A winter skincare routine can make a big difference when cold weather leaves your skin feeling dry, tight, rough, or flaky.

During winter, cold outdoor air, low humidity, indoor heating, hot showers, and other environmental factors can increase moisture loss from the skin. Even products that worked perfectly during warmer months may suddenly feel like they are not providing enough hydration.

The good news is that you don’t necessarily need an entirely new collection of skincare products. A few thoughtful changes—such as using a gentler cleanser, moisturizing more consistently, and protecting your skin barrier—may help keep your skin comfortable throughout the colder months.

If your skin tends to struggle as temperatures drop, here are 10 practical ways to adjust your winter skincare routine.

Why Does Your Skin Get So Dry in Winter?

Winter weather can be challenging for your skin barrier.

The outermost layer of your skin helps hold onto water while protecting the skin from environmental irritants. Cold weather and low humidity can contribute to increased water loss, while indoor heating can make the surrounding air even drier.

Your everyday habits can matter too.

Long hot showers, harsh cleansers, frequent exfoliation, and skipping moisturizer may leave already-dry winter skin feeling even more uncomfortable.

If your face feels dry despite regularly using moisturizer, read our guide on why your skin is dry even after moisturizing.

1. Switch to a Gentle Cleanser

The first step in your winter skincare routine should be making sure your cleanser isn’t leaving your skin feeling stripped.

If your face feels tight immediately after washing, your cleanser may be too drying for your current routine.

Look for a gentle cleanser designed to remove dirt, sunscreen, makeup, and excess oil without leaving your skin feeling squeaky clean.

Ingredients commonly found in moisturizing cleansers include:

• Ceramides
• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Squalane

You don’t necessarily need to stop using every active cleanser during winter. However, if your skin becomes noticeably dry or irritated, reducing the frequency of stronger cleansers may help.

2. Avoid Washing Your Face With Very Hot Water

A steaming-hot shower might feel amazing on a freezing morning, but your skin may prefer lukewarm water.

Very hot water can remove some of the oils from the skin’s surface and may worsen feelings of dryness and tightness.

Use lukewarm water when cleansing your face and try to avoid spending excessive amounts of time under very hot water.

This applies to your body too, especially if you experience dry or itchy skin during winter.

3. Apply Moisturizer While Your Skin Is Slightly Damp

Timing can make your moisturizer work more effectively within your routine.

After cleansing, gently pat your face rather than rubbing it completely dry. Apply your hydrating products and moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp.

Moisturizers can contain several types of ingredients:

Humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid help attract water.

Emollients help soften and smooth the skin.

Occlusives help reduce water loss by creating a protective layer over the skin.

A well-formulated moisturizer may combine more than one of these approaches.

4. Consider a Richer Moisturizer

Your lightweight summer moisturizer may not feel sufficient once winter arrives.

If your skin becomes noticeably drier, consider switching to a creamier moisturizer or adding a richer product at night.

Look for ingredients such as:

• Ceramides
• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Squalane
• Shea butter
• Petrolatum

Ceramides are particularly useful for supporting the skin barrier. You can learn more in our guide to ceramides for skin.

People with oily or acne-prone skin don’t automatically need a very heavy cream. A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer may still provide enough hydration without feeling greasy.

5. Don’t Over-Exfoliate Dry Winter Skin

Exfoliation can help remove dead surface skin cells, but more exfoliation does not necessarily mean smoother skin.

Using AHAs, BHAs, scrubs, retinoids, and other potentially irritating products too frequently can leave some people’s skin feeling dry or sensitive.

This can become particularly noticeable during winter.

If your skin starts burning, stinging, peeling, or becoming unusually sensitive, consider simplifying your routine and reducing potentially irritating products.

If you’re deciding between exfoliating acids, our AHA vs. BHA guide explains the differences.

6. Pay Extra Attention to Your Skin Barrier

Your skin barrier deserves extra attention when building a winter skincare routine.

Signs that your skin may be irritated or compromised can include:

• Persistent tightness
• Flaking
• Increased sensitivity
• Burning or stinging when applying products
• Roughness
• Redness

Rather than adding more active ingredients, simplify your routine.

A basic routine of gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection may be more appropriate while your skin settles.

Read our complete guide on how to repair a damaged skin barrier for more information.

7. Keep Wearing Sunscreen

Winter doesn’t mean sunscreen season is over.

Ultraviolet radiation can still reach your skin during colder and cloudy days.

For daily sun protection, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when you’ll be exposed to the sun.

Apply sunscreen as the final step of your morning skincare routine before makeup.

Don’t rely on cold temperatures as an indication of UV exposure—the temperature outside and UV radiation aren’t the same thing.

