Cold weather can leave your skin dry, flaky, and irritated, but the right skincare routine can keep it hydrated, soft, and radiant all season! Here’s your step-by-step winter skincare routine to lock in moisture and protect your skin from harsh conditions.
🌿 Morning Routine
1. Gentle Hydrating Cleanser 🧼
✅ Avoid foaming cleansers that strip moisture
✅ Use cream- or oil-based cleansers with hydrating ingredients (like glycerin or ceramides)
🔹 Try: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Toleriane
2. Hydrating Toner or Essence 💦
✅ Choose a toner with hyaluronic acid, aloe, or rose water
✅ Helps prep the skin to absorb moisture better
🔹 Try: Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner, Klairs Supple Preparation Toner
3. Serum for Extra Hydration 🌟
✅ Use a hyaluronic acid serum to draw moisture into your skin
✅ Apply on damp skin to enhance absorption
🔹 Try: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Vichy Mineral 89
4. Rich Moisturizer 🧴
✅ Opt for a thicker cream instead of a lightweight lotion
✅ Look for ceramides, shea butter, and squalane to strengthen your skin barrier
🔹 Try: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
5. Sunscreen (Yes, Even in Winter!) ☀️
✅ Use SPF 30+ to protect against UV rays, even on cloudy days
✅ Choose a hydrating sunscreen with niacinamide or glycerin
🔹 Try: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF 50, EltaMD UV Clear
🌙 Night Routine
1. Double Cleanse (If Wearing Makeup) 🧼
✅ Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup & sunscreen
✅ Follow with a hydrating cream cleanser
🔹 Try: Heimish All Clean Balm, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
2. Exfoliate (2-3x a Week) 🔄
✅ Use a gentle chemical exfoliant (like lactic acid or PHAs) to remove dry, flaky skin
✅ Avoid harsh scrubs that can irritate winter skin
🔹 Try: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA, Paula’s Choice BHA Liquid
3. Nourishing Serum 🌿
✅ Use hyaluronic acid + vitamin E or niacinamide for hydration & repair
✅ Apply facial oil (like rosehip or squalane) if your skin feels extra dry
🔹 Try: The Ordinary Rosehip Oil, Biossance Squalane Oil
4. Night Cream or Sleeping Mask 💤
✅ Choose a rich moisturizer or sleeping mask to lock in hydration overnight
✅ Look for peptides & ceramides for skin barrier repair
🔹 Try: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Extra Winter Skincare Tips ☃️
💧 Drink plenty of water – Hydration starts from within!
🚿 Use a humidifier – Prevents dry indoor air from zapping moisture from your skin
🛁 Take lukewarm showers – Hot water can strip natural oils
💄 Switch to a hydrating lip balm – Prevent chapped lips (try Vaseline or Laneige Lip Mask)
