season, spring and fall get a lot of love. But, honestly, winter is one of the best times of the year.
You’ve got seasonal activities like ice skating and skiing, cozy fashion trends, beautiful snowy landscapes, and all the holiday vibes.
But what do we all collectively not love about winter? Dry skin.
Cold, dry air pulls moisture from our skin, leaving the face tight, flaky, rough, dull, and easily irritated. And, go figure, it’s most noticeable on the face!
If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—we’re here to help. We’re sharing some of our top winter skin health tips for anyone who wants to keep dewy, radiant skin all season long.
Dry Skin on Face in Winter? Here’s How to Keep It Hydrated
Dry skin in winter doesn’t have to be a reality. With the right routine, you can keep your skin hydrated and healthy no matter the weather.
In this post, we’ll cover why skin feels dry in winter, how to prevent it, and our top product picks for nourished, glowing skin.
The weather outside may be frightful, but that doesn’t mean your skin has to be! Let’s talk about the relationship between dry skin and cold weather:
Why Does Skin Get Dry in Winter?
Cool, dry air draws moisture from your skin.
Low humidity causes water to evaporate faster, leaving skin dehydrated and flaky.
Cold temps slow oil production.
Sebaceous glands produce less natural oil in cold weather, weakening your skin barrier and leaving it more vulnerable to dryness.
Hot showers strip away natural oils.
You may crave a hot bath or shower after a day in the cold, but this can do more harm than good. The heat strips your skin of natural oil, damages the skin barrier, triggers inflammation, and actually speeds up dehydration.
Winter winds break down the skin barrier.
Consistent exposure to wind can break down the skin’s protective outer layer, leading to redness, irritation, and increased moisture loss.
Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser.
Cleansing is always an important skincare step. However, when your skin is already irritated due to a lack of moisture and a weakened skin barrier, some cleansers make things worse.
Use a gentle cleanser that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides. These lift away dirt and impurities without pulling natural oils from your skin.
Use multiple moisturizing products.
You need to apply moisturizer in layers—one super-hydrating product isn’t enough. To treat dry skin, use a hydrating cleanser, toner, face oil, moisturizer, and sunscreen. (And yes, you should definitely still be applying your sunscreen in the winter.)
Layering ensures each product can penetrate properly and provide maximum hydration. It also helps lock in moisture for 24-hour hydration, protecting your skin from environmental stressors like cold air and wind.
Focus on the skin barrier.
The skin barrier protects your face from harsh weather, sun exposure, and environmental damage. It also helps retain moisture and allows your skin to repair itself when it’s irritated or compromised.
In winter, maintaining that barrier is essential. Without it, dry, tight, and flaky skin becomes a constant battle. Choose products that are formulated to strengthen and support your skin’s natural defenses.
And, if your barrier is already weak, add a final layer of protection with something like petroleum jelly or beeswax during your evening routine. It helps shield your skin while you work on repairing that outer layer.
Hydrate throughout the day.
In the winter, hydration needs to be an all-day thing. We recommend you reapply moisturizing products every few hours to combat dry skin.
And, yes, it’s possible even if you’re wearing cosmetics. Here’s how to hydrate skin with makeup on, if you need tips and product recommendations.
Exfoliate less.
Most effective skincare regimens include exfoliation 2-3 times a week. However, if you’re battling dry skin in winter, consider cutting back to 1–2 times a week.
When you do exfoliate, skip harsh physical scrubs and opt for gentle chemical exfoliators instead. They help shed dead skin cells, allowing your products to penetrate deeper to give your skin a natural, healthy glow.
Just remember: harsh techniques will destroy the skin barrier, damage the skin, and make dry skin much worse. Keep it gentle and be mindful of frequency.
Avoid hot water.
There’s literally nothing that feels as good as a hot shower after a freezing winter day. Though you may like the heat, your skin doesn’t.
