Your winter skin care routine can be the difference between dry, dull skin and radiant, glowing skin.
Winter is gorgeous—snow gently falling on the ground, cozy warm sweaters, lots of soup, and warm soft light. But when it comes to your skin, winter can feel like punishment.
Cold air strips moisture. Wind chaps. Heaters dry everything out. Indoor heating + outdoor cold = a stress cycle your skin wasn't designed for.
But the good news is, your winter skin care routine doesn't have to be complicated. It's really only about one thing—reinforcement. During the winter, your skin needs more support, more nourishment, more protection. That's it.
Fun fact: I’m actually a licensed esthetician. And although I don’t currently work in a salon, a common question that seemed to come up a lot during December and January was "Why is my skin suddenly so angry?"
And the answer isn't that you're doing something wrong. It's that during the winter, your skin demands a shift. And once you understand that shift, radiant winter skin is completely achievable!
Quick note: I use barefaced skin care products in my routine, so you’ll see that referenced throughout this post a lot. I’m not an affiliate, just genuinely sharing what I use. They are a bit pricey, but I have seen really great results in my skin!
Your Winter Morning Routine
Winter mornings are about gentle cleansing + targeted treatment + sun protection. Here's why this order matters.
Step 1: Gentle Cleanse (Use Water or A Light Cleanser)
Don’t use hot water. I know it feels amazing, especially when it’s so cold outside, but hot water opens up your pores and strips the natural oils your skin desperately needs right now. Instead, use your cleanser with lukewarm water—or even just water—and your hands.
If your skin feels sticky or you used a treatment product overnight, a gentle, hydrating cleanser works. Look for something creamy, not foamy. Foaming cleansers are clarifying, but winter skin needs gentle.
My go-to: I just use water in the mornings. (I use cleanser at night) My skin seems to do much better when I don’t strip the natural oils off my skin early in the day.
Great options: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, or TULA Skin Care Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser.
Step 2: Toning
Toners used to mean astringent strips, but not anymore. A modern toner preps your skin to absorb the next layers of skin care and adds a hydration boost right when your skin needs it.
This step is subtle but very powerful. It's like priming a wall before you paint—everything that comes next just works better.
My go-to: I use Barefaced Toning Pads. (I use something else at night) They're gentle, hydrating, and prep my skin without stripping.
Other options: Thayers Witch Hazel, Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, or MAC Fix+.
Step 3: Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is non-negotiable all the time in my opinion, but especially during the winter. It brightens, protects against environmental stress, and helps your skin build resilience. In winter, when everything feels dull and tired, vitamin C brings your complexion back to life.
Apply to damp skin for better absorption. This is where you'll see visible results—more glow, more even tone, more radiance by day three.
My go-to: Barefaced Vitamin C Serum. It doesn't oxidize quickly, and I've seen real results with this!
Great options: Timeless Vitamin C Serum, Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum, or The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23%.
→ After this step, you would add any specific treatment products for your skin.
Step 4: Moisturizer
This is non-negotiable — even if you have oily skin. Winter demands a richer moisturizer than summer. You're looking for something with peptides, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid—ingredients that lock moisture in and repair your skin barrier.
Don't be afraid of a heavier formula. Your skin will probably thank you.
My go-to: Barefaced Hydrating Moisturizer. It's rich without feeling greasy, and it's formulated to support barrier health. I use it every morning.
Other Great options: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (the tub, not the pump), Aveeno Ultra-Calming Moisturizer, or Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint Lotion.
Step 5: SPF (Yes, Even in Winter)
This is the step most people skip, and it's the step that matters most. UVA and UVB rays reflect off snow. Winter sun is just as damaging as summer sun. SPF protects against aging, dark spots, and skin cancer.
My go-to: Barefaced Tinted SPF. I love that it's tinted—it evens out my skin tone and gives me a subtle glowy look without foundation. SPF 30 minimum; SPF 50 if you're outdoors for an extended time.
Other Great options: EltaMD UV Clear, Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Block, or Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen (Sport formula for winter activity).
Your Winter Night Routine
During the night is when your skin repairs itself. Your skin cells turn over faster at night, so this is where you invest in transformation. A good nightly winter skin care routine is the difference between managing winter skin and healing it.
Step 1: Thorough Cleanse
You should always double cleanse, especially if you've had SPF and makeup on all day. The goal is clean skin—no leftover makeup, sunscreen, or environmental debris. This is your reset for your skin.
My go-to: I use a vitamin C facial wash twice. The first wash removes the day; the second ensures my skin is truly clean and ready for treatment.