8. Add Hydration Without Making Your Routine Complicated

Winter is often when people start adding multiple serums, oils, masks, and creams at once.

You usually don’t need a complicated routine.

If your skin needs more hydration, you could introduce a hydrating serum or essence underneath your moisturizer.

Ingredients to look for include:

• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Panthenol
• Beta-glucan

Apply your hydrating product first and follow it with moisturizer.

Introducing one new product at a time also makes it easier to identify which product is helping—or causing irritation.

9. Don’t Forget Your Lips, Hands, and Body

A good winter skincare routine shouldn’t stop at your face.

Your lips, hands, elbows, knees, and legs can become especially dry during colder weather.

Lips

Use a simple moisturizing lip balm or ointment regularly, especially before going outside and before bed.

Hands

Apply hand cream after washing your hands and whenever they feel dry.

Body

Apply body lotion or cream shortly after showering while your skin is still slightly damp.

If you enjoy a longer self-care routine, our everything shower routine explains the correct head-to-toe order.

10. Adjust Your Routine Based on What Your Skin Needs

There isn’t one perfect winter skincare routine for everyone.

Your skin type, climate, products, medications, and daily habits can all affect how your skin behaves.

If You Have Dry Skin

Prioritize gentle cleansing, richer moisturizers, and barrier-supporting ingredients. You may also need to reduce exfoliation.

If You Have Oily Skin

Don’t skip moisturizer just because your skin produces oil. Choose lightweight hydrating products that feel comfortable on your skin.

If You Have Acne-Prone Skin

Continue treating acne as appropriate, but watch for excessive dryness when combining acne treatments with cold, dry weather.

If You Have Sensitive Skin

Keep your routine simple and be cautious when introducing fragrances, exfoliating acids, retinoids, or multiple new products simultaneously.

Persistent, painful, severely cracked, or unusually irritated skin should be evaluated by a dermatologist or another qualified healthcare professional.

Simple Winter Morning Skincare Routine

You don’t need ten products every morning.

A simple routine can look like:

Step 1: Gentle cleanser
Step 2: Optional hydrating serum
Step 3: Moisturizer
Step 4: Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen

For the full layering sequence, see our guide to the correct order to apply skincare products.

Simple Winter Night Skincare Routine

Your evening routine can be just as straightforward:

Step 1: Remove makeup and sunscreen
Step 2: Cleanse gently
Step 3: Apply treatment products, if used
Step 4: Hydrating serum, if needed
Step 5: Moisturizer

People with particularly dry areas may choose to apply a thin layer of an occlusive product over moisturizer in selected areas.

However, you don’t need to cover your entire face in heavy ointment simply because it’s winter.

Common Winter Skincare Mistakes

Even a good winter skincare routine can become irritating if you’re doing too much.

Some common mistakes include:

• Taking very long, hot showers
• Over-cleansing
• Exfoliating too frequently
• Skipping moisturizer because you have oily skin
• Using multiple strong active ingredients together
• Forgetting sunscreen
• Constantly introducing new products
• Ignoring persistent irritation
• Waiting until skin becomes extremely dry before moisturizing

Often, simplifying your routine is more helpful than adding another active ingredient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I change my skincare routine in winter?

You don’t necessarily need to replace your entire routine. However, your winter skincare routine may benefit from a gentler cleanser, additional hydration, a richer moisturizer, or less frequent exfoliation if your skin becomes drier during cold weather.

What is the best winter skincare routine?

There isn’t one routine that’s best for everyone. A simple winter skincare routine generally focuses on gentle cleansing, adequate moisturizing, protecting the skin barrier, and daily sun protection.

Why does my face get flaky in winter?

Cold temperatures, lower humidity, indoor heating, hot water, harsh cleansing, and excessive exfoliation can all contribute to dry or flaky-looking skin.

Should I exfoliate dry skin in winter?

You can exfoliate during winter, but avoid assuming that flaky skin needs aggressive exfoliation. If your skin is already irritated, reducing exfoliation and focusing on moisturization may be more appropriate.

Is hyaluronic acid good for winter?

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant commonly used in hydrating skincare products. It can be included in a winter routine, typically followed by a moisturizer to help support hydration.

Do I still need sunscreen during winter?

Yes. UV exposure still occurs during winter. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher when appropriate for sun exposure.

Final Thoughts

A good winter skincare routine doesn’t have to involve buying an entirely new shelf of products.

Start with the basics: cleanse gently, avoid excessively hot water, moisturize consistently, don’t over-exfoliate, support your skin barrier, and continue using sunscreen.

Most importantly, pay attention to how your own skin responds. If cold weather makes your usual routine feel too drying or irritating, small adjustments may be all you need to keep your skin feeling comfortable and hydrated throughout winter.