A Winter Skincare Routine That Actually Helps Dry Skin

Short answer: A good winter skincare routine is mostly about holding on to moisture. Dermatologists suggest short, warm showers and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. S01 Follow with a thicker cream or ointment applied while your skin is still damp. S01 S02 Ease off exfoliating acids, keep wearing sunscreen and run a humidifier while you sleep. S02 S03 Most dry winter skin improves with these changes. If yours is cracked, bleeding or painful, see a dermatologist. S03

Cold air outside and dry heat inside make it harder for skin to hold moisture. S02 The result is often tight, itchy skin, chapped lips and rough hands, and dry air can make fine lines look more noticeable. S02 You don't need a whole new shelf of products. As Elizabeth Kiracofe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, puts it, you don't have to change every product, but you should switch to heavier creams when it's cold. S02

If you're still building a basic routine, start with our simple skincare routine by skin type, then use the winter adjustments below.

Your winter routine at a glance

Step 1: Cleanse gently

Keep showers short and warm. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends limiting baths and showers to five to ten minutes in warm, not hot, water. S01 Closing the bathroom door while you shower can help hydrate your skin more. Afterward, pat your skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing. S01

Use less cleanser. Choose a gentle cleanser and use just enough to remove dirt and oil, without a thick lather. S01 On your body, you can limit cleanser to the areas that need it, such as your armpits and groin. S01 Deodorant, antibacterial and scented soaps can be too harsh for dry, sensitive skin. S02

Look for "fragrance-free," not "unscented." Dermatologists recommend products labeled fragrance-free. Products labeled "unscented" can still contain chemicals that mask the smell of other ingredients, and those can irritate dry skin. S01 Our fragrance-free vs unscented guide explains the difference in more detail.

Step 2: Ease off harsh actives

Winter is a good time to pull back on products that can dry or irritate skin. Dr. Kiracofe recommends cutting back on alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) products in winter. S02 The AAD also says to stop using products with alcohol (other than hand sanitizer), fragrance or retinoids if your skin is dry. S01

Don't scrub away flakes. A common mistake is exfoliating dry, peeling skin in winter, which strips more moisture. Moisturize instead. S03

If you use a prescription retinoid or acne treatment, ask your dermatologist before changing it. If your skin is very dry, your dermatologist can prescribe or recommend a moisturizer that provides what your skin needs. S01

Step 3: Moisturize on damp skin

This is the step that makes the biggest difference.

Timing matters. Apply moisturizer right after you shower or wash your face, while your skin is still damp. S01 S03 It traps water in the skin and keeps it from evaporating. S03 Reapply after washing your hands and whenever your skin feels dry. S01

Go thicker. Ointments and creams add more moisture and are more effective than lotions. S01 Creams preserve more water than lotion, and ointments even more so. S03

How to match your moisturizer to your skin

AAD dermatologists suggest adjusting by skin type: S03

• Normal skin: A lotion is enough for most younger people with seasonal dryness. Perimenopausal people and everyone 50 and older should use a cream. S03
• Dry skin: Skip lotion for a cream or ointment. S03
• Oily skin: Too much moisturizer can clog pores. Consider skipping it or using a lighter gel. S03
• Combination skin: Treat your face like two faces. Moisturize the dry areas and go lighter on the oily T-zone. S03

If breakouts are a concern, choose a moisturizer labeled non-comedogenic, which means it doesn't block pores. S03

Ingredients to look for

The AAD lists these ingredients as helpful in creams and ointments for dry skin: S01

• Jojoba oil, mineral oil and shea butter
• Dimethicone and petrolatum
• Glycerin and hyaluronic acid
• Lactic acid and lanolin

Ceramides, which are waxy lipids that help hydrate skin, are another good choice. S03 For more on one of these, see our hyaluronic acid guide.

