I don't know about you, but my skin and hair seem to go through it every winter. I already struggle with dark spots and breakouts, so that's one thing to deal with, but on top of that (when the weather gets colder), my skin also tends to get extra dehydrated and sometimes looks downright dull. While I definitely know a little bit more about how to combat these harsh changes than I used to, I still thought it might be time for some expert advice.
Bioelements education curriculum manager Emma Nowakowski says that protection is key this season. "Optimizing the skin's barrier function is essential, especially when the seasons transition," she says. "The change in climate both inside and outside can literally wreak havoc on your protective hydrolipid barrier. When temperatures drop and humidity levels sink, many people notice their skin becoming dry, itchy, tight, or flaky. This isn't random—it's a seasonal phenomenon called winter xerosis, the clinical term for cold-weather dryness rooted in barrier disruption and environmental stress. This low to no humidity in the atmosphere quite literally draws out critical surface moisture from our skin. So consider the following steps from now until the spring. Gentle cleansing, an emollient-rich moisturizer, comforting protective serums, and facial oils for dewy hydration from head to toe."
If you need a complete cheat sheet to restore your winter glow, keep reading below. I tapped Nowakowski and a couple other experts for their best advice on how to beat the winter uglies.
What causes your skin to lose its glow during winter?
There are so many contributors to dry, dull winter skin, but SkinSpirit aesthetician Samantha Duffy broke it down a little more for us. "Hydration and glow are affected by both internal and external insults," she explains. "Low humidity causes the skin to become drier and prone to sensitivity/irritation during the winter. Pair this with all of the inflammatory foods, beverages, and stress this time of year, and we have a recipe for dull, irritated skin."
Duffy says the best thing you can do this time of year is treat your skin holistically. Do what you can to reduce stress, monitor your sugar and alcohol intake, and most importantly, increase both your internal and external hydration levels. "Switch to a more lipid-rich moisturizer, and pare back on heavy exfoliation if you are noticing dryness or flaky skin," she adds. "Beyond the basics: Chemical peels, microneedling, BBL, laser treatments, etc. are all great ways to achieve even more of that glow you're looking for."
Master aesthetic nurse and aesthetician Terri Miller, BSN, RN, LE, also shared a few of her own tips. "[During] winter, my biggest focus is keeping my skin hydrated and consistent," she says. "I stay on top of my serums, moisturizer, and a hydrating mask a few times a week—that’s what keeps my skin glowing when it's cold and dry outside. I also use LED light therapy at least twice a week, which helps keep my skin calm, healthy, and radiant."
10 Glow-Restoring Items Experts Love for Winter
If you're on a budget this winter, Duffy recommends classic drugstore brands like CeraVe and Cetaphil for added moisture. This particular dermatologist-developed cream is a great winter staple. As a bit of extra advice, she also says, "Swap your gel or foam cleanser out for a cream cleanser from one of these brands [and be] sure to double cleanse at night. Add a hyaluronic acid hydrating serum to your routine and a heavier moisturizer morning and night. Gentle exfoliation two to three times a week can also help depending on your skin type. This can be done with a gentle scrub or liquid AHA/BHA exfoliant."
This mask deep cleans the pores with kaolin, bentonite, and rose clay. Miller is a huge fan. "I love the Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with rose clay once a week to gently smooth and brighten dull winter skin," she says.
I'm not even exaggerating when I say that celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden's products have changed my skin. It's so hard for me to believe that most of her products are oil-free because they're so incredibly hydrating and don't cause congestion for anyone who's acne-prone. This essence is a staple in my routine. I've tried plenty of good essences but none brighten, hydrate, and plump my skin like this one. It works instantly too. If I somehow find myself not using it for some time (huge mistake) and pick it back up, my skin looks radiant again after just a few days.
If you're acne-prone like me, you know it can be so hard to find a rich winter moisturizer that won't cause congestion. This moisturizer is another of Darden's products I can't live without because it does just that. It creates a hefty hydration barrier on the skin without being heavy or giving me blackheads (my surefire sign I'm using a moisturizer that's too heavy for me). It's also oil-free. If your skin is dry, don't worry—it's still probably rich enough for you to use too. It's truly a masterful formulation.
"With occlusive argan, squalane, and sea kale for dewy hydration, [it's the] perfect option to add more emollients into your current moisturizers." — Nowakowski
Miller also loves using this light, creamy cleanser from PCA Skin during the colder months. "Gentle and hydrating, it cleanses without stripping my skin," she says.
Miller calls this luxury serum from PCA Skin "a must" for winter because it's so plumping and hydrating on the skin.
"My favorite moisturizer for this time of year is Senté Dermal Repair Ultranourish Cream. This moisturizer is corrective. Its active agent HSA is delivered to the dermal layer of the skin using Senté's patented technology. HSA (heparan sulfate analog) is a water-binding molecule like hyaluronic acid, but in analog form, it is small enough to go into the dermal layer and stimulate the skin to produce more of its own repairing molecule, heparan sulfate, in that area instead of just working on the surface of the skin like hyaluronic acid. [It also] has more lipids and will help protect and replenish the surface of the skin as well as the deeper layers." — Duffy
"My favorite serum this winter is SkinBetter Science Mystro Active Balance. Mystro works like an adaptogen for the skin, helping to calm irritated skin, aid in barrier repair, and promote regeneration of elastin." — Duffy
If you need a potent yet gentle exfoliating serum for winter, IS Clinical's Active Serum is your ticket. Trust me, I know this serum is expensive, but I wouldn't recommend it if I didn't think it was truly the best, especially for the season. My skin is incredibly sensitive and it's hard for me to find exfoliants that I can tolerate using three to four times a week, but this one is perfect. It also works incredibly fast on breakouts and gives you an amazing glow with protecting antioxidants.