Winter Skin Survival: The Ultimate AM-PM Skin Care Routine For Dry Skin In Winter

For many, winter is the best period of the year, but it is also a nightmare, especially for individuals with dry skin complications. The cold climate, low humidity, and indoor heating cause the skin to lose its moisture, making it dry, scaly, sometimes itchy, and cracked.

It’s important that your skin remains healthy, well moisturised, and fresh, especially during this period, and this can only be achieved with the right beauty regime. Welcome to this ultimate dry skin care routine in winter, which I have put together to help you understand what you need to do to prepare your skin for the chilly season. Let’s get started!

Table Of Contents

1. Why Does Winter Cause Dry Skin?

2. How Do You Take Care of Dry Skin In Winter? What Is A Good AM-PM Routine For Dry Skin?

3. What Is The Best Skincare Routine For Winter?

4. Is Vitamin C Good For Dry Skin In Winter?

5. Dietitian's Recommendation

6. The Final Say

7. FAQs

8. References

Why Does Winter Cause Dry Skin?

Winter conditions reduce the skin's ability to retain moisture due to:
 

• Low Humidity Levels: The air outside holds less moisture in winter, making it harder for the skin to stay hydrated.
• Indoor Heating: Central heating systems further dry out the air, causing the skin to lose moisture.
• Hot Showers: While they feel comforting in the cold, hot showers strip the skin of its natural oils.
• Harsh Winds: The wind can damage the skin barrier, leading to increased moisture loss.

Signs of Winter Dry Skin:

• Tightness and discomfort
• Flakiness and peeling
• Itchiness or irritation
• Rough texture
• Cracks, especially on hands, lips, and heels

Best Ingredients For Winter Skincare:

• Humectants: Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Aloe Vera.
• Emollients: Shea Butter, jojoba Oil and Avocado Oil
• Occlusive: Petroleum jelly, squalane and lanolin
• Skin Barrier Restorers: Ceramides, niacinamide and cholesterol

Also Read: Which Deficiency Causes Dry Skin? Know 6 Vitamins And Minerals To Consider! 

How To Take Care of Dry Skin In Winter? What Is A Good AM-PM Routine For Dry Skin?

Creating a step-by-step winter skincare routine is essential for maintaining healthy, radiant skin during the colder months. Follow some routine regimes to achieve a winter skincare routine for glowing skin. 

In this section, we have provided an easy, dry winter skincare routine. Following this routine will help protect your skin from harsh weather and keep it looking its best!

Here is how you can take care of dry skin in winter from AM to PM:

Morning (AM) Routine: Protect And Hydrate

The goal of the morning routine is to prepare your skin for the day by locking in moisture and protecting it from environmental aggressors like UV rays and cold winds.

1. Cleanse

Your skin doesn’t need a deep cleanse in the morning unless you’ve applied heavy overnight products. A gentle, hydrating cleanser can help you remove dirt. In winter, you can rinse with lukewarm water.

Examples:

• Hydrating Cleanser
• Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
   

2. Hydrating Toner Or Mist

Replenish hydration as soon as you can after cleansing. A toner or mist helps prep the skin for better absorption of serums and moisturisers. Use toners with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

Examples:

• Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Toner
   

3. Serum: Boost Hydration

A lightweight serum with hyaluronic acid or glycerin helps lock in water and plump the skin. Serums are essential to a winter skincare regimen because they deliver concentrated active ingredients deep into the skin, addressing issues like dryness, dullness, or fine wrinkles. 

Using a hydrating or nourishing serum can help restore lost nutrients, increase hydration, and improve the skin's overall appearance. During the colder months, the skin tends to lose moisture and can seem lacklustre.

Examples:

• Hyaluronic Acid cream 2% + B5
• Hyaluronic Acid Serum
   

4. Moisturise

We cannot stop emphasising the benefits of moisturisers during winter! Use a rich, emollient moisturiser to strengthen the skin barrier and seal in hydration. Dryness, flakiness, and irritation are caused by the air's tendency to deplete the skin's natural moisture content during the winter. 

A quality moisturiser keeps the skin hydrated, maintains its softness and smoothness, and repairs the skin's natural barrier. It gives the skin the vital nourishment it needs to stay comfortable and healthy while avoiding redness and cracks.

Examples:

• A moisturiser with ceramides, shea butter, or squalane.
   

5. Sun Protection

Even if it’s cold or cloudy, UV rays can cause damage. So, sunscreens are essential even in winter. Choose a sunscreen with added moisturising properties. Daily use of sunscreen helps prevent sunburn and premature ageing and lowers the chance of skin cancer. 

