Winter Skin Care: How to Adjust for the Colder Months
As the weather gets chillier, our skin faces new challenges. Most people notice a change in their skin during winter months: uncomfortable, tight, or flaky skin are common complaints that can be caused by cold, dry air. Even if you have oily skin, the change in winter weather can cause dehydration. But with the right tweaks to your skincare routine, according to your skin type, you can keep your skin balanced, hydrated, and healthy all winter long.
Before diving into specific tips for different skin types, let’s break down a few key skincare ingredients you'll need this season:
Humectants: These ingredients draw moisture from the environment or deeper layers of your skin to the surface, keeping your skin hydrated. Common humectants include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera.
Emollients: These are ingredients that smooth and soften the skin. They fill in the gaps between skin cells to make your skin feel smooth. Examples include squalane, fatty acids, and plant oils.
Occlusives: These are the heavy-duty moisture sealers. They form a protective layer on your skin, trapping moisture in. Think of them as your skin’s winter coat. Common occlusives include shea butter, petroleum jelly, and lanolin. If you’ve heard the term “slugging” before, this is that.
Another important distinction to know is the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin.
To tell the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin, you can look at how your skin feels and behaves:
Dry Skin (Lacks Oil):
Visual Cues: Skin may look flaky, rough, or even cracked. It can appear dull and may have visible dry patches. Unlikely to have noticeable excess oil on the surface of the skin, even around the T-zone.
Sensory Cues: Skin feels tight, rough, or itchy most of the time, even after applying moisturizer. You may also feel a persistent need to apply rich creams or oils to make it comfortable.
Dehydrated Skin (Lacks Water):
Visual Cues: Skin can look dull or feel tight, but might still appear oily or shiny in some areas such as the T-zone. You may also notice more pronounced fine lines (especially after facial expressions).
Sensory Cues: Skin feels tight or sensitive but may still produce oil. After moisturizing, it feels better temporarily but may still seem uncomfortably tight or thirsty later in the day.
Essentially, dry skin is a consistent skin type that lacks oils, while dehydrated skin is a temporary condition that lacks water, even in oily skin types. Dry skin can be caused by genetics, but it also can be the result of medical conditions, medications, and even age. As we get older, our bodies tend to slow down on their sebum production and both dryness and dehydration are common as we age. Even if your skin is oily, it can still be dehydrated, especially in winter when cold air strips moisture from the skin. So, let’s explore how to adjust your skincare based on your skin type.
For Dry Skin: Embrace Hydration and Protection
If you have dry skin year-round, winter can make it feel even more parched. Your focus should be on replenishing both moisture and oils in your skin.
What to do:
Humectants first: Before you slather on your emollient-rich cream, apply a serum or toner with humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to attract moisture to your skin.
Double down on emollients: Emollients will be your best friend. Look for rich, creamy moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides, plant oils (like jojoba or almond), and squalane. These will soften your skin and help prevent that rough, dry feeling.
Add an occlusive: If your skin feels extra dry or you’re facing particularly harsh winter weather, consider adding an occlusive to your routine. Apply it as the last step in your nighttime skincare to seal everything in. If you’re doing a lot of outdoor activities in the winter (skiiers, snowboarders, cyclists and runners--I’m looking at you!), consider adding a thin layer of an occlusive before you hit the slopes. Shea butter or petroleum jelly can help lock in moisture and prevent water loss overnight.
Key tip: Layer your skincare. Start with a hydrating serum, follow with a rich moisturizer, and top it off with an occlusive at night if needed. If that still doesn’t feel like enough, try using a gentle chemical exfoliant a few nights a week. A gentle chemical exfoliant can help soften your skin and make it a little easier for your skin to accept the moisture you’re trying to give it.
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HUMECTANTS
Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Refiner - One of my favorite Korean skin care products! This amazing formula can be used as a toner for those with dry skin, or a moisturizer for those with oily skin. Full of ceramides & peptides. “SHOPBOEH” for 10% off!
