How do I adjust my skincare routine in winter?

What should my winter routine look like?

1. 1Cleanse gently. Choose a moisturizing cleanser without fragrance instead of regular soap. Avoid scrubbing, and use warm rather than hot water.
2. 2Pat skin dry after washing, leaving it damp. Apply moisturizer while that moisture is still there, rather than waiting until your skin feels tight.
3. 3Reapply moisturizer during the day when skin feels dry. For dry skin, two to three applications daily is a useful starting point; use it more often if needed.
4. 4Choose a comfortable evening texture. A cream can suit daytime use, while a greasier ointment can suit very dry areas overnight.

Wash your hands before applying moisturizer and smooth it over skin in the direction of hair growth rather than rubbing. If it comes in a tub, remove a portion with a clean spoon instead of your fingers. A pump avoids the spoon arrangement, which is an unexpectedly domestic requirement for skincare.3

What moisturizer should I use in winter?

Look for ceramides, which are fats that help hydrate skin, and hyaluronic acid. Despite its name, hyaluronic acid moisturizes rather than exfoliates. Glycerin, petrolatum and shea butter are also useful ingredients for dry skin. Choose fragrance free products, especially if skin is sensitive. An "all natural" label does not mean a product is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.14

Should I use a thicker moisturizer in winter?

Yes, if your skin is dry or your lotion no longer keeps it comfortable. Otherwise, a thicker product is not compulsory. Oily skin can suit a gel, and excess moisturizer can clog pores in some people. For combination skin, moisturize the dry patches and leave oily areas alone; your forehead and cheeks do not need a shared purchasing policy. Skin holds less moisture with age, so a cream is a better starting point for people over 50 or going through perimenopause.4

How do I stop my skin drying out in winter?

Keep baths and showers warm and short, about five to ten minutes, and bathe no more than once daily. Long, hot washes and frequent washing can contribute to dryness. Use cleanser where needed, including the face, underarms, genital area, hands and feet, rather than scrubbing your whole body. Choose soft clothing against skin and detergents without fragrance or dyes; rough wool can aggravate dryness.2

Apply moisturizer within three minutes of showering to trap water before it evaporates. A bedroom humidifier can help counter dry indoor air; aim for home humidity between 30% and 50%. Protect exposed skin with a scarf, hat or other covering outdoors. Moisturize hands frequently, and wear gloves in cold weather, when washing dishes or when handling cleaners. For very dry hands, petroleum jelly under cloth gloves overnight is another option.5

How often should I exfoliate in winter?

If skin is dry and peeling, skip exfoliation and moisturize instead. Exfoliation can strip away more moisture and worsen dryness. If your skin is comfortable and you continue exfoliating, keep it to once or twice weekly at most. That is a ceiling, not a target you need to meet.45

Reduce how often you use glycolic acid, salicylic acid or retinol if they become drying in winter, or choose a lower concentration. These products do not all need to disappear from your routine, but a summer schedule can be too much in colder months. If a prescription retinoid becomes too drying, discuss adjusting it with your prescriber. If you use a topical corticosteroid, a steroid medicine applied to skin, keep moisturizer at least 30 minutes apart from it.13

Do I still need sunscreen in winter?

Yes. Apply sunscreen year round to skin not covered by clothing, including your face, neck, ears and hands; the calendar is not sun protection. Choose broad spectrum protection, which covers UVA and UVB, water resistance and SPF 30 or higher. A moisturizing sunscreen cream can suit winter dryness better than a lotion or spray. If using separate products, apply moisturizer first and sunscreen on top. Shade, gloves and sunglasses with UV protection also help.1

What should improve, and when should I get help?

Moisturizers help reduce water loss, improve the skin barrier and relieve itching. Dryness can improve when contributing factors are controlled, but an underlying tendency to dry skin can persist. Judge your routine by whether tightness, roughness and itching are easing, rather than by a fixed deadline. Choose a texture you can tolerate and use consistently, taking cost and availability into account.6

Stop using a moisturizer that makes skin itchy or sore. Keep away from smoking and flames after applying paraffin based emollients. If you are receiving ultraviolet light treatment or radiotherapy, ask your treating team for specific moisturizer instructions.3

See a clinician if dryness is not improving with home care, or becomes painful, cracked, bleeding or persistently stinging. Get help if itching disrupts sleep, occurs without a visible rash, or scratching causes open cuts or sores. Winter can also aggravate eczema and psoriasis, so persistent symptoms deserve more than another moisturizer purchase.124