Hot water strips away natural oils and can make chronic dryness much worse. For hydrated, healthy skin, stick with lukewarm water instead.
Sleep with a humidifier.
Winter weather means less humidity. There’s less moisture in the air, so the water in your skin evaporates really quickly.
A good way to combat this is by sleeping with a humidifier. It helps increase the moisture in your room, meaning you get to wake up with happy, hydrated skin.
They even make whole-house humidifiers if you want to get really serious about it. Trust us, the results speak for themselves.
Be smart about hydration.
Topical hydration is essential, but so is internal hydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support your skin from the inside out.
You can maximize your hydration efforts by adding TSC Beauty Salt to whatever you’re drinking. It’s full of mindful ingredients like electrolytes, pearl powder, and colostrum to hydrate deeper and more effectively.
What to Apply on Face in Winter for Dry Skin
Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
This cleanser effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping away moisture. The hyaluronic acid and ceramides help support the skin barrier, too.
Cleanser: Agent Nateur Acid(wash) Lactic Cleanser
This is another good cleanser option. It’s mildly exfoliating and balances the pH of your skin. And why is balancing the pH of your skin helpful, you might ask? It maintains a healthy skin barrier, relieves sensitivity, and supports overall hydration.
Toner: YINA The Essential Face Mist, Hydrator, Toner + Essence
Here’s where the first layer of moisture comes from. This toner is super hydrating! It also calms irritation, balances pH, and preps your skin to absorb other skincare products more effectively.
Exfoliant: Alpha Beta Peel Pads
You don’t want to exfoliate too much in winter. However, when you do exfoliate, use these peel pads. They’re extremely gentle and allow for controlled application, so you can avoid more sensitive areas.
Serum: TSC De-Puffing Face Oil
The TSC Face Oil doesn’t just hydrate, but it nourishes too. It’s packed with antioxidants and other nutrients that restore the moisture barrier, protect the skin, and prevent water loss.
Moisturizer: Bless Beauty Balm
This moisturizer deeply hydrates with jojoba and argan oil, shea butter, and ceramides. It replenishes natural oils and forms a protective barrier to shield the skin from wind and cold.
Moisturizer: Peter Thomas Roth Walter French Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
For multiple levels of hydration built into one skincare product, you can’t go wrong with Water Drench Cloud Cream.
It contains 30% hyaluronic acid along with other humectants, which attracts moisture into the skin. Other strategic ingredients then lock it in and strengthen the skin barrier.
SPF: TSC Caffeinated Sunscreen
You may be thinking, “Do I need sunscreen in the winter?”
YES.
Sun damage doesn’t come from heat—it comes from light. Not only does the sun still shine in winter, but snow can also reflect UV light, making exposure more intense.
Protecting your face from UV light helps prevent dry skin and keeps your face hydrated and healthy.
Shoot for a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and find one with additional nourishing ingredients like the TSC sunscreen. It’s formulated with antioxidant-rich caffeine, protective spirulina maxima extract, moisturizing squalene, and more.
Lip Mask: Lawless Forget The Filler Overnight Lip Mask
Lips don’t have oil glands like your skin, so they rarely stay hydrated on their own. It’s worse in winter as the cold air steals every last bit of moisture.
An overnight lip mask is a must-have addition to your skincare routine. This one has hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and other moisturizing ingredients to keep them plump and hydrated.
Brow Peptide: TSC Brow Peptide
As your skin dries out, you’ll notice your brows looking dull and thin from lack of natural oils. This non-toxic eyebrow serum is full of nutrient-rich peptides that promote thicker, fuller brows.
Winter doesn’t have to mean dry, flaky skin.
By layering hydrating products, protecting your skin barrier, and adjusting your routine to the season, you can keep your face healthy, nourished, and glowing all winter long. Remember: hydration is a year-round commitment, and the right products and regimen make all the difference.
For more of the best skincare products and recommendations, browse The Skinny Confidential Shop.