Great options: Banila Co. Clean It Zero, Herbivore Cleansing Oil, or Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser.
Step 2: Toning (Evening Edition)
Same concept as morning, but you can use a toner with slightly more active ingredients since you're not rushing out the door. Witch hazel is soothing and toning for your skin without being harsh. So it’s good for your skin, plus it’s cheap, which is a win-win for me!
My go-to: Witch hazel toner. It balances my skin and preps it beautifully for the layers that follow.
Other great options: Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Facial Toner, Pixi Rosewater Toner, or Caudalie Beauty Elixir.
Step 3: Facial Oil
This is where winter magic happens. A facial oil seals in hydration, calms irritation, and supports your skin barrier. Jojoba oil is my choice because it's closest to your skin's natural sebum—your skin recognizes it and absorbs it beautifully.
Apply to damp skin; the water helps it spread and absorb. A little goes a long way.
My go-to: Jojoba oil. I use it every night. My skin is combination (oily in my T-zone, and somewhat dry everywhere else), and jojoba oil never clogs my skin or makes me feel greasy in the morning.
Other great options: Rosehip Seed Oil, Squalane (The Ordinary or Biossance), or Argan Oil.
Step 4: Retinol (2–3 Times a Week)
Retinol is the closest thing skincare has to a magic wand. It accelerates cell turnover, smooths texture, and builds collagen. Winter is actually a great time to use retinol because you're layering moisturizing products that buffer any potential irritation.
Start slow—2–3 times a week. Use a small amount. Build up over weeks, not days.
My go-to: Barefaced Retinol. It's encapsulated for gentleness, so it plays well with the rest of my routine.
Great options: The Ordinary Retinol 0.2%, Drunk Elephant A-Retinol, or Neutrogena Retinol Pro Plus.
Step 5: Add More Moisturizer (Optional)
If your skin is really dry, layer a heavier moisturizer over your facial oil. Your skin won't be oily by morning—it will be hydrated and glowing.
I typically skip this step because my oil + retinol routine is enough. But if your skin is super dry in the peak of winter, I'd add an extra layer.
Great options: Weleda Intensive Facial Cream, Augustinus Bader Rich Cream, or Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer.
For Different Skin Types
Oily skin: Use lighter oils (squalane instead of jojoba), skip the heavier night cream, and adjust your cleanser to a gel formula.
Dry skin: Double your moisturizing layers, use richer oils, and consider adding a hydrating mask 1–2 times a week.
Combination skin (like me): This is the sweet spot for flexibility. You can always use lighter products on your T-zone, richer products on your cheeks and jawline, but who wants to be that complicated haha! I often use the same routine everywhere, but apply more moisturizer to any dry spots.
Sensitive skin: Stick to fragrance-free, minimal-ingredient products. Introduce one new product at a time, waiting a couple of days between additions. If your skin is reactive right now, simplicity is your best friend.
Three Winter Skin Care Routine Boosters
Beyond your winter skin care routine, these three things shift everything:
1. Drink A Lot More Water 🙂
Your skin is 64% water. In winter, when everything is dry, your body focuses on internal hydration before your skin. Drink more water than you think you need. Aim for at least half your body weight in ounces daily. You'll notice clearer, plumper skin within a week!
2. Humidify Your Space
A humidifier adds moisture back into dry indoor air. Your skin will thank you. Run one in your bedroom at night; your skin in the morning will feel different.
3. Mindset Shift
A winter skin care routine is a part of self-care, not correction. You're not fixing a problem; you're honoring your skin's seasonal needs. That small shift—from fixing to supporting—changes how you show up for your routine. And when you show up with intention, your skin will respond.
The Bottom Line
A winter skin care routine isn't complicated. It's all about one thing: meeting your skin where it is right now. Winter demands more hydration, more protection, more nourishment. Once you lean into that, radiant winter skin isn't just a fantasy anymore—it's inevitable.
Start with the routine that feels right for you. Add one product at a time. Notice what your skin tells you. Trust the process.
Your skin is designed to heal. Winter just means you get to participate more actively in that healing.
Ready for glowing skin this winter? Save this post, share it with a friend who needs a new winter skin care routine, and let me know which step made the biggest difference for you. I'd love to hear how your skin responds.
And if you're curious about more winter beauty, check out my Winter Makeup Looks post for the full seasonal refresh.
Remember: You were made on purpose, with purpose—and that includes taking care of the skin you're in.
Start with the winter skin care routine that feels right for you, and watch what happens when you stop fighting winter and start honoring what your skin actually needs.
