8 Best Winter Skincare Tips for a Dewy Glow This Season
A winter skincare routine can help ward off dry, flaky skin this season so you can preserve (or reclaim!) your summer glow.
You can almost feel the changing of the seasons—especially in your skin. Dryness, flaking, dullness, and maybe even a little redness or sensitivity are all common winter skin concerns. Concerns you can easily fix with our top winter skincare tips.
Ahead, we share the tips, routine, and best winter skincare products for keeping your skin radiant throughout the chilly, moisture-sapping winter months.
Glow Up With These Winter Skincare Tips
It’s that time of year when cold air and low humidity leave you with dry, dehydrated skin. Even when you’re indoors, factors like hot showers and indoor heating also contribute to dryness. Here are some winter skincare tips for keeping your skin happy through the colder months.
#1: Switch to a Cleansing Balm
If you have dry skin, foaming cleansers can strip skin of natural oils that help support and protect the skin barrier. Instead, opt for a gentle cleansing balm. Gently massage it into dry or wet skin using circular motions then wipe away with a clean, damp washcloth.
Look for ingredients like aloe and glycerin (humectants) as well as shea butter (emollient) as these work together to attract moisture and lock it in for long-lasting hydration.
Sensitive skin types will also benefit from cleansing balms as they’re less irritating and drying than foam cleansers. Don’t forget to look for a fragrance-free formula!
#2: Use a Richer Moisturizer
A rich, ulta-hydrating moisturizer is a winter skincare essential. The cold weather and dry air can leave skin feeling dry and tight. To counteract this, swap your lighter face cream for a richer one during the winter months.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing a moisturizer that contains glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and natural oils like jojoba oil. This goes for your body too. You’ll need a thicker body lotion to combat dry skin on your body, which is also common in the colder months.
#3: Glow Up With Vitamin C
You can benefit from using vitamin C products all year-round. Especially in the winter, vitamin C helps brighten a dull complexion and boost collagen production all while shielding your skin against environmental stressors.
Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that can work wonders for your skin. It naturally boosts skin’s radiance while combating fine lines and hyperpigmentation for a beautiful winter glow. Dermatologists recommend wearing it underneath your daily SPF to maximize UV ray protection.
#4: Buff Away Winter Dullness With Exfoliation
You really need to find a good balance with exfoliation so that you can enjoy the almost instant benefits without winding up with dry, irritated skin.
In the winter months, skin cell turnover slows down. So it’s important to exfoliate 1-2 times per week to encourage cell turnover for smoother, brighter skin.
Choose gentle acids like glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid which chemically exfoliate the skin by dissolving dead cells on the skin’s surface. Besides instant smoothing and brightening effects, regular exfoliation enables your other skincare products to work harder.
#5: Apply Hydrating Serums to Damp Skin
When using serums containing humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera, it’s a good idea to apply them to damp skin instead of dry skin.
Here’s why: Humectants like hyaluronic acid pull moisture into the skin. If it’s applied to dry skin, it can actually draw moisture from your skin rather than hydrating it. For optimum benefits, always apply your humectant serums to damp skin then seal everything in with a moisturizer rich in ceramides or shea butter to prevent moisture from escaping.
#6: Still Wear Sunscreen
We get it. It’s dull and gloomy so why would you still need to wear SPF? The fact is, your skin is still exposed to harmful UV rays even on cloudy days. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day protects your skin from these damaging rays that can contribute to premature signs of aging and skin cancer.
#7: Upgrade Your Shave
Winter skincare doesn’t only apply to the face. Your body gets dry, flaky, and maybe even a little itchy too. If shaving is a regular part of your self-care routine, make sure you’re using products that nourish and hydrate your skin so you can enjoy silky smooth, pampered skin instead of itchy, irritated skin.
Upgrade your shave with a professional routine featuring shave butters and after shave treatments to support a close, comfortable shave that combats cuts, razor burn, and ingrown hairs.
#8: Shorten Your Showers
Long, hot showers can dry out your skin. To avoid this, stick to shorter showers (approx 5 mins) and make sure to keep the water lukewarm. When you’re done, apply your body lotion or butter while your skin is still a little damp to seal in hydration. This way, your skin will feel super soft and smooth all day long.
Even more so if you have dry skin conditions like eczema, cooling down your bath or shower as well as shortening it can really make a difference to your skin.
How to Change Skincare Routine for Winter
So, whats the best winter skincare routine? It's all about making some adjustments to meet your skin's seasonal needs.
Winter brings colder climates, drier air, and the need for a skincare overhaul to keep your complexion glowing and hydrated. Start by switching to a creamy or oil-based cleanser to gently cleanse without stripping natural oils. Ingredients like aloe, ceramides, niacinamide or glycerin help maintain hydration.
Moisturizing is also key in winter. Upgrade your face cream or lotion to a rich cream containing shea butter or hyaluronic acid for added nourishment. For extra hydration, layer a serum under your moisturizer. Hydrating serums with ingredients like hyaluronic acid act as a water boost, keeping your skin plump and smooth.
Don’t forget your SPF! The winter sun and reflective snow can still expose your skin to harmful UV rays, so a lightweight sunscreen is essential daily.
You can also combat the dryness of indoor heating by running a humidifier in your bedroom or workspace. This simple step can help your skin stay hydrated, even in the driest climates.
If you’re using retinol or other retinoids, consider reducing their frequency to avoid irritation. A board-certified dermatologist recommends alternating retinoids with hydrating treatments or layering them over a moisturizer to minimize dryness.
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Best Skincare Products for Winter
So, what’s the best winter skincare routine 2024? We’ve rounded up the best routines for both your face and body to stay soft, smooth, and glowing all winter long.
1. Truly’s Glazed Donut x Glass Skin Skincare Set
So much hydration is packed into these four formulas. You get: a cleansing balm, two serums, and a face cream that lock in moisture for a soft, supple skin and a long-lasting dewy glow. Enriched with powerhouse hydrators like jojoba oil, niacinamide, aloe vera, and shea butter.
2. Truly’s Dulce De Leches Routine
Combat dry, itchy skin on your body this winter with this ultra-hydrating, body firming set. It comes with an exfoliating body polish, serum, and cream to tone and hydrate with hyaluronic acid and cocoa butter.
3. Truly’s Unicorn Babe Routine
Just because skin gets dry in winter doesn’t mean you don’t get blemishes too. This swirly sumptuous trio features a plumping lip balm, hydrating body butter, and heart pimple patches to leave you soft, blemish-free, and smelling like a cotton candy dream this winter.
By following these winter skincare tips every day, your skin will get the care and nourishment it needs to thrive through the chilly months. Make sure you switch to a winter skincare routine ASAP to reclaim your summer glow.
