Cold air, wind, snow and indoor heat can all pull water from your skin and disrupt its protective barrier.

The result?

More transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dryness, tightness, redness and irritation. The good news: winter skincare doesn’t need to be complicated.

5 things your skin actually needs in winter

Moisturize while your skin is still damp. 

Don’t wait until your face is completely dry. Applying moisturizer shortly after washing helps trap water in the skin before it evaporates. Look for humectants like glycerin to attract water, plus emollient and occlusive ingredients that help keep it there.

Add an occlusive layer when conditions get rough. 

Creams, ointments and balms help slow water loss better than lightweight lotions—which can be especially useful on cheeks, lips and other exposed areas before heading into cold, dry or windy conditions. Ingredients like petrolatum & dimethicone as especially great. If you’re like me and you prefer more “breathable” or lighter occlusives (particularly during the day), mango butter, squalene, and triglycerides are great options as well. If regular moisturizing lotions or creams aren’t your thing, or you just want to keep things simple you can even apply that occlusive right over slightly damp skin to lock it down in fewer steps. But remember – damp, not wet, because…ew.

Dial back the aggressive stuff—including aggressive cleansing. 

If your skin is already red, tight or wind-chapped, this might not be the time to scrub. Consider dialing back exfoliation, chemical and physical. Your cleanser matters, too: you want to remove sweat, sunscreen, makeup and grime without leaving your face feeling stripped or tight. An oil-based cleanser can be especially useful for breaking down oil-soluble sunscreen and makeup, and a well-formulated cleanser can still lather and rinse clean while leaving skin feeling refreshed rather than squeaky-clean. If your face feels tight after washing, your winter cleansing routine may be doing more than you need it to.

Protect your skin from the weather—not just the sun. 

Cover exposed skin when you can, especially in wind and extreme cold. And yes, you still need sunscreen. Snow can reflect UV radiation, so SPF matters on ski days just as much as it does in July. Think of your winter setup as layers: moisturizer, a protective balm where you need it, SPF, then your actual physical layers. Don’t forget about those lips, knuckles, & cuticles!!

Fix the air around you, too. 

Your skincare routine can only do so much if you spend all day in bone-dry heated air. A humidifier adds moisture back into your indoor environment and can help reduce winter dryness. And skip the steaming-hot shower: keep showers short and warm rather than hot, then moisturize immediately afterward.

Most importantly, enjoy the damn season. Taking care of your skin should be quick and easy, and fit into your life…not the other way around.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology — Winter Skin Survival Kit · American Academy of Dermatology — Dermatologists’ Tips for Relieving Dry Skin · American Academy of Dermatology — Cold Weather and Your Skin · Cleveland Clinic — How to Prevent Dry Skin This Winter · Mayo Clinic — Dry Skin: Diagnosis & Treatment