How to adjust your skincare routine for winter

Key Takeaways

• Low humidity and indoor heating can draw moisture from skin, so visible dryness often shows up more in winter.

• Shorter warm showers, a gentle cleanser, and moisturizer on damp skin are where the American Academy of Dermatology starts.

• Swapping a lotion for a cream or ointment, plus a humidifier at night, may help skin look and feel more comfortable.

• A broad-spectrum sunscreen still belongs in the routine every day.

Why skin can look drier in winter

Cold weather changes the air around your skin. A 2023 study on winter indoor environments in Skin Research and Technology points to low relative humidity, which it says can dry out skin in winter, and to indoor heating devices, which the authors say “promote moisture loss.” Cleveland Clinic notes the same pattern, saying dry skin “is often worse during the winter.”

So a routine that works in July can start to feel thin by January. The changes below are small, and most of them come from the AAD’s tips for relieving dry skin.

Change how you cleanse and moisturize

Start in the shower. The AAD suggests keeping baths and showers to five to 10 minutes in warm water, closing the bathroom door, and patting skin dry with a towel. It also recommends a gentle cleanser and products labeled “fragrance-free.”

Moisturize while skin is still damp, then again whenever it feels dry. The AAD also says ointments and creams “add more moisture to skin and are more effective than lotions.” It suggests looking for one or more of these ingredients: Jojoba Oil, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Lactic Acid, Lanolin, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, or Shea Butter. If Hyaluronic Acid is already in your routine, how to use Hyaluronic Acid on damp skin covers the timing.

Add moisture to the air, and keep the sunscreen

Indoor air is the other half of winter skin care. The AAD recommends a humidifier, ideally in the bedroom while you sleep, and cleaning it regularly to prevent mold.

Sun protection doesn’t take the season off either. The AAD’s dry-skin advice still includes a broad-spectrum sunscreen, and it’s worth applying every day through the winter. If you’re choosing a new one, mineral vs chemical sunscreen explains the two main types.

Frequently Asked Questions

What helps chapped-looking lips in winter?

The AAD suggests lip balm or petroleum jelly. If a lip balm stings or tingles after you apply it, switch to one that doesn’t.

Why do hands feel so dry in winter?

Frequent contact with water and cold, dry air can both make it worse. The AAD recommends gloves outdoors and for wet chores, and applying a hand cream after each hand washing.