Winter Skincare Tips For Your Specific Skin Type
Why You Need To Warm Up To Your Winter Skincare Routine
We don’t have to tell you that the colder months can wreak havoc on your skin—after all, this is the time of year when we’re all wondering if it would be weird to slather our entire bodies in olive oil (answer: not that weird) or rub pure butter into our cuticles (winter baking FTW).
Luckily for all of us, though, we’re living within the perfect trifecta of skincare problem-solving.
First, we have more choices than ever with regard to the products we use on our faces and bodies—there’s an ideal winter skincare routine for every kind of complexion, with thousands of wonderful new beautifying products launched every year. Second, we’re in the delightful midst of a self-care revolution, with a new focus on the importance of giving back to the bodies that serve us 24/7. And finally, thanks to the rise of the cozy-AF Danish hygge trend, there’s never been a better time to make your winter skincare routine a real priority.
So cuddle up, buttercup...we’ve rounded up our favorite winter skincare tips by skin type.
The one-size-fits-all solution
Like you, your skin is 100% unique. But there are some surprisingly simple household steps you can take to help maintain a healthy moisture balance throughout the winter, regardless of skin type. Start by firing up that humidifier—it’s your first line of defense against dry winter air! Next, no matter how tempting that hot, steamy water might seem this time of year, be sure to wash your face ONLY in lukewarm water; this prevents the stripping of your skin’s natural oils. Apply your moisturizer immediately after cleansing to lock in hydration. Be sure to drink enough water (about 64 oz. per day, according to experts) and eat foods that are rich in Vitamin C and zinc...both of which support the development of collagen and elastin.
Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
This time of year can make even the most balanced complexions feel like a summer weekend in Death Valley. And why is that, you ask? It’s science, silly: the colder temperatures and lower humidity outside—particularly when paired with intermittent blasts of overheated interior air—can leach quite a bit of the natural moisture from your skin.
If your skin’s already on the dry side, you’ll need to modify your winter skincare routine to prevent chapping and cracking. First, take a look at your winter skincare products. If you’ve got a regimen that effectively manages your dry skin during the rest of the year, it may be as simple as adding a few drops of replenishing oil to your regular moisturizer; we absolutely love Herbivore’s Orchid Facial Oil, which helps to improve your skin’s natural barrier function.
If you find that you’re still experiencing seasonal dryness, you might also try adding a hydrating treatment like Tata Harper’s ultra-revitalizing Moisturizing Mask to your routine 2–3 times per week. And of course, make sure you’ve always got WOKE BAE Whenever Moisture Spritz on hand for an instant boost of dewy awesomeness, anytime.
If your skin’s still feeling dry and tight, you may want to consider switching from a traditional cleanser to a gentle cleansing balm. Although compared to other winter skincare essentials, your cleanser is technically on your skin for the least amount of time, its job is to remove dirt and other impurities...and this can involve harsh detergents that can exacerbate dryness.
Winter Skincare Routine for Combination Skin
Oh, the joys of combination skin: a little flakey, a little outbreakey, and a LOT annoying. When you’re living with two complexion types at the same time, it can feel as if you’re chasing a parade of different winter skin problems around your face. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Only you will know for certain which side of the combo-skin coin needs more attention at any given moment. But if you make only one adjustment to your winter skincare routine this season, make it regular exfoliation. For combination skin, the ultimate goal is balance; you’ll need a product that dissolves dead skin cells and other flakey bits, so they don’t mix with excess oil to create congestion and breakouts.
We recommend choosing a product with gentle chemical exfoliants; our NIGHT RANGER Overnight Renewal Mask is formulated with natural lime pearl acids and retinol to reveal a brighter, more balanced complexion while you sleep. If you find you’re still experiencing dryness, feel free to dab a little extra on more arid areas; it also contains the pure plumping power of hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture to the skin without heaviness or greasiness.
Winter Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Did you know: ultra-dry times like winter can actually trigger oily skin to produce MORE oil? Ditto for dedicated oil-stripping products like harsh cleansers and alcohol-based toners. So, even when you feel like a human butter puddle, the solution isn’t to deny your skin, but to KEEP RIGHT ON NURTURING IT. There’s probably a life lesson in there, too.
The trick is to give your complexion exactly what it wants—and that can be the hard part. If you have oily skin, the best moisturizer for winter will likely be a light water-based serum or gel hydrator rather than a heavier crème formula. Our current fave in this category is Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream; despite being called a “cream,” it’s actually an oil-free gel that smells like a bouquet of red roses. To manage shine and curb oil-induced breakouts throughout the day, ditch your toner for some old-school blotting papers like Boscia’s Black Charcoal Blotting Linens.
And finally, if your winter skincare routine for oily skin doesn’t include a purifying mask...might we ask pourquoi? Our TWILIGHT ZONE Tahitian Detox Mask contains resurfacing black pearl powder and oil-absorbing bamboo charcoal powder, which work together to bring skin into a beautiful balance. The result is skin that’s naturally soft and nurtured, without feeling slick—in the depths of beanie season, and beyond.