The pro-recommended 5-step routine to beat dry, dull skin this winter

Winter has a way of shifting your skin out of its comfort zone. Even if you aren’t typically dry, cold air and indoor heat can pull moisture from the surface faster than your skin can keep up. The result: tightness, flaking, redness and a dull look that appears overnight.

This frustrating skin experience is common and totally normal. Every skin type depends on a balance of oil and water to stay flexible, and when winter tips that balance, your barrier needs a little more support. With the right formulas (and a little timing strategy), you can keep skin hydrated, smooth and resilient until warmer weather returns.

Why winter makes skin feel drier

Lower humidity outdoors and dry heat indoors mean moisture can easily escape from your skin. As that loss builds, it can weaken the hydrolipidic barrier, a natural, protective film made of water, sweat and sebum that covers the skin to preserve moisture and support overall function.

When that barrier is compromised, hydration is harder to maintain and irritation slips in more easily. Skin looks duller, feels rougher and becomes more sensitized. Conditions like eczema and rosacea can flare, and even breakouts can feel harder to manage.

A winter routine should focus on restoring moisture, reinforcing the barrier and keeping everything as calm and balanced as possible.

The pro-approved 5-step winter routine

step 1: start with a hydrating cleanser

Skip the hot water (only use lukewarm) and switch to a hydrating cleanser that comforts as it cleans. The right cleanser cushions the skin with emollients, so you never get that tight, “stripped” feeling after rinsing. This helps preserve natural oils, keeps the barrier supported and sets the tone for lasting hydration.

try: moisture positive cleanser

step 2: refresh with a nourishing toner mist

A winter essential, refreshing with a nourishing toner helps restore balance after cleansing and gives the skin a quick wave of hydration so your next layers absorb more evenly. This crucial step helps soften visible dryness and keeps your routine working efficiently.

try: power peptide

step 3: exfoliate gently and consistently

Winter isn’t the time for aggressive exfoliation. Instead, reach for a chemically exfoliating formula that smooths dullness and texture without disrupting the barrier with physical stimulants. This helps in removing the dry, flaky layer of your skin (without irritation), revealing radiance and can even help boost the performance of your moisturizer.

try: quick refiner

step 4: strengthen with an emollient moisturizer

This is where the real transformation happens. A rich moisturizer replenishes essential oils and reinforces the hydrolipidic barrier, keeping skin soft, comfortable and better protected from the elements. Pro tip: apply your moisturizer within three minutes of cleansing for the best barrier support.

try: really rich moisture

step 5: seal it all in with a dewy facial oil

Cold air accelerates moisture loss, so finishing with an occlusive facial oil is key. A few drops create a light, dewy seal that helps your moisturizer do its job longer. It keeps hydration from slipping away and leaves your skin feeling cushioned, comfortable and protected.

try: dewluxe

extras for extra-dry winter skin

a hyper-saturating overnight mask

For nights when your skin feels especially tight or depleted, a deeply hydrating overnight mask, like hydroplunge, delivers a moisture-immersive boost while you sleep. It dives into those dry, thirsty layers to help your skin bounce back from cold air and indoor heat. It’s an easy bonus step for anyone who needs a little more comfort and hydration overnight.

a replenishing serum for hormonally dry skin

A replenishing serum helps restore hydration deep within the skin’s layers while helping improve elasticity and reduce dry line visibility. For hormonally dry skin from perimenopause or menopause, layer iconic hyaluronic under your moisturizer to reinforce hydration at every level of the skin and smooth the look of dry lines.

FAQs: Winter skin

Why does my skin feel drier in winter, even if I’m not usually dry?

Winter lowers humidity outdoors and adds dry heat indoors, which makes moisture escape from your skin more easily. This weakens the hydrolipidic barrier, leading to tightness, flaking, redness and a dull look, even if dryness isn’t normally an issue for you.

How can I keep my skin hydrated in winter?

Focus on formulas that restore moisture and reinforce the barrier. Use a hydrating cleanser, nourishing toner, gentle chemical exfoliator, rich moisturizer and an occlusive facial oil. Timing also matters – apply moisturizer within three minutes of cleansing for the best results.

What’s the best type of cleanser for dry winter skin?

A hydrating cleanser with emollients is ideal. It cushions the skin as it cleans, so it never feels tight or stripped, helping preserve natural oils and keeping the barrier supported from the first step.

Do I need a toner in my winter skin care routine?

Yes. A nourishing toner helps restore balance after cleansing and adds a quick wave of hydration that improves the absorption of every layer that follows. It also softens visible dryness for a smoother routine.

Should I exfoliate during winter?

Yes, but gently. Choose a chemical exfoliator that smooths dullness and texture without disrupting the barrier. This removes dry, flaky buildup and reveals radiance without irritation, while boosting the performance of your moisturizer.

What can I add if my skin is extremely dry in winter?

Use an overnight hydrating mask that deeply saturates parched layers as you sleep. It helps skin bounce back from cold air and indoor heat, giving you extra comfort and moisture when your barrier feels depleted.