One of the easiest and most efficient methods to preserve long-term skin health and avoid sun-related damage is to include sunscreen in your daily regimen. 

Examples:

• Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

Also Read: Ban the Tan With 10 Effective Skin Tanning Treatments At Home

6. Lip Balm

To avoid chapping, apply a nutritious lip balm. It helps relieve inflammation, forms a barrier that keeps moisture in and stops dehydration. Shea butter, vitamin E, and natural oils are among the nutritious elements found in many lip balms, offering extra hydration and aiding in healing.

Examples:

• Lip Balm
• Lip mask for overnight hydration

Evening (PM) Routine: Repair And Replenish

The evening routine focuses on restoring moisture, repairing the skin barrier, and prepping your skin for overnight recovery.

1. Remove Makeup And Cleanse

If you’ve worn makeup or sunscreen during the day, start with a gentle double cleanse. Cleansing can remove the dirt you've been carrying on your face all day.

• Choose between an oil-based cleanser or micellar water for cleansing
• Continue using a moisturising facial cleanser.

Examples:

• Oil-Based Cleanser
• Hydrating Cleanser
   

2. Exfoliate (1-2 Times A Week)

Exfoliating assists in eliminating dead skin cells, enabling moisturisers to penetrate more effectively. During the colder months, the skin can become dry and flaky, and exfoliating helps to smooth out rough patches and prevent the buildup of dead skin. This promotes a brighter, more even complexion and helps reduce the appearance of dry, dull skin.

Example:

• A gentle chemical exfoliant with lactic acid or mandelic acid.
• Homemade exfoliators such as rice flour.
    

3. Hydrating Toner Or Essence

After cleansing, rehydrate your skin with a toner or essence. In order to prepare your skin for moisturisers and serums, a proper toner moisturises the skin, tightens pores, and aids in the removal of any leftover pollutants. Aloe vera and glycerin are two calming and nourishing components found in many toners that offer an additional layer of hydration and defence against the drying effects of cold air.  

Examples:

• Any hydrating toner 
   

4. Serum: Repair And Hydrate

Choose a serum with skin-repairing and hydrating ingredients like ceramides, peptides, or hyaluronic acid. Strong components like retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid are frequently found in serums. These ingredients help preserve and restore the skin, keeping it balanced, smooth, and radiant even in harsh winter weather.

Examples:

• Intensive Hydration Serum
   

5. Moisturisers Rich And Nourishing

Nighttime is the best time to use a heavier moisturiser or cream to nourish the skin deeply. It gives the skin the vital nourishment it needs to stay comfortable and healthy while avoiding redness and cracks. By including a thick, moisturising moisturiser in your routine, you may avoid the discomfort that comes with cold conditions and preserve the best possible skin health. 

Examples:

• Ultra Repair Cream
• Moisturising Cream

You can also try ToneOp Care’s The Secret to Radiant Skin Combo, which is prepared from the seeds of the Neem tree. This natural supplement is rich in Antioxidants And Essential Fatty Acids that support healthy skin, hair, and immune function.

Also Read: 15 Incredible Benefits of Apples for Skin: Dive into Red And Green Apples Benefits and Their Nutritive Values 

6. Overnight Treatment (Optional)

For extra hydration, apply an overnight sleeping mask or facial oil. Sleeping masks, in contrast to ordinary moisturisers, are usually made with stronger, thicker components that build a barrier to protect the skin, retaining moisture and halting water loss overnight. This allows the skin to heal and regenerate, becoming supple, full, and radiant in the morning.

Examples:

• Go for 100% plant-derived squalene
   

7. Lip Care

Applying a thick layer of a healing lip balm overnight can achieve overnight lip repair and hydration. Shea butter, vitamin E, and natural oils are among the nutritious elements found in many lip balms, which offer extra hydration and aid in healing. If you incorporate lip balm into your routine, your lips will remain nourished, pleasant, and supple all day long.

Examples:

• Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
• Or Any thick lip balm of your choice

ToneOp Care’s Skin 360 Tablets are an age-defying 360 skincare for glowing skin, reduced pigmentation, treating acne and skin disorders and promoting even skin tone.

Also Read: 20 Benefits Of Cinnamon For Skin With DIY Skincare Remedies & Side Effects To Watch Out For! 

What Is The Best Skincare Routine For Winter?

Hydration, protection, and skin barrier repair are the main goals of the finest winter skincare regimen. Low humidity and cold temperatures dehydrate the skin, increasing its vulnerability to dryness, flakiness, and irritation.

