When the coldest months of the year roll around, I switch up more than just my seasonal wardrobe. I also have to shake up my skincare. It’s nothing major, but a few subtle adjustments to help counteract the chilly temperatures, dry winds, and constant exposure to indoor heaters. And what do all of those things have in common? They dry out your skin! So a routine that’s focused more on hydrating and plumping keeps my skin glow-y instead of chapped. My winter skincare routine breaks down into five steps: cleansing, adding a Vitamin C serum, moisturizing, a hydrating oil, and exfoliating. Of course, you should always finish with sunscreen and drink a lot of water.
Cleanser:
Cleansing is the first step to healthy skin. As it gets chillier, I use a gentler cleanser that won’t strip my skin of essential oils and even hydrates as it cleans.
Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Cleanser 150, Dr. Nigma Cleanser, Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm are the best around.
Vitamin C Serum:
Vitamin C serums are great to use year round, but I really notice a difference in the winter when my skin can get dull. It will make your complexion brighter and more radiant, as well as helping with fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Sunday Riley, Skinceuticals, Olehenriksen are a few of my favorites.
Moisturizers:
Using a good winter moisturizer will lock in and enhance your skin’s natural moisture, while also improving the smoothness and fine lines. Also, it just feels good! Who likes that tight, dry feeling that comes with dry skin? No one.
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream, and Garnier SkinActive Gel-Cream moisturizer is a real high/low mix.
Hydrating Oils:
I recently learned about the magic of hydrating oils. It’s perfect for winter skincare, because it’s just one extra step that really helps to lock in all the moisture from your other products. And your skin will look extra dewey and glow-y.
These three are some of my favorites, and have saved my skin all season: Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil, and Vintners Daughter.
Gentle Exfoliants/ Masks
Gentle exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells accumulated from dry winter air, leaving your skin looking more radiant and helping your post-cleaning moisturizer absorb better.
Depending on your exact needs, you should be able to find something here: Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator, Goopglow Microderm Instant Exfoliator, or U Beauty The Bio Active Treatment.
If you want to make your life super simple Barbara Strum offers a kit which includes all these products plus more. Who doesn’t love one stop shopping?
Shop the rest of our winter skincare routine favorites below:
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.
