When the temperatures drop, your skincare routine needs to rise to the occasion. Think cold winds, low humidity, indoor heaters — all working overtime to dry out your skin. But with a few smart swaps and additions, you can keep your glow going strong through winter.
Here are 10 dermatologist-backed winter skincare essentials — plus the ingredients to look out for when shopping this season.
1. Start with a Gentle, Hydrating Cleanser
Winter air strips your skin of moisture, so ditch harsh, foaming cleansers that can exacerbate the issue. Choose a sulfate-free cleanser that contains hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid. These cleansers cleanse without disrupting your skin barrier, leaving it soft and balanced.
2. Seal the Deal with a Rich Moisturiser
Light lotions won’t cut it in cold weather. Switch to a thicker moisturiser rich in shea butter, urea, squalene, and ceramides to strengthen your skin’s lipid barrier. These ingredients lock in moisture, prevent water loss, and protect against winter flaking and irritation.
3. Don’t Skip Sunscreen — Even on Cloudy Days
UV rays don’t take winter breaks. In fact, UVA rays penetrate clouds and glass, accelerating skin aging. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily, applying it in the morning and reapplying every 2-3 hourly. Look for added benefits like niacinamide or vitamin E to support your skin in harsh weather.
4. Layer in a Nourishing Face Oil (If Your Skin Needs It)
Face oils like argan, rosehip, and jojoba provide an extra hydration boost for dry skin. They replenish lost lipids, restore suppleness, and protect against transepidermal water loss. If your skin is acne-prone, stick to these non-comedogenic options or skip this step entirely.
5. Show Your Under-Eyes Some Extra Love
The under-eye area is more delicate and prone to dryness in winter. Use an eye cream with hyaluronic acid, peptides, or vitamin E to hydrate, reduce puffiness, and prevent fine lines caused by dehydration and cold air.
6. Don’t Neglect Your Body — Use a Deeply Nourishing Cream
Your face isn’t the only part of your body needing hydration. Switch to urea-based body creams or ones with cocoa butter to moisturise rough areas like elbows, knees, and heels. These help maintain softness and prevent itchy, scaly patches.
7. Lock in Moisture Overnight with Occlusives
Before bed, apply a layer of petroleum jelly or a thick balm over moisturised hands and feet. This locks in hydration and helps heal dry, cracked skin while you sleep, especially helpful if you’re exposed to heaters or cold winds throughout the day.
8. Protect Your Lips from Chapping and Cracking
Chapped lips are a winter classic — and not in a good way. Use a lip balm with beeswax, lanolin, or shea butter for daily protection. Top it with petroleum jelly to seal in moisture and soothe cracks before they worsen.
9. Exfoliate Weekly to Remove Flaky Skin Gently
Dry, dead skin can pile up in winter and block the benefits of your products. Use a gentle AHA/BHA exfoliating serum once a week to smooth texture and boost product absorption. Avoid physical scrubs that can damage your barrier.
10. Add Hyaluronic Acid Serum to Boost Hydration
Layer a hyaluronic acid serum under your moisturiser while your skin is still damp. This powerhouse ingredient pulls water into the skin, giving you that fresh, plump look. For best results, choose serum formulas that also contain peptides, niacinamide, vitamin C, or exosomes for multi-layered skin benefits.
Wrap-Up:
Adapting your skincare to match the season is one of the smartest ways to protect your skin's health and radiance. By focusing on hydration, barrier repair, and gentle care, you can maintain a glowing complexion even in the harshest winter months.
At Dr. Su, we believe skincare should work with your environment, not against it. That’s why our dermatologist-formulated products are designed to nourish, protect, and deliver visible results throughout the year.
Discover our XO Plump Party Serum packed with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and plant-based exosomes for deep winter hydration and skin-plumping results. Your barrier will thank you.