For everyone seeking healthy, unbroken skin this winter, here are practical recommendations to prevent your skin from peeling or cracking (at least until spring arrives).
Winter—a season of drifting snow, cozy evenings by the hearth, carefree walks through frosty forests, and mugs of steaming hot chocolate. That is, if you happen to live in a Disney film. For most of us, winter means battling fierce winds and dodging freezing precipitation just to reach a room filled with hot, dry, moisture-depleting air. So much for those idyllic visions of playful snowball fights and rosy cheeks.
And as if contending with arctic conditions weren't challenging enough, you also have to deal with the damage it inflicts on your skin. Because winter skincare isn't something you can address reactively—like, “Oh, I'll handle it when a problem appears.” No, this isn't a spontaneous haircut you get after dreaming of a pixie cut. Winter skincare demands a proactive approach and consistent maintenance so you never have to scramble for a solution after damage has already occurred.
Rely on facial oils.
The real strength of a high-quality face oil lies in its ability to prevent moisture from escaping the skin. Since hydration is scarce during winter, and whatever moisture your skin manages to hold onto is quickly stolen by dry heater air, retaining as much as possible becomes essential. If you're willing, try replacing your usual daytime moisturizer with a lightweight oil such as rosehip to prepare your face for daily environmental stressors. (Applying oil under makeup also gives a gentle, radiant glow if that appeals to you.)
At night, definitely incorporate an oil into your skincare regimen if you haven't already. Not only does the oil work its restorative effects while you sleep, but it also seals in every product you applied beforehand, locking everything in securely overnight. Just remember to apply oil last (following the lightest-to-heaviest rule); otherwise, anything you put on afterward won't reach your skin.
To maximize your oil's benefits, also pay attention to your application technique. If your skin is raw or sensitive due to weather, the last thing you want is to slap product on carelessly and rub vigorously. (Actually, you should never do that, even with the healthiest skin.) Instead, place a few drops of oil in your palms and gently rub them together to warm the oil and activate its ingredients. Then press both hands against your face, as if giving yourself a very soft high-five, and repeat across your entire face for 30 seconds. Why such a lengthy application? It's gentler on delicate skin, boosts circulation, and drives the oil deeper without disturbing the carefully layered products underneath.
Select your moisturizer carefully.
If your skin needs extra hydration, feel free to add a moisturizer to your routine. A lightweight, high-quality moisturizer applied beneath an oil creates an unbeatable combination: the moisturizer addresses the skin's core hydration needs while the oil locks everything in. However, choose your moisturizer wisely: opt for one free of petroleum-derived ingredients such as paraffin wax, mineral oil, or anything ending in -eth. These substances can do more harm than good by temporarily hydrating the skin, only to clog pores and cause suffocation. Instead, look for a moisturizer with nourishing, gentle plant-based ingredients and an oil base. Water-based creams work fine in warmer weather, but an oil-based moisturizer helps keep beneficial ingredients inside the skin (see the first point for why!).
Exfoliate regularly.
Although it may seem counterproductive to scrub your skin when you're trying to keep it intact, exfoliation is a crucial part of winter skincare. As we strive to infuse as much moisture as possible into the skin, we must clear a path for those products to penetrate. If dead skin cells accumulate, that path becomes blocked, leaving our skin parched. Using oils and moisturizers consistently won't help if you aren't starting with a primed surface, so remember to exfoliate at least once a week.
If you prefer a physical exfoliant, choose a powder that you can mix with moisture. These effectively remove dead skin without stripping away natural oils and offer a customizable experience regarding moisture content. If your skin feels particularly flaky, adding less water requires a bit more scrubbing effort. Want to use it as a mask, too? Replace water with Manuka honey, let it sit for a while, then gently slough it away. You can also use this type of exfoliant on your lips, neck, chest, hands—anywhere you want smoother skin.
Reconsider your cleanser.
Your skin already faces enough dehydrating factors—don't willingly add another by using the wrong cleanser. If your regular face wash contains an acid (glycolic or salicylic) or produces excessive foam, consider rotating cleansers. Use a hydrating, non-drying milky cleanser with moisturizing ingredients in the morning and your standard one at night. Or alternate every other day. Find a pattern that works for you, or simply listen to your skin and wash it with a product suited to its current condition.
- Read more on winter beauty + wellness here!
