As the weather cools down and the days grow shorter, it’s clear: Winter is coming. Time to update your skin care routine. Colder, dry air outside combined with indoor heating can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving it dry, flaky, and irritated. Without the right care, your skin barrier becomes compromised, leading to everything from chapped lips and itchy skin to cracked heels.
Winter can also trigger existing skin conditions like eczema and keratosis pilaris (chicken bump skin), often making them worse. We’ll guide you through some easy yet effective winter skin care tips that’ll help keep your skin glowing, nourished, and hydrated all season long.
Common Winter Skin Issues
Winter brings a variety of skin concerns, many of which stem from reduced humidity in the air and exposure to extreme temperatures. Here are a few of the most common winter skin issues:
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Dry and Flaky Skin: Cold air and wind strip away the natural oils that help to keep skin moisturized, resulting in dryness and flakiness.
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Redness and Irritation: Your skin becomes more sensitive during winter, leading to redness, irritation, and exacerbating skin challenges like keratosis pilaris and eczema.
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Chapped, Dry Lips: The skin on your lips is extra-delicate; winter weather can easily cause them to flake, crack, and chap.
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Itchy Skin: Known as "winter itch," this condition is due to dry skin and can become more pronounced after showering and bathing.
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Cracked Heels: The dry air can also affect the feet, leading to painful cracks in the heels.
Essential Winter Skin Care Tips
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
Deep moisturization isn’t just the key to any winter skin care routine—it’s the key to year-round skin health. In winter, your skin loses moisture more quickly, making it crucial to replenish and lock in hydration. For super-dry skin, choose a thicker, oil-based moisturizer that contains ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid. These help to repair the skin’s barrier and retain moisture.
Pro tip: Apply moisturizer immediately after a shower, when your skin is still damp, to maximize absorption and lock in hydration. We also love using body oil on top of lotion to really seal in moisture.
Use a Gentle Cleanser
Harsh cleansers can strip your skin of its natural oils, worsening winter dryness. Switch to a gentle, hydrating cleanser that won’t deplete your skin’s moisture barrier. Look for sulfate-free products that contain nourishing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile.
Exfoliate, But Not Too Much
Exfoliation is important for removing dead skin cells and speeding up skin renewal. But over-exfoliating can overexpose and stress skin out, causing redness, irritation, and inflammation. Overdoing it on exfoliators can also lead to patchy, uneven tone and breakouts. Stick to light exfoliation once or twice a week using a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant like lactic acid.
Don’t Skip Sunscreen
Yes, daily sunscreen is necessary, even in the colder months. Winter sun can be just as damaging as summer sunshine, especially when it reflects off snow. UV rays can still penetrate through clouds and harm your skin. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on all exposed areas, especially your face and hands. We love a multitasking mineral face sunscreen and a hydrating one for the rest of your body.
Invest in a Humidifier
Indoor heating can dry out the air in your home, leading to dry, tight skin. A cool-mist humidifier can restore moisture to the air, helping to keep your skin hydrated. It’s also great for those of us who are congested during the winter months or suffer from seasonal allergies. Running a humidifier in your bedroom overnight can significantly improve your skin, especially when used in combination with overnight sleeping masks and moisturizers.
Take Lukewarm Showers
While it may be tempting to take hot showers on a chilly day, scalding water can strip your skin of essential oils, leaving it dry, tight, and irritated. Stick to lukewarm showers and limit your bathing time. After showering, gently pat your skin dry and immediately apply moisturizer to lock in hydration.
Skin Areas To Watch
Face Care
Your face, with its more delicate skin, is more exposed to the elements than other parts of your body. Take extra care of it; use a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or vitamin C to help retain moisture and brighten your complexion. If you have sensitive skin, avoid alcohol-based toners and opt for soothing face masks with natural ingredients. An overnight sleeping mask, which is extra moisturizing, is a great way to combat winter skin.
Lip Care
Winter is notorious for causing chapped lips. Keep a hydrating lip balm with SPF 15 (minimum) handy, and apply it throughout the day. For a hint of shine and sheer color, Mama Sol’s got you covered with LIPBRELLA™ 100% Mineral Tinted Lip Oil SPF 20. Avoid licking your lips, as this can worsen dryness. Stay hydrated and set timers to drink water if you need reminders. For extra protection, apply a thicker lip balm or lip sleeping mask before bed.
Hand and Foot Care
Hands and feet often suffer from extreme dryness in winter. Keep your hands moisturized with a rich hand cream, especially after washing them. Wearing gloves when going outside can prevent your hands from drying out. Coating your hands in a luxurious moisturizer before bed and wearing breathable gloves overnight can help. For your feet, apply a thick, hydrating foot cream before bed and wear socks to lock in moisture.
Body Care
Use a nourishing body lotion or oil after every shower to keep your skin soft and hydrated. Choose formulas that contain ingredients like shea butter or jojoba oil for deeper hydration. Pay special attention to areas prone to dryness, such as your elbows and knees.
Good Habits for Healthy Winter Skin
Your skin’s health is affected by more than just external products. Here are some lifestyle changes that can support healthy skin in winter:
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Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. That Stanley water tumbler isn’t going to drink itself. Adding frozen fruit or healthy electrolyte powders to boost vitamins is also a good motivator to drink more water.
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Eat Skin-Nourishing Foods: Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and walnuts, as well as vitamins A, C, and E, help support skin health.
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Protect Your Skin from the Elements: Wear protective clothing, including gloves and scarves, to shield your skin from harsh winds and cold temperatures.
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Avoid Long Exposure to Harsh Weather: This is an obvious one, but too much time exposed to cold winds and freezing temperatures can lead to skin damage. Try to limit your time outside and moisturize immediately after exposure. Try not to crank up the heat too much after being a frozen popsicle outdoors; this creates the perfect conditions for dry, itchy skin.
Natural Remedies for Winter Skin Care
Natural ingredients can be winter skin miracle workers. Some our favorite DIY treatments and go-to winter skin fixes:
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Honey and Oatmeal Mask: Mix honey and oatmeal to create a soothing mask that moisturizes and exfoliates. Rinse off with lukewarm water and gently pat skin dry, then apply face moisturizer.
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Coconut Oil: Use coconut oil as a full body moisturizer for deep hydration.
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Herbal Teas: Drinking herbal teas like chamomile or green tea can reduce inflammation and support skin health. Just make sure to drink a lot of water as well, since tea is a diuretic.
Bye, Winter Skin Woes
Winter skin care requires extra attention and effort, but your body’s biggest organ will thank you. Forget the flaky, red, irritated skin of past winters. With a few healthy habits and mindful daily hydration, you can keep your skin healthy, glowing, and hydrated even in the harshest winter conditions—unless you decide you want to climb Mount Everest, but that’s outside our area of expertise. Just listen to your body and give your skin the TLC it deserves.
