Winter Skincare Essentials
Unless you live in a mild climate, winter skincare requires a shift. As moisture disappears from the air, skin tends to lose its natural oils along with it — leading to dryness, tightness, and irritated lips.
These are the steps and product categories that consistently help my skin retain moisture through the colder months, while waiting patiently for humidity to return.
Starting gently
Cleansing is where dryness often starts, so this is not the season for anything stripping. Gentle, hydrating formulas help maintain the skin barrier and set the tone for everything that follows.
Gentle or Hydrating Cleansers:
Each of these cleanses without leaving skin tight — an underrated but essential detail in winter.
Layering in hydration
Adding a hyaluronic acid serum morning and night has made a noticeable difference for me during winter. It also helps counteract dryness from retinols, wind exposure, and even chlorine in warmer months.
Hydrated skin looks plumper and more resilient, which naturally softens the appearance of fine lines.
Hyaluronic Acids Serums:
Revision Skincare Hydrating Serum - this one is very light so I love it for morning application under my moisturizer (and sunscreen - which you should also be using in the winter despite the shorter days!)
SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier - this is a serum gel that I also love for morning application. It makes my skin feel quite smooth which is a great base under makeup.
Cerave Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum - the consistency of this one is more of a lotion which makes application feel pretty luxurious especially before adding a moisturizer before bed
Moisture that actually lasts
Winter moisturizers should support the skin barrier, not just sit on top of it. Richer formulas help lock in hydration and prevent moisture loss throughout the day and night.
Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer - my dermatologist recommended this to me years ago and I haven’t looked back
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 - a lipid replinishing moisturizer that feels incredible on your skin
Lip care, taken seriously
I am unapologetically serious about lip products. Most days you’ll find me in a balm or gloss rather than lipstick, and winter is prime time for overnight treatments.
Lip essentials
Revision Skincare Youthful Lip Replenisher - this is my ride or die lip product and saves my lips every night. It is thick and somewhat tacky so I put it on before bed and it’s still there when I wake up in the morning. It contains hyaluronic acid so it helps retain water and helps your lips stretch, for those big smiles! I have one of these on my nightstand, in my bathroom, and in my travel bag so that I’m never without.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask - before I found the Lip Replenisher, this was my go to night treatment… it doesn’t stay all night and I was still dealing with the dryness/cracking from winter lips but I do like the product so I just moved it to a daytime application.
Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy was available long before the two products above and I would argue that for the price, it’s a strong competitor for the Laneige.
Don’t forget the body
Dry skin doesn’t stop at the neckline. Winter is when body care really earns its place.
Body care
Curel Daily Healing Body Lotion - I love this for everyday - you can literally feel the moisture in your skin at the end of the day. Use right after you get out of the shower to help retain the moisture in your skin.
Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion - a dermatologist once told me that this would repair your skin barrier and get your skin back to health after 3 days of use… it works. Perfect for dry spots such as elbows, knees, ankles and feet. I prefer to use at night as it is a little greasy.
A few extra reinforcements
Hydration starts internally, and while I’m not perfect about water intake, it does make a difference. For anyone wanting to go a step further, these extras can help support skin through especially dry conditions.
Evian Facial Spray - exactly what it sounds like, I mist on my skin between the HA products and moisturizer but if I still feel dry throughout the day, I mist.
Aquaphor Balm - Stick - you can add a thin layer of Aquafor over your moisturizer at bedtime. It will restore the driest of skin as it prevents water from evaporating from your skin. This comes in a stick so you don’t have it all over your hands.
Hey Dewy Humidifier - putting water back into dry air helps with dry skin. Science. This is a portable cool mist so you don’t have extra cords lingering on your nightstand which also means that it travels well.