CosRX Hydrium Watery Toner- Very lightweight and fast absorbing! “SHOPBOEH” for 10% off!
Super Saturated by Experiment Beauty - My go-to for anyone who can’t tolerate hyaluronic acid. This serum has 30% glycerine in it and will help you hold on to water. Apply to damp skin!
EMOLLIENTSDIEUX Instant Angel - This moisturizer is viral for a reason. This gorgeous formula has a smart mix of humectants and emollients in addition to a barrier complex that can help strengthen your natural lipid layer.
Vetted M2 Moisturizer - For the ultra sensitive, look no farther than Vetted Dermlabs. This formula is deeply hydrating with ceramides and phospholipids, really savvy for sensitive skin! “LISA15” for15% off!
OCCLUSIVES
Vaseline - Petroleum jelly is one of the safest and best studied topical skin care products in existence--don’t let a crunchy mommy blogger tell you otherwise! This is MOST effective occlusive on the market by a long shot, but that’s the only benefit it offers.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 - One of my personal holy grail items. This soothing multi-purpose cream is amazing for dry winter skin. Occlusive properties + soothing + hydration.
Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm - This is a GOAT soothing and healing product for sensitive and irritated skin. If you need to lock in hydration and soothe irritation and redness, this is what you need. “LISABOEHM” for 20% off!
For Oily Skin: Keep It Light but Hydrated
Even if your skin is oily, winter can still leave it dehydrated. Your skin might be producing excess oil as it tries to compensate for the lack of moisture, so it’s essential to focus on hydration without clogging your pores.
What to do:
Focus on humectants: Humectants are crucial for oily skin, especially in winter. Opt for lightweight, water-based serums with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera. These will help hydrate without adding extra oils.
Be mindful of emollients: You don’t need heavy, oily creams, but a lightweight moisturizer with non-comedogenic emollients, like squalane or jojoba oil, can still help maintain balance. Avoid thick, rich creams that may clog pores or feel too heavy on your skin.
Skip the occlusives: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, occlusives can be tricky. They may trap oil and bacteria, potentially leading to breakouts. Instead, stick to your lightweight moisturizers and humectants, and avoid occlusive ingredients like shea butter or petroleum jelly.
Key tip: Hydration is just as important for oily skin. Keeping your skin hydrated can actually help reduce excess oil production.
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HUMECTANTS
Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Refiner - One of my favorite Korean skin care products! This amazing formula can be used as a toner for those with dry skin, or a moisturizer for those with oily skin. Full of ceramides & peptides.
CosRX Hydrium Watery Toner - Very lightweight and fast absorbing
Super Saturated by Experiment Beauty - My go-to for anyone who can’t tolerate hyaluronic acid. This serum has 30% glycerine in it and will help you hold on to water. Apply to damp skin!EMOLLIENTS
DIEUX Air Angel Hydrating Gel Creme - If Instant Angel is too heavy for you, give Air Angel a chance. Has tons of hydration, a barrier protection complex, and a matte finish to boot!
Vetted Dermlab M1 Moisturizer - This moisturizer is super friendly to sensitive skin, and a great all around basic light weight moisturizer. It does have grapeseed oil in it, so it’s a great lightweight moisturizer for those with oily skin who are feeling a bit dried out by the winter winds. Probably not the best choice for those who are an oil slick 24/7/365. “LISA15” for 15% off!
La Roche Posay Double Repair Moisturizer - This cult classic moisturizer is almost oil free, but the amount of vitamin E oil is so minimal that I would still recommend it to the ultra oily. Full of ceramides and humectants. Great for oily skin all year long.
OCCLUSIVES
Buffer Jelly by Experiment - This super unique formula is an oil/gel hybrid designed to “microdose” slugging. Oily skin doesn’t need a heavy layer of vaseline, but the 3% petrolatum in this formula combined with ceramides and some ultra light weight oils to form a fantastic winter booster for your oily skin.
Skinceuticals Hydrabalm - Petrolatum combined with aloe--not nearly as heavy as straight vaseline, and with soothing benefits to boot.