Patch test anything new. Winter skin is more easily irritated, so try new products on a small area first. Our guide to how to patch test skincare walks through it. If anything burns, stings or irritates, tell your dermatologist. S01

Step 4: Keep wearing sunscreen

Sun damage doesn't stop in winter. The AAD recommends daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, along with shade and sun-protective clothing. S01 S03

Snow reflects the sun's damaging rays, which can raise your chance of sunburn. S06 Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days. S06 Don't forget your hands. Apply sunscreen to any skin that isn't covered when you're going outside. S04

Give hands and lips extra care

Hands

Frequent washing and sanitizer are hard on hands. Antimicrobial cleansers can be more drying, and alcohol-based gels can strip skin's natural oils. S04 AAD-quoted dermatologist Diane Berson, MD, recommends applying moisturizer every time you wash or use sanitizer, and using it more often in cold weather. S04 Gloves help too. They keep hands dry while washing dishes and protect skin from cold, dry air outside. S01

For an overnight treatment, soak your hands in warm water or milk, apply a cream or ointment, then put on cotton gloves before bed. S04

Lips

Lip licking makes chapped lips worse, because saliva dries them out as it evaporates. S05 Apply a non-irritating lip balm several times a day and before bed. For very dry, cracked lips, a thick ointment like white petroleum jelly seals in water longer than waxes or oils. S05 Outdoors, use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher that contains titanium oxide or zinc oxide. S05

While your lips are chapped, the AAD suggests avoiding products with these ingredients: S05

• Camphor, eucalyptus and menthol
• Flavorings such as cinnamon, citrus, mint and peppermint
• Fragrance and lanolin (lanolin can help dry skin elsewhere, but the AAD lists it as one to avoid on chapped lips)
• Octinoxate or oxybenzone, phenol, propyl gallate and salicylic acid

If a lip product burns, stings or tingles, it's irritating your lips, not "working." Stop using it. S05 Most chapped lips improve in two to three weeks with good care. S05

Fix the air and fabrics around you

Run a humidifier. Indoor heat takes moisture out of the air. S02 Dr. Kiracofe suggests a filtered, cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom, and the AAD recommends running it while you sleep. S01 S02 Clean it regularly to prevent mold. S01

Choose soft fabrics. Tight clothing, wool and polyester can irritate dry skin. Loose cotton or silk is gentler. S01 S02 If your skin gets raw, switch to a laundry detergent labeled fragrance-free. S02

A sample winter evening routine

Putting it together, a night routine for dry winter skin might look like this:

1. Shower or wash briefly in warm water with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, then pat dry. S01
2. Apply a cream or ointment within a few minutes, while skin is still damp. S01 S03
3. Skip exfoliating acids most nights while your skin is dry. S02 S03
4. Treat hands and lips. Use a hand cream with cotton gloves, and a thick lip ointment. S04 S05
5. Turn on a clean humidifier in your bedroom. S01 S02

In the morning, rinse or cleanse gently, moisturize and finish with sunscreen and an SPF lip balm. S01 S05

When to see a dermatologist

See a board-certified dermatologist if your skin is still dry after following these tips. S01 Also see one if dryness becomes painful, cracked, bleeding or stinging. S03 Ongoing dry skin can be a sign of an underlying condition such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or kidney disease. S01 Lips that don't heal in two to three weeks can have other causes, including allergies, yeast infections or a precancerous condition called actinic cheilitis. S05 A dermatologist can also prescribe treatment when inflammation or dryness has gotten out of control. S02

Frequently asked questions

How should I change my skincare routine for winter?

Keep it simple. Switch to a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, take shorter warm showers and use a thicker cream or ointment on damp skin. Cut back on exfoliating acids, keep wearing SPF 30 and run a humidifier at night.

What is the best moisturizer for winter?

For most dry winter skin, a cream or ointment works better than a lotion. Look for ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum, dimethicone or shea butter, and choose a fragrance-free formula. Oily skin may do better with a light gel.

Should I still exfoliate in winter?

Exfoliate less, if at all, when your skin is dry. Dermatologists say exfoliating dry, peeling skin in winter strips more moisture. They recommend cutting back on alpha and beta hydroxy acids and moisturizing instead.

Do I need sunscreen in winter?

Yes. Sun damage happens year-round, and snow reflects UV rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on uncovered skin, including your hands, and a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher.

Why is my skin so dry in winter?

Cold outdoor air and dry indoor heat lower humidity, making it harder for your skin to hold moisture. Hot showers, harsh soaps and frequent handwashing add to the problem.