Rebecca Claire Beauty

Winter is coming and among the myriad of things we have to prepare for, changing our skincare routine is often one of them. One way to do this is by changing our skincare products for the winter. The summer skincare products that are ideal for removing sweat and oil buildup and hydrating the skin without weighing it down are unfortunately not the best during winter when it’s crucial to maintain hydration within the skin.

While switching out your products is a great way to change your skincare routine for the winter, there are other things you can do as well that cost little to nothing–chances are you already have some of these things in your home! In this article. I’ll share practical, easy, and inexpensive tips that all skin types can incorporate into their winter skincare routine or any time of the year you’re experiencing dry and sensitive skin!

1. Watch your water temperature.

Don’t worry, I won’t tell you to take a cold shower. Instead what I suggest is either washing your face with cooler water from the sink beforehand or simply turning down the water while you’re showering when you wash your face. Hot water can overly strip the skin’s natural oils thereby weakening its natural protective barrier that keeps moisture within the skin. This leads to dryness, irritation, and inflammation, and exacerbates any existing dryness and sensitivities you may already have. 

Personally, I like to turn the water down to lukewarm while I’m cleansing my face. I also wait until the end of my shower to remove my makeup and use my face cleanser as this minimizes the time my skin is exposed to water. 

2. Use a humidifier while you sleep.

Even in humid climates, winter can feel dry due to many factors, so keeping enough humidity in the air indoors is crucial for a hydrated complexion. Dry air is especially common in the winter when you’re inside, as running heat can pull moisture from the skin, leading to dryness, irritation, and flakiness. 

A humidifier is good for dry skin and during the winter months because it adds moisture to the air, which helps improve hydration within the skin. This is particularly helpful if you’re prone to skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis which are notorious for flaring up in the winter when keeping the skin sufficiently moisturizer is important. You don’t need anything fancy, any humidifier will do, and most will tell you the humidity percentage of your room so you can control the level. You can keep a small one by your bed at night and only run it while you sleep, as our skin does most of its regeneration at night anyway. 

3. Don’t be afraid to exfoliate.

Exfoliation is a bit of a dirty word during the winter (especially if you have sensitive skin) but hear me out. By gently exfoliating dry skin you remove dead skin cells and other build-up and allow newer, healthier skin cells to emerge. Our skin is continually renewing itself and shedding dead cells, and when that process gets interrupted due to an excess of dry skin cells it can create a buildup that leaves the skin feeling tight and drier than it was to begin with. This vicious cycle can be hard to break, especially since exfoliation can also irritate sensitive skin.

The key is to exfoliate gently, either with a physical exfoliant like a scrub or a chemical exfoliant that contains something like AHAs. A gentle physical exfoliant that you most likely already have is a washcloth. I like to use one every few days with my nighttime cleanser after I’ve removed my makeup. While washcloths can be abrasive, you can control the pressure. Gently rub in circles with minimal pressure, going over each area of the face only once until you gauge how your skin responds. You can even use a baby washcloth as these come in a smoother material. 

If you’d like to use a chemical exfoliant, try an AHA face cleanser with something like lactic, mandelic, or glycolic acid. Cleansers tend to be the gentlest option to choose when trying out a chemical exfoliant as they aren’t left on your skin like a serum or toner. For a more in-depth guide to exfoliating your skin during the winter, check out my Winter Skincare Guide for Exfoliation!

4. Moisturize throughout the day.

Most of us do our skincare once or twice a day and apply a moisturizer after, but there’s no hard and fast rule saying you can only moisturize after washing your face. Whether you spend your time indoors or outdoors, moisturizing throughout the day is useful when you’re inside all day and the heat is running, or you’re exposed to wind and cold. 

This gets tricky if you’re wearing makeup or sunscreen, which is why I recommend keeping a hydration spray or spray moisturizer for your face on hand during the winter. These lightweight spray lotions have the consistency of a serum with humectants and emollients that help protect the skin much like a traditional moisturizer does. Spray moisturizers are also the best way to moisturize over makeup and sunscreen as they don’t need to be rubbed into the skin.

If you prefer, you can always use a regular moisturizer or lotion throughout the day. I like to apply my lotion after lunchtime when I’m working around the house and not wearing anything on my face. If I’m wearing sunscreen I’ll simply apply another coat afterward and my skin feels as good as new. 

5. Don’t be afraid to use an occlusive.

Occlusive may not be a skincare term you’re familiar with, but chances are you’ve already used one. Simply put, an occlusive is a moisturizing ingredient that creates a barrier on the skin to prevent water loss and help keep skin hydrated. The most well-known occlusive is petroleum jelly, which you’ve probably seen sold as Vaseline or Aquaphor. Other skincare ingredients such as oils and butters can be occlusive. Heavier oils such as castor and mineral are thick enough to help create a barrier over the skin. Shea butter is another occlusive that is protective and rich in nutrients that help smooth the skin.

The downside to using an occlusive such as petroleum jelly is that while it seals moisture on the surface of the skin, it seals in everything else, too. This means if you’re prone to clogged pores and buildup (such as the bacteria that leads to acne) you’ll trap that in and you likely won’t see an improvement in skin texture and breakouts. 

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to tell if an occlusive skincare ingredient will work for your skin type. Apply your occlusive of choice at night and at the end of your skincare routine. Either you’ll wake up with skin that feels baby soft or your skin will look congested and dull, either of which will give you your answer on whether or not occlusive ingredients are good for your skin!

Occlusive ingredients work anywhere you have dry skin, not just the face! You can apply occlusive skincare ingredients to your hands, cuticles, feet, and any other dry and rough areas of the body.

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