How to Create a Winter Skincare Routine

Skin Laundry’s Chief Medical Officer shares tips for keeping the skin healthy and hydrated when temperatures drop.

Just as seasonal changes call for a change in wardrobe—from short sleeves to light layers and heavy coats—the best skincare regime for cold weather takes dropping temperatures into account. Even in climates that aren’t particularly cold, winter ushers in drier air, an uptick in indoor heating and shorter days that provide less sun exposure, which in turn lowers our natural levels of Vitamin D. All these factors can have adverse effects on the skin, which is why dryness, flaking, redness and flare-ups of conditions like psoriasis and eczema are so prevalent in the colder months.

“Cold temperatures and a dry climate can mean parched skin,” says Skin Laundry’s Chief Medical Officer, board-certified dermatologist Dr Roberta Del Campo. “This leads to a weaker skin barrier and cracks in the skin, which allows irritants, allergens and bacteria to enter. Skin can then become inflamed and irritated which is why my skincare recommendations change when the temperature drops and humidity goes down.”

Read on to learn how skin changes in the wintertime on a physiological level, and what steps you can take to keep radiance and moisture levels intact throughout the season.

As the air turns colder and drier, our skin loses moisture and in more prone to lines and wrinkles, dullness, redness and congestion

How Cold Weather Affects the Skin

In the summer, humidity levels are higher and the air contains more moisture, which the skin absorbs. The skin also produces more natural oil, or sebum, in the summer. By contrast, in the winter decreased moisture in the air and frequent use of heaters causes increased evaporation of water from the skin. This results in dry skin that is more prone to rashes.

“As the seasons change and the air turns colder and drier, our skin loses moisture and indoor heating can exacerbate dryness, leaving the skin more prone to lines and wrinkles, dullness, redness and congestion,” says Skin Laundry’s Director of Clinical Development Mina Chun. “This dryness can lead to clogged pores, which often worsens acne and causes more congestion.”

As the air turns colder and drier, our skin loses moisture and in more prone to lines and wrinkles, dullness, redness and congestion

In addition, when exposed to extreme cold temperatures, blood vessels in our skin can constrict which can cause a decrease in the oxygenation of the skin. This decrease in oxygenation can lead to dullness and weaken the skin barrier function, making the skin more susceptible to irritation and redness. A lack of oxygenation can also weaken skin-cell function, which damages collagen and elastin and can lead to premature signs of aging. Furthermore, a lack of oxygen in the skin promotes the growth of acne-causing bacteria, which triggers breakouts.

Cold winds can also be particularly irritating to the skin. Not only is the air cold and dry, but the sheer velocity of strong winds can damage the skin barrier, which weakens its ability to retain moisture.

A lack of vitamin D can lead to dry, flaky skin, a dull complexion and even acne

How Shorter Days and Lack of Sunlight Affect the Skin

Winter also brings shorter days and longer nights, which limits our exposure to sunshine and can negatively affect skin health by disrupting the body's natural production of vitamin D.

Previtamin D3 is naturally present in the skin. When it interacts with UVA and UVB rays, the pre-vitamin converts into Vitamin D3, which has numerous benefits for the skin. In addition to helping the skin produce collagen and hyaluronic acid, the vitamin has antioxidant properties that help the skin protect itself from free-radical damage.

A lack of vitamin D can therefore lead to dry, flaky skin, a dull complexion and even acne as it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-comedogenic properties.

A lack of vitamin D can lead to dry, flaky skin, a dull complexion and even acne

Supplements can boost Vitamin D levels in the wintertime, and incorporating Vitamin-D-rich foods, such as egg yolks and fatty fish, into a weekly diet can be beneficial too.

The Best Winter Skincare Routine

To prepare the skin for the seasonal changes listed above, it’s essential to stick to a gentle skincare routine that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils and exacerbate dryness. Over-cleansing the skin can dry it out, so a gentle, pared-back cleansing practice works well in the wintertime, and adding moisture to parched skin is essential. And as always, don’t forget the SPF.

Cleansing: “To clean the skin while not affecting the skin barrier, I would switch to a gentle cleanser such as the Skin Laundry Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, and do a single cleanse,” says Del Campo. “No need to double cleanse unless you wear a lot of makeup.”

Moisture: After cleansing, Del Campo recommends doubling down on hydration in the wintertime, using Hyaluronic Acid Serum followed by a moisturizing lotion or cream morning and night.

Topical Antioxidants: In the winter, “Don't skip the morning must-haves, like the Vitamin C Serum for antioxidant protection and Sun Defense Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen for UV protection,” Del Campo says.

Wearing sunscreen year-round can help prevent premature signs of aging on the skin, and it’s also the best—and easiest–way to protect your skin from cancer.

Skin Laundry Facials should be continued in the wintertime to help keep the skin barrier strong and boost collagen

Winter Skincare Treatments

It’s also important to keep up with your regular treatments in the winter. “Skin Laundry Facials should be continued in the wintertime to help keep the skin barrier strong by boosting collagen and increasing elasticity,” Del Campo says. “These treatments go hand-in-hand with at-home skincare.”

Skin Laundry Facials should be continued in the wintertime to help keep the skin barrier strong and boost collagen

Chun adds: “Our Signature Laser Facial is fantastic for winter maintenance; it uses laser energy to penetrate beneath the skin’s surface, stimulating collagen production to make skin thicker, healthier and more resilient. This treatment is especially effective for addressing winter skin concerns like lines and wrinkles, redness, rosacea, dryness-induced clogged pores, acne, inflammation and dullness while being safe for all skin tones.”

Skin Laundry Facials should be continued in the wintertime to help keep the skin barrier strong and boost collagen

The Resurfacing Facial is another treatment that can keep the skin smooth throughout the winter, and help topical products work more effectively to target dryness, redness and other types of irritation. “For those looking to improve skin texture, the Resurfacing Facial uses fractional technology to refine the skin, stimulate collagen and open microchannels for better serum absorption,” Chun suggests. “This leaves skin brighter, firmer, and more resilient to winter's harsher conditions.”

Fans of the Power Duo Facial can continue with treatments in the winter. The combination facial pairs the Signature Laser and Resurfacing Facials into one full-face treatment designed to target breakouts, redness, rosacea and hyperpigmentation while stimulating collagen production for firmer and healthier skin.

“These treatments work together to protect the skin barrier, combat seasonal effects, and maintain a clear, radiant complexion throughout the winter,” Chun says.

Doctor's Note