The Perfect Skin Care Routine in Winter to Prevent Dryness

Key Takeaways:

• The main steps in your skin care routine in winter are: Cleanse, tone, exfoliate, target dullness and dryness, moisturize, and protect from the sun.
• Apart from a consistent skincare routine, you also need to make a few lifestyle adjustments for soft and healthy skin in winter.

Does Your Skin Need Extra Care in Winter?

Yes, your skin needs extra attention and care during the winter months.

The season feels all cozy and festive, but it can be a bit harsh on your skin due to the following reasons

• The cold breeze strips away your skin’s natural oil, leaving it dry.
• The internal heating systems make indoor air dry, which takes moisture out of your skin
• The low humidity in the air means less moisture around, and your skin loses hydration faster
• The hot showers might feel relaxing, but they remove oil and moisture from your body.

All of these factors combine to draw out your skin’s natural hydration, leaving it dry and dehydrated. As a result, your skin starts to feel flaky, tight, and rough with pronounced fine lines.

But here is the good news

You can get back hydrated and plump skin by making a few adjustments to your skincare routine.

Step-by-Step Skin Care Routine In Winter

Step 1: Gently Cleanse your Skin

Cleansing is the first step of any skincare routine. A good face cleanser removes dirt and impurities from your skin, making it clear and fresh.

However, make sure to choose a cleanser with hydrating ingredients if you have dry skin. Hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerine, and ceramides are ideal for restoring hydration and moisture.

Gentle cream or gel cleansers work best for your dry winter skin. Harsh alcohol or fragrance-based products can sweep the natural oils from your skin and increase sensitivity. So try to avoid them.

 Cerave Hydrating Cream-to-Foam cleanser is one of the best options for dry skin. It has hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and amino acids that gently cleanse, deeply hydrate, and strengthen the skin barrier.

Step 2: Exfoliate to Remove the Dead Skin

Exfoliation is a crucial skincare step in winter, particularly for those with dry skin.

During Colder months, dead skin builds up faster, and your skin feels flaky. This not only leads to a rough and dull appearance but also hinders the other skincare products from absorbing into your skin.

So, chemically exfoliate preferably using mild alpha-hydroxy acids like lactic or mandelic acid.

However, overexfoliation can damage your skin barrier and lead to irritation. Try to find a balance and stick to exfoliating 2-3 times a week.

The Ordinary lactic acid and hyaluronic acid serum is an excellent exfoliant to incorporate into your skincare routine in winter. Lactic acid gently exfoliates and brightens the skin while hyaluronic acid hydrates to prevent dryness and roughness.

Step 3: Apply a Hydrating Toner

A toner removes the residual impurities that your cleanser might have missed. Not only that, but it also balances the pH of your skin.

Toners usually have a watery or milky texture that feels fresh and light on the skin. They also prep your skin for further layering. In winter, it is best to opt for soothing and hydrating formulas that can calm dryness. For example, look for formulations containing aloe vera, rose water, squalane, and glycerin.

The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment Milky Toner is a great pick for your dry winter skin. The formula gently exfoliates while smoothing uneven skin texture. It also contains squalane that improves hydration and supports the skin barrier.

Step 4: Go for a Targeted Serum

Serums are concentrated products with an active ingredient that targets a specific skin problem. They are lightweight and penetrate deeply into the skin to work effectively.

In winter, dryness and dullness are common skin concerns. That is why a hydrating and brightening serum is a perfect addition to your skin care routine in winter.

Natrium Vitamin C complex serum is a powerful antioxidant serum that makes your skin radiant and protects it from environmental damage. This serum also contains hyaluronic acid and vitamins for an extra boost of hydration to your dry skin in winter.

Step 5: Moisturize to Lock in Hydration

Moisturizing is one of the most important steps of a winter skincare routine. Unlike serums, moisturizers are thicker and provide long-lasting hydration.

They attract and seal moisture in your skin, giving your skin a dewy, plump look. Moisturizer also covers the lines and cracks, leaving your skin smooth and soft.

Cerave moisturizing cream is one of the most hydrating and affordable options on the market. The formula contains hyaluronic acid, which attracts water and ceramides that strengthen the barrier for prolonged moisture retention.

Step 6: End with a Broad Spectrum SPF

Sun protection is the last step of every skincare routine.  

The harsh UV rays damage your skin throughout the year. So, applying sunscreen in winter is as important as in summer.

Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that provides at least SPF 30 protection.

Tower 28 SOS Faceguard SPF is a great fit for your winter skincare routine. It contains zinc oxide and a ceramide blend for UV protection and barrier support. Best of all, it leaves no white cast.

Optional Step: Facial Oils

A facial oil can be a beneficial addition to your skin care routine in winter.

These oils are rich in natural moisturizing ingredients that seal hydration and strengthen your skin barrier. A strong skin barrier protects your skin from dullness, dryness, and dehydration.

The key to reaping maximum benefits lies in choosing the right oil as per your skin type. For example, avocado oil is recommended for dry skin because it is rich in fatty acids and vitamins D and E. It not only prevents moisture loss but also calms chapped and itchy skin.

You can easily find a high-quality avocado facial oil in a grocery store or health store.

However, some people are allergic to facial oils. So it is important to patch test before applying it to the face.

Winter Skincare Tips

• Internal hydration is crucial for healthy skin. Drink water throughout the day and try to maintain your fluid levels.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients to support a healthy skin barrier.
• Your skin care routine needs a few tweaks with changing seasons. The products you use in summer may not work well in your skin care routine in winter.
• You can also incorporate a DIY face mask made with natural hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, oatmeal, honey, etc., in your winter beauty routine.
• Do not ignore your lips, hands, and feet in winter. Use lip balms and hydrating body creams to prevent dryness in these areas.
• Use a humidifier indoors to combat the dry air from heating systems.

Wrap Up

A thoughtful skin care routine in winter plays a vital role in keeping your face plump and hydrated. But consistency is the key. Regular cleansing, gentle exfoliation, and moisturizing will give you noticeable results over time.

However, healthy skin is a reflection of your overall health. Stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and follow the skincare tips mentioned above to keep a radiant skin all winter long.