For Combination or Normal Skin: Find the Balance
If you have combination or normal skin, your goal is to find a balance between hydration and avoiding too much heaviness on oilier areas. Winter may dry out the drier parts of your face (like your cheeks), but your T-zone may still remain oily.
What to do:
Humectants are your base: Use hydrating serums with humectants to ensure your skin gets enough moisture, especially in areas that tend to dry out, like the cheeks. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are excellent options.
Emollients, but selectively: For combination skin, it’s about using emollients where you need them. If your cheeks feel dry, apply a richer moisturizer in those areas, while sticking to a lighter one for your oilier T-zone. Normal skin types can use a balanced moisturizer with lightweight emollients, like squalane or jojoba oil.
Occlusives only in specific areas: If parts of your skin feel especially dry (like around your nose or mouth), consider applying an occlusive at night on those areas only. Avoid applying it to oilier areas to prevent clogging pores.
Key tip: You don’t need the same product all over your face. It’s okay to use different products in different areas to meet your skin’s unique needs.
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HUMECTANTS
Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Refiner - One of my favorite Korean skin care products! This amazing formula can be used as a toner for those with dry skin, or a moisturizer for those with oily skin. Full of ceramides & peptides. “SHOPBOEH” for 10% off!
CosRX Hydrium Watery Toner - Very lightweight and fast absorbing! “SHOPBOEH” for 10% off!
Super Saturated by Experiment Beauty - My go-to for anyone who can’t tolerate hyaluronic acid. This serum has 30% glycerine in it and will help you hold on to water. Apply to damp skin!
EMOLLIENTS
Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream - This is my personal goldilocks moisturizer. Not to thick, not to thin. My combo skin loves it! The prebiotic peptides, ceramides, lipids and multiple weights of hyaluronic acid keep my skin feeling hydrated without overwhelming my t-zone and getting greasy.
La Roche Posay Double Repair Moisturizer - This cult classic moisturizer might not be enough for those who are more on the dry side of combo, but it’s so nourishing, soothing and repairing that it deserves a spot on this list. And not to mention hydrating--I love this moisturizer for that benefit alone. Apply it to your entire face and then gently pat on a facial oil or occlusive to any zones that need a little more moisture.
Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream - If you live on the oily side of the combo spectrum, this might be a little too heavy for you, but for my “normal” pals and those who aren’t an out of control oilslick by 2pm, this is for you. Extremely hydrating and also has some anti-redness benefits!
OCCLUSIVES
Vaseline - Petroleum jelly is one of the safest and best studied topical skin care products in existence--don’t let a crunchy mommy blogger tell you otherwise! This is MOST effective occlusive on the market by a long shot, but that’s the only benefit it offers.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 - One of my personal holy grail items. This soothing multi-purpose cream is amazing for dry winter skin. Occlusive properties + soothing + hydration.
Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm- This is a GOAT soothing and healing product for sensitive and irritated skin. If you need to lock in hydration and soothe irritation and redness, this is what you need. “LISABOEHM” for 20% off!Buffer Jelly by Experiment - This super unique formula is an oil/gel hybrid designed to “microdose” slugging. Oily zones on your face don’t need a heavy layer of vaseline, but the 3% petrolatum in this formula combined with ceramides and some ultra light weight oils give you a light occlusive layer that might take a “not-quite-enough” moisturizer in to goldilocks territory.
Final Thoughts: Listen to Your Skin
Winter weather can be tough on your skin, but with the right adjustments, you can keep it healthy and radiant. Pay attention to how your skin feels and adjust accordingly—add more hydration if it feels tight, or cut back on heavy products if it feels greasy. With the right balance of humectants, emollients, and occlusives, you can protect your skin from the harsh cold and keep it glowing all season long.
And remember, skincare is not one-size-fits-all, especially in winter! What works for your friend’s skin may not work for yours, so take time to experiment and see what your skin loves most.
Need help with your winter skin care routine? Schedule a 1:1 Skin Care Consultation with me today and get a customized routine + all of your skin questions answered.