Fortunately, there are solutions to these concerns. I like to think of them as wintertime skin saviors able to transform dry, dull skin into the glowingly firm complexion you’re used to year-round. “Your summer skin care won’t cut it when the weather turns chilly,” board-certified physician assistant and founder of Azala Skin Clinic Paula Brezavscek chimes in. Below, a look at swaps I made to improve my own skin’s conditions for winter, along with feedback from the experts.
Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is my first order of business! Drinking enough water is always top of mind (and one of my 2025 beauty resolutions) to keep my body in tip-top shape but it delivers hydration benefits to the skin, too. “Hydrating from within supports healthy skin, but don’t rely solely on water,” says Brezavscek. “Moisture loss from the skin barrier still needs topical TLC.”
Prioritizing Hydrating Cleansers
Not to worry, Brezavscek—I’m looking to my skin-care topicals, too, to amp up the hydration. Since I have oily-skewing skin, I tend to reach for gel cleansers which help balance oil production; which, while useful in the summertime, are not delivering the moisture my skin is craving in winter. So, I’m subbing in creamy hydrating ones for the time being. “A hydrating cleanser will help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier while effectively removing impurities—a great step to minimize dryness,” Murphy-Rose says. “Opt for pH-balanced cleansers with emollient-rich surfactants to cleanse without stripping the skin’s barrier.” La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane is a long-held drugstore favorite of mine, while Farmacy’s latest debut has become an instant hit. Murphy-Rose also notes that you can skip a morning cleanse and wash your face at the end of the day, or us a micellar water in the a.m. to remove overnight residue. I love this point because I do not wash my face in the morning! Good to know I can continue this in the winter.
Applying a Nourishing Oil Before Harsh Ingredients
One day, I used my gua sha and face oil to sculpt my face and promote lymphatic drainage. Once I was done, I applied an exfoliant—Glo Skin’s Beta-Clarity BHA Drops—and woke up with skin that was smoother but also so soft and nourished. Brezavscek calls this smart layering. “This helps reduce irritation and creates a buffer for sensitive areas while still getting the benefits of your active ingredients,” she adds. While I like this technique with my retinols, AHAs, and BHAs, Murphy-Rose notes though that it’s best to apply these to clean skin even in the winter, as applying an oil before these might prevent you from reaping the benefits. Instead, try lower potency exfoliants like her Pore Therapy Daily Toner Pads which improve skin texture gently while hydrating rather drying. Oh, and by the way, you don’t have to skip exfoliation altogether in the winter but “just dial it back,” per Brezavscek, to once a week to keep dullness at bay without over stripping skin.
Switching to Richer Face Creams
Changing my face cream is probably my most recommended step on this entire list, as the moisturizer you choose really effects how your skin retains moisture. When I switched from Augustinus Bader’s The Cream to it’s more emollient counterpart, The Rich Cream, my skin felt more hydrated and firm. This step is also derm approved: “Transitioning to a richer moisturizer is a wise choice for combating winter dryness and reducing transepidermal water losses,” Murphy-Rose says.
Using Richer, Hydrating Sunscreens
Per Murphy-Rose, you can totally use your go-to sunscreens year round, especially if you really like it and you do the above step of using a richer moisturizer. “But make sure your sunscreen pairs well with your moisturizer and isn’t leading to pilling when your moisturizer changes,” she says. “Often water-based moisturizers do best with water-based sunscreens, and the same for oil-based skincare products with other oil-based ones.” So, when I traded my lightweight, water-based moisturizers (like Tatcha’s The Water Cream) for thicker, oil-based ones, I found that more creamy sunscreens like Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun and Sulwhasoo’s UV Daily Cream sat better on my skin.
Using Face Oils, Ointments, and Balms When Necessary
Something I’m only recently coming to terms with is that you can spot treat your skin. I often think of this for, say, a pimple by applying a hydrocolloid patch or a dark spot by adding a dot of hyperpigmentation-diminishing serum directly to the area. But, you can take a similar approach to treat dry patches. “Applying face oils, ointments, or balms selectively to areas prone to dryness, like around the nose or on the lips, can provide immediate relief and prevent irritation,” says Murphy-Rose. I like applying La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast B5 cream or Monastery’s Attar Concentrate to chapped, flaky areas for instant relief without treating my entire face per Brezavscek’s advice: “Avoid slathering all over if you’re prone to breakouts.”
Find a Good Lip Balm
I am never without a lip balm, but when I asked our experts for their top wintertime tips, they emphasized lip care. “Lips are especially prone to dryness in winter, so use a solid, non-irritating lip balm to protect and hydrate,” says Murphy-Rose. Sisley’s and Avene’s are two of my favorites for long-lasting moisture.
Aid Runny Noses
“If needed to prevent runny nose irritation, protect the skin around your nose with a light coat of Aquaphor or petroleum jelly,” Murphy-Rose advises. “For severe irritation, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment can help.”
Humidify Your Space
After consulting the experts, setting up my humidifier is at the top of my to-do list! “Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier helps keep skin hydrated, especially in homes with indoor heating,” says Murphy-Rose. “Try sleeping with a humidifier to wake up with more hydrated skin.” Who knew the air quality while you sleep could make such a big difference in your complexion?
Use a Rich Hand Cream
Brezavscek reminds us to keep a hand cream healthy. “This area take a beating in the cold,” she says. Murphy-Rose recommends a rich formula and to avoid excessive hand washing—L’Occitane’s is my personal favorite and always at my bedside, but CeraVe’s is also very reparative. And when you’re outside, “protect your hands by wearing gloves or keeping them in pockets to prevent redness, cracking, and sensitivity.”
