The fall and winter seasons can be tough on your complexion. As temperatures drop, winds pick up and indoor heating dries out the air, your skin can become dry and flaky. But with a smart approach to layering your skincare products, you can maintain a glowing, healthy complexion no matter what crazy weather Mother Nature throws your way.
What skincare formulas go on first, next and last? That’s the big question, and our guide has the answers. Check out our tips for products that work harmoniously, absorb effectively and will help maintain your skin’s natural balance in cold weather.
Table of Contents
Tip #1. A Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Soft, supple skin begins at the base level of cleansing, and even during an often-harsh winter season, a mild form of exfoliation is necessary to unclog the pores and remove dead skin cells. A foaming salicylic acid cleanser is an excellent option. A formula featuring a 2% concentration will be strong yet gentle enough to shed old, dull skin cells. To complement the cleanser, a gentle blend of peptides and botanicals helps calm and nurture skin during the harsh winter months while glycerin draws in and locks moisture to keep your complexion soft and hydrated.
Here’s another cleansing tip: Wash your face and body with lukewarm water when cold autumn and winter weather kicks in. Hot water can feel extremely relaxing, but skincare experts agree that hot water can disrupt the precious skin barrier by stripping away sebum as well as healthy fats and oils, including cholesterol, fatty acids and ceramides. Your skin barrier’s job is to keep moisture in and protect the outermost layer of the epidermis.
Tip #2. A Soothing Topical Vitamin C
After your morning cleanse, pat your skin dry, and apply a high-quality vitamin C serum to your face and neck. This serum is a powerhouse for all skin types, helping even out skin tone and support a healthy, radiant complexion.
Not every vitamin C topical is the same. Look for a powerful serum that also contains hyaluronic acid, a moisture-magnet that locks in hydration and delivers bouncy, plump skin. The beauty of a topical C serum is that it’s perfect for wintertime as it brightens the complexion, improves the feel of elasticity, addresses dark spots and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are superb anti-aging ingredients; both are naturally acidic and will not counteract each other even if applied in separate products.
Tip #3. A Rich, Protective Moisturizer
The next skincare product in the winter lineup is a “sophisticated” moisturizer for the ultimate protective shield. Your thirsty skin in cold weather is seeking major nourishment, and that is what an intense face moisturizer can deliver. This rich moisturizer helps lock in all the hydration from your previous layers, keeping your skin nourished and protected. Packed with shea butter, olive fruit oil and hyaluronic acid, it delivers deep moisture and strengthens your skin’s natural barrier.
Multiple clinical studies have found that certain occlusive ingredients, such as shea butter, can notably improve hydration and repair winter-related skin damage. Shea butter is naturally packed with antioxidants and fatty acids to protect and hydrate the skin.
Tip #4. A Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
Yes, you need it, even throughout the cold weather of fall and winter. Your face and neck cannot escape the damaging and powerful UV rays, even during a cloudy winter day. Sunscreen should be the final layering step in your morning skincare routine. Dermatologists from around the world agree that winter sun exposure can be extremely potent, especially when it reflects off of snow.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 is essential, even in colder months. If regular sunscreen leaves your skin feeling tight, look for one that combines sun protection with added moisturizers. This helps lock in hydration while shielding your skin from environmental stressors, keeping your complexion smooth, soft and radiant.
Tip #5. A Nighttime Layering Routine
Beautiful skin doesn’t just begin in the morning. What you’ve applied in the morning will carry you through the afternoon, but what about a nighttime layering routine in cold weather?
Yes, a routine before you go to sleep matters because your skin is entering a reparative phase. Start by removing your makeup if you wear it, along with your SPF, oil and grime from the day. Use a gentle foaming cleanser as recommended above that will not strip your natural oils or irritate the skin barrier.
Allow your skin to dry before applying your next layer, a spot treatment. Not everyone uses a spot treatment. This product can be used for acne, such as a retinoid or its cousin, retinol. These formulas work best at night, where they remain effective and stable, working in tandem with your body’s natural repair processes.
Hyaluronic acid is recommended at nighttime for added hydration during cold weather. That layer can be applied after your spot treatment.
Next, apply a peptide-powered eye cream to keep the thin, delicate skin around the eyes nourished with moisture while you sleep.
For the final step, consider a night moisturizing cream for the face and neck to replenish the complexion and strengthen the skin barrier. Some of these advanced formulas feature a combination of retinol complex, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, lactic acid and aloe for a visibly plumped, lifted and smoother complexion overnight.
Your Skin Can Rise Above Cold Weather and Low Humidity
Even when temperatures plummet and the wind bites, your skin doesn’t have to suffer. With the right high-quality products and thoughtful layering, you can keep it hydrated, radiant and resilient no matter what winter throws your way.