Use a mild cleanser that doesn't remove natural oils as the first step in your morning regimen. Follow with a hydrating toner or essence containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which attract moisture to the skin. Apply a serum, such as one with hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, to boost hydration and strengthen the skin barrier. Use a rich moisturiser with emollients (e.g., shea butter or ceramides) to lock in moisture and repair the skin. Don’t forget sunscreen with at least SPF 30, even in winter, to protect against UV damage.

At night, cleanse to remove impurities, then use a hydrating serum and a heavier moisturiser or overnight mask. For extra care, add a facial oil like squalane to seal in hydration. Exfoliate gently once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells, but avoid overdoing it to prevent barrier damage. Adding a humidifier indoors and staying hydrated also support winter skin care. This routine helps maintain healthy, soft, glowing skin during the colder months.

Is Vitamin C Good For Dry Skin In Winter?

Vitamin C is excellent for dry skin in winter, provided it’s properly hydrated. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that brightens the skin, reduces pigmentation, and stimulates collagen production, which strengthens the skin barrier. A strong skin barrier helps retain moisture, a critical factor for dry skin.

In winter, free radical damage from UV rays and environmental stress (like cold winds) can worsen dryness and sensitivity. Vitamin C neutralises these free radicals, preventing further damage. However, it can sometimes feel dry or irritating if applied to dry or compromised skin.

To use vitamin C effectively in winter, apply it as a serum after cleansing and moisturising. Pair it with a rich moisturiser containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or shea butter to prevent any potential dryness. Losing sunscreen over vitamin C in the morning is essential, as it enhances UV protection. For those with very dry or sensitive skin, consider using vitamin C every other day or alternating with deeply hydrating serums to balance its effects.

Also Read: Is It Safe To Take Glutathione For Skin Lightening? Discover How It Works, Best Supplements, and Amazing Benefits! 

Dietitian's Recommendation

I suggest an increased intake of water and other products that replenish the skin for winter dry skin care. Drinking water through nutritionally rich foods such as cucumber, oranges, and watermelons ensures the skin remains moist. 

Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, flax seed, and walnuts help to repair the skin’s outer barrier, thus minimising dryness. Almonds and avocados, loaded with vitamin E, help prevent skin damage due to oxidation, while vitamin C found in oranges helps increase collagen synthesis for youthful skin. 

Zinc in Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds is essential for healing various ailments, and water should be taken in plenty from whole grains to avert dehydration. Drinking foods high in other antioxidants, such as chamomile or green tea, helps reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin.

                                                                                        Dt. Akshata Gandevikar

The Final Say

It is not very challenging to take care of dry skin, especially during the cold season of winter. Using the appropriate products, having a schedule, and making a few small changes can save your skin and get natural softness during cold days. Always be careful not to touch your face roughly, drink a lot of water, rub your skin regularly with warm creams, and keep away from the chilling winter winds. 

With this dry skin care routine in winter, give the dry skin the boot and welcome hydrated and radiant skin this season!

FAQs

1. How often should I moisturise in winter?

Moisturise at least twice a day, morning and night. Reapply to exposed areas, like hands and face, after washing to maintain hydration. For those wondering what to use for dry skin in winter, consider adding nourishing oils or creams that contain ingredients like shea butter and hyaluronic acid.

2. Are hot showers bad for dry skin?

Yes, hot showers strip natural oils, worsening dryness. Opt for warm showers under 10 minutes and moisturise immediately after.

3. How can I prevent chapped lips?

Use a hydrating lip balm with petroleum jelly, shea butter, or beeswax. Exfoliate gently with a sugar scrub once a week.

4. Does drinking water help dry skin in winter?

Yes, staying hydrated improves skin moisture from within. Pair water intake with topical hydration to maximise results.
 

References

• https://www.mcaffeine.com/blogs/news/am-to-pm-skincare-routine-for-dry-skin-in-winter?srsltid=AfmBOooV-uOmmOXZm7yotEpZVGGfR1Cf2aFduce5irMIeC07yExbojBS
• https://www.nivea.in/advice/winter-skincare-routine-for-extremely-dry-skin?
• https://www.business-standard.com/health/top-5-winter-skincare-routines-for-your-dry-skin-to-keep-it-healthy-nc-124111400753_1.html
• https://plumgoodness.com/blogs/skincare/skin-care-routine-for-dry-skin?srsltid=AfmBOoocL5p-BigfadOJEkNFsJpAmpqhYbt0YkIjJthNOcN0B95tu_X6

About ToneOp Care 

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