Last updated on January 25th, 2024 at 07:13 am
Why do you need a special winter skincare routine? It’s cold. And your skin feels like parched paper. Your lips are cracking, and you feel like you’re getting dry and old real quick.
Oh, yeah, winter skin.
Here’s the best skincare routine for dry skin.
Choosing the Best Skincare Products
My skin tends to get pretty dry and itchy in the colder months, so it’s important that I take extra care of it. This involves a little additional TLC that my summer skin doesn’t get, but it’s all for the best! My skin is pretty cool, in the sense that it adjusts quite well to any product I try. No allergic reactions, breakouts or anything so far – to any product. But, I do stick to my basic non-negotiables when it comes to personal care products:
vegan
cruelty-free
organic
So, let’s get into it.
Skincare Routine for the Face
1 // Wash outside grime and makeup
I don’t know about wiping my face with wipes, but I’ve always just washed my face to remove the day’s grime and whatever make-up I have on. It’s an immediate solution, but just make sure you use a face wash that isn’t drying your skin out. Try this face wash or this one to gently wash your face (and neck!), and towel off the water before you begin the next step.
If you’re a fan of cleansing wipes, check out this option.
2 // Cleanse your face
My skin is super oily in the T-zone and super dry everywhere else (grr!), and I occasionally suffer from cystic acne. It’s important that I use a cleanser that will get along with my weird skin. I usually apply a light argan oil on my skin, followed by a gentle cleanser. These are both nice to my skin, evening out the oiliness and the dryness, and smoothening out the overall feel of my skin.
You can try this coconut cleansing oil if argan isn’t your thing.
3 // Try a face mask
This is when you put on your face mask, if you plan to do that. This is not a daily thing, obviously, but your skin at this point is primed to absorb good stuff, so if you’re planning to sit back with a mask, this is when you ought to do it.
If you’d like to make your own masks, that’s the best way to go, honestly. Check out these DIY face masks that are great for winter.
4 // Tone it up
Acne-prone skin, ahoy! (This is so sad; I used to have flawless skin as a teenager, but now I suffer from cystic acne?! It’s the bad lifestyle choices, I know, and a topic for another post).
I love rose-scented toners, and this one is very gentle and specially formulated for combination acne-prone skin. It evens out my skin, making it look less angry and more hydrated. Which is pretty cool.
5 // Serum
Apply a serum next, and press it into your skin. Olehenriksen has great serums, and so does Edible Beauty. A good face serum does wonders for uneven skin tone, especially during the winter months.
6 // Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
As a final step for your face, use a good moisturizer. Not only do they, ahem, moisturize your skin, but hey also lock in the stuff you applied before, allowing your skin to absorb all of it overnight.
7 // Seal the Lips
My lips can get super dry and chapped if I don’t do anything to prevent it. So, what I do is to apply – what else – argan oil and then lipstick on top of it. This is akin to applying moisturizer on your hands and then wearing gloves. The lipstick acts as an impenetrable layer and shields my skin from the drying wind and air. This is for the day, of course, and my lips look great, ahem!
Anyway, at night, I gently brush my lips with my toothbrush, and then again apply argan oil for the night. Rub your lips together to really work it into the skin. It’s worked perfectly for my lips, and I wouldn’t ever change this routine for anything.
Skincare Routine for the Body
Hands, elbows, knees and feet
Apply moisturizer before bedtime over all the dry skin on your arms and legs. Make sure you massage the skin a bit, so the moisturizer works its way inside. Wear socks for your feet after!
Note: Skincare is a bit like cooking; once you figure out the basics, you can mix and match, and fine-tune, to arrive at the combination that’s best for you and your skin. Add two drops of cedarwood essential oil to your toner? Why not! Mix your moisturizer with some argan oil? Sure, it makes my skin feel more supple.
Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin: Other Important Tips
1 // Drink plenty of water.
It’s harder to drink water when it’s cold, but it’s even more important in the winter months when your skin is taking such a beating from the weather. Try drinking warm water, or flavored water, if that helps. But drink a lot of water!
2 // Eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
There’s no getting around this – if you’re eating healthy, it will show, especially on your skin. Lotions and potions are just topical ways to moisturize your skin, but the primary solution is to eat well, so your skin is as healthy as it can be from the inside, naturally.
3 // Get adequate exercise.
Get your body moving, get that blood pumping, and watch as your skin starts showing how happy it is…
4 // Get proper rest.
Sleep fitfully, and regularly. Your body needs daily down time to recuperate from your activities, and you’d do well to give it that. Also, minimize stress. If you’re like me, stressful situations show up directly on your face as acne. Which, of course, further adds to the stress. So don’t let it get out of control to begin with.
5 // Take care of your skin.
Pay close attention to everything else you put on your skin, from your shower gel to your make up and even your towels and clothes. As far as is possible and practical, opt for natural, organic, non-allergic personal care products. Don’t abuse your skin – that’s basically the goal.
This post was about the best skincare routine for dry skin
There you go – some of my favorites that are a part of my skincare routine! I hope you found it useful. Leave a comment below with your favorite vegan, cruelty-free skincare products for the winter months!
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THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.
NOTE: All brand photographs belong to the respective brands/businesses.
chloe says
this is great maybe a whole night routine not just for your skin please?
EcoAnouk says
Well, I’m planning to do a ‘de-