Essential Winter Skincare Routine Steps For Healthy Skin

During the winter months, your skin needs extra care. This is because factors like cold weather, indoor heating, and low humidity can make it dry and uncomfortable. 

The chilly air outside and the warmth inside can both take away moisture from your skin, leaving it dry and flaky. Meanwhile, low humidity makes the air drier, which can cause irritation and tightness. 

Without enough moisture, your skin might start feeling rough and itchy. During winter, develop a special skincare routine to protect your skin and provide it with additional moisture. 

Here are some effective steps you can take to ensure your skin stays hydrated and healthy once the cold rolls through.

1) Use a Gentle Cleanser

To protect your skin in the winter, switch to a mild, hydrating cleanser. 

A mild cleanser cleans your skin without making it feel tight or flaky, helping it stay smooth and comfortable during harsh winters. 

This is because harsh cleansers can remove the natural oils your skin needs to stay soft and healthy. Cold and dry weather can also cause your skin to lose more moisture, so using a natural face cleanser helps keep your skin from drying out even more. 

For a gentle product, try Kinship’s Naked Papaya Milky Enzyme Cleanser. It effectively removes dirt and oil while replenishing moisture and strengthening the skin barrier.

2) Hydrate with Serums

Cold weather and dry indoor air can cause your skin to lose moisture, making it feel dry and tight. 

Fortunately, natural face serums with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and red algae can keep your skin moisturized. They work by attracting water to your skin and locking it in, so your skin stays hydrated for longer. 

Our Brightwave Face Serum contains red algae, which improves hydration while protecting against future skin damage.

Applying this serum before your moisturizer can give your skin an extra boost of moisture. This will help prevent dryness and flakiness during winter. It can also keep your skin soft and healthy, even in tough weather conditions.

3) Apply a Rich Moisturizer

Natural face moisturizers are particularly important in the winter. During this time, it is better to use thicker, cream-based moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated and protected. 

 Supermello Gel Cream Moisturizer has a lightweight formula that also deeply moisturizes. It is great even for eczema-prone skin. Or try Super Rich Ceramide + Collagen Cream - a thick ultra-hydrating barrier repair cream perfect for dry, dehydrated skin.

The cold air and indoor heating can dry out your skin, so a thicker moisturizer gives it the deep hydration it needs. Cream-based moisturizers are better for winter because they form a protective layer on your skin, locking in moisture.

This also helps protect your skin barrier, which can be damaged in harsh weather. By using a thicker moisturizer, your skin stays soft and healthy and is less likely to feel dry or irritated during the winter months.

4) Add Face Oils for Extra Nourishment

Face oils are helpful regardless of the season, but they really shine during the winter. They are especially helpful if you have very dry skin since they can lock in moisture and create a protective barrier on your skin. 

When the air is cold and dry, your skin can lose water, making it feel rough and flaky. However, by applying face oils, you add an extra layer that helps seal in moisture, keeping your skin hydrated for longer. 

If you want a face oil with a deeply nourishing and moisturizing formula, try Kinskin. This Ceramide Face oil soothes and restores skin.

Face oils also protect your skin from the harsh weather, stopping it from getting too dry. This can make your skin feel softer and smoother, even during the coldest winter days.

5) Don’t Skip Sunscreen

Even in the winter, UV rays from the sun can still damage your skin, so wearing sunscreen is important all year long. Just because it is cold or cloudy does not mean the sun cannot harm your skin. 

In the winter, the sun’s rays can be just as strong—especially if they reflect off snow. To keep your skin safe, use vegan mineral sunscreens every day. This will protect your skin from UV damage and harmful chemicals all year round.

Kinship’s Self Reflect Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen is gentle on the skin. It protects sensitive skin and strengthens the barrier while moisturizing it.

6) Focus on Lip and Hand Care

In the winter, hydrating lip balms and hand creams keep your lips and hands from getting chapped or cracked. Cold weather and dry air can make these areas very dry, causing them to hurt and feel uncomfortable. 

Lip balms help keep your lips soft by adding moisture and protecting them from the cold. Our Supermelt Jelly Lip Mask has melt-in hydration that gives you smooth, soft, and supple lips.

Meanwhile, hand creams do the same for your hands, stopping the skin from becoming rough or cracked. By using these products regularly, you can protect your lips and hands, keeping them smooth and healthy during the winter months.

7) Weekly Skin Treatments

Incorporating weekly treatments like hydrating masks or exfoliation into your skincare routine can really help during the winter. 

Hydrating masks give your skin a boost of moisture, making it feel soft and smooth. Meanwhile, exfoliating once a week helps get rid of dead skin cell buildup that makes your skin look dull. When you remove these dead cells, it also helps your other skincare products (like moisturizers and serums) absorb better into your skin.

8) Stay Hydrated

When it is cold outside, people sometimes forget to drink water, but staying hydrated will also help your skin stay soft and smooth. 

Water helps your body keep your skin moisturized from within — so if you do not drink enough, your skin can become dry and flaky. By drinking plenty of water each day, you support your skin’s health, making it easier to fight dryness and stay looking fresh.

