How Does Winter Impact The Skin? | Winter Skin Care Routine Basics | Dry Skin | Oily Skin | Normal Skin | Sensitive Skin | Combination Skin

Winter is the season to change up your skin care routine. When Frank Sinatra on the radio starts crooning that “the weather outside is frightful,” it’ll be around that time of year when freezing temperatures and extreme heating start to wreak havoc on your skin. To prepare your skin for winter, here are the best winter skin care routines you can use depending on your skin type. 

Winter Skin Care: How Does Winter Impact The Skin?

Thanks to the weather’s increased dryness in winter, hydration in the skin drops and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increases. TEWL refers to the process of water passing from the dermis through the epidermis and evaporating through the skin barrier. Without the added moisture of sweat and humidity, colder weather can easily strip the skin of natural oils, causing dry and irritated skin and even a compromised skin barrier. Thankfully, you can avoid this with certain products to keep the moisture in. Before we dive into specific product recommendations for each skin type, here are the foundational steps that each skin care routine will follow:

The Winter Skin Care Routine Basics

For all skin types, a good winter skin care routine is made up of a few key steps:

Cleanse 

Cleanse with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, makeup or buildup that can lead to breakouts or congested skin.

Tone

Tone with either a toner, mist or essence to add an extra layer of hydration and treat any other concerns you might have. 

Exfoliate

Exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant to smooth off any dead or flaking skin exacerbated by winter. This step is especially useful during the cooler months when the skin is likely to be at its driest. 

Mask

Your skin requires extra hydration during the colder months. To replenish your skin, you should ideally mask once or twice a week. 

Boost

Boost your skin with a product that offers targeted treatments, such as a serum or facial oil. 

Moisturize

Moisturize morning and night to keep your skin balanced during winter. Ensure you’ve applied moisturizer on your face and body, particularly after a shower when hot water dries out the skin.

Eye Care

Use a rich eye cream to hydrate the thinner, more delicate skin around the eye area. 

Supporting your skin with the right products is a great way to navigate any winter dullness. Although replenishing lost hydration is vital for all skin types in winter, you don’t want a one-size-fits-all approach to your skin care routine. Each skin type has its own unique symptoms and challenges. Read on to discover the best winter routines and tips for each skin type. 

A Winter Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin

Winter can be a tricky time for dry skin types who may notice that their skin feels tighter and more stripped of moisture than normal. The skin may become more flaky, itchy and rough on your face and body. The ultimate goal in winter for drier skin types is to increase moisture and keep the skin’s moisture barrier intact. To achieve this, our Product Support Representatives recommend this winter routine for dry skin:

1. Cleanse with the Coconut Milk Cleanser
2. Tone with the Birch Water Purifying Essence
3. Exfoliate with the Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel
4. Restore with the Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil
5. Moisturize with the Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer
6. Care for the eye area with Snow Mushroom Moisture Cloud Eye Cream

Our Best Tips For Caring For Dry Skin in Winter

• Invest in a humidifier to add moisture back into the air.
• While we understand the appeal of extremely hot showers, you’re better off sticking to warm to lukewarm showers. Hot showers draw even more moisture from the skin and strip away the little oil your skin had in the first place. 
• Skin still feeling parched? Consider slugging with an occlusive moisturizer like our Rosehip & Lemongrass Repair Balm. Slugging once or twice a week locks in the moisture from your skin care and adds an extra layer of protection through the night. 
• Keep exfoliation to one or two times a week to avoid over-exfoliating.

A Winter Skin Care Routine For Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you’re no stranger to excess shine, visible pores and breakouts. Your skin produces more oil and is greasy to the touch. Your makeup may also absorb very quickly into the skin, but what remains also slides off quickly. Our Product Support Representatives recommend the following skin care routine to prevent breakouts and minimize greasiness:

1. Cleanse with the Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
2. Tone with the Lime Refresh Tonique
3. Exfoliate with the Clear Skin Willow Bark Exfoliating Peel
4. Replenish with the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque  
5. Boost with the Cornflower Recovery Serum
6. Moisturize with the Echinacea Recovery Cream  

Our Best Tips for Caring for Oily Skin In Winter

• Don’t avoid face oils or moisturizers throughout the winter. Even oily skin benefits from some extra hydration during the driest part of the year. As licensed medical esthetician Kim Hart tells What’s Up Mag, adding oil to your skin will keep the skin soft and supple so that the skin looks and feels less greasy. 
• Year round, cleansing is a necessary step for removing any dirt or buildup that can lead to breakouts or congested skin. 
• Even oily skin may experience dryness and flakiness during the colder months, which may be helped by using a replenishing mask (such as the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque listed above).