 

Additional Tips For An Effective Winter Skincare Routine

We’ll discuss additional winter skincare tips you can try during the cold months below.

Ingredients to Use

Certain ingredients work together to keep your skin moisturized and protected during the cold, dry winter months.

Below are some hydrating and calming ingredients that are great for winter skincare products.

• Hyaluronic Acid: This ingredient helps your skin hold onto moisture by drawing water into it, keeping your skin hydrated and plump.
• Glycerin: Glycerin is a powerful hydrator that attracts water to your skin, helping it stay soft and smooth.
• Ceramides: These help protect your skin barrier, locking in moisture and preventing dryness and irritation.
• Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is calming and soothing, helping to reduce redness or irritation caused by cold weather.
• Shea Butter: Shea butter provides deep moisture and forms a protective layer to stop your skin from drying out.
• Oat Extract: Oat extract is very calming and helps soothe irritated or itchy skin, making it great for sensitive skin in winter.

Reduce Acid Strength

During the winter, it is a good idea to lower the strength or frequency of exfoliating acids. 

Exfoliating too much can cause your skin to become too dry, especially when the weather is cold and the air is dry. As such, using milder exfoliants or doing it less often helps protect your skin’s moisture. 

This way, you can still remove dead skin cells without making your skin feel tight or irritated. By being gentle with exfoliation, your skin will stay healthy and soft, even in the winter months.

Incorporate a Humidifier into Your Routine

When the air is dry, it takes moisture away from your skin, leaving it flaky and uncomfortable. Indoor heating systems can further dry out the air in your home, which can make your skin feel dry and tight. 

As such, a humidifier is a great way to add moisture back into the air, helping your skin stay hydrated. It works by releasing water vapor, which makes the air less dry. 

Alternatively, you can improve air moisture at home by placing bowls of water near heaters.

Add an Overnight Mask or Treatment

Using hydrating overnight masks or treatments is a great way to help your skin repair itself while you sleep. During the night, your skin works to fix any damage, and adding an overnight mask gives it extra moisture to help with this process. 

These masks are usually thicker and packed with ingredients that hydrate and nourish your skin. While you rest, the mask works to lock in moisture, making your skin soft and refreshed by morning.

Our Dreamwave Overnight Serum also helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and strengthens the skin barrier while you sleep.

Exfoliate Gently and Less Frequently

During the winter, exfoliate less often to avoid drying or irritating your skin. Cold weather can already make your skin sensitive, and too much exfoliation can cause more irritation. 

Instead of exfoliating every day, try doing it once or twice a week. You can also switch to gentler forms of exfoliation, like using a mild scrub or an enzyme-based exfoliant. 

Look for products made for dry skin, like those with lactic acid or fruit enzymes, which are softer on the skin. This way, you can keep your skin smooth without causing dryness or irritation.

Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out

Diet plays an important role in keeping your skin healthy during the winter. Eating the right foods can help your skin stay hydrated and elastic. 

Healthy fats, like those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, give your skin the moisture it needs to stay soft. Omega-3s, found in fish like salmon and in flaxseeds, help keep your skin smooth and reduce dryness. 

Vitamins, especially vitamins C and E, support skin health by helping repair and protect it. You can get these vitamins from fruits, vegetables, and nuts. 

Eating a balanced diet with these nutrients will help your skin stay healthy during the cold months.

Consult a Dermatologist for Persistent Dryness

If your skin problems continue even after following a good skincare routine, it would be better to seek professional help. 

A dermatologist can give you personalized advice and treatments that are right for your skin. They can help with issues like dryness, irritation, or redness that will not go away on their own. 

Sometimes, skin problems may also need special creams or medicines that only a doctor can prescribe. By talking to a dermatologist, you can get expert care to keep your skin healthy and prevent any serious issues. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Is Skincare Important in Winter?

Skincare is important in winter because cold weather, dry air, and indoor heating can strip moisture from your skin, causing dryness, irritation, and flakiness. A good winter skincare routine helps keep your skin hydrated, protected, and healthy.

Is Salicylic Acid Good in the Winter Season?

Salicylic acid can be helpful in winter for treating acne and removing dead skin cells, but it may cause dryness. Use it sparingly and follow up with a good moisturizer to prevent irritation during colder months.

Are Hot Showers in Winter Good for Your Skin?

Hot showers in winter can feel comforting, but they are not good for your skin. The hot water strips away natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. As such, it is better to use lukewarm water to protect your skin's moisture barrier.

Key Takeaways on Essential Winter Skincare Routine Steps For Healthy Skin

Maintaining a proper winter skincare routine protects your skin from the harsh effects of cold weather, dry air, and indoor heating. 

Consider switching to natural skincare products, like from Kinship.

We offer hydrating cleansers, rich moisturizers, mineral sunscreens, and incorporating treatments like serums and masks. These will help keep your skin soft, healthy, and well-nourished. 

Do not forget to drink plenty of water and have a good diet to help manage your skin’s hydration from within. You should also consider using a humidifier to maintain moisture levels while you are indoors. 

If your skin problems persist, talk to a dermatologist to get a skincare routine that is better tailored to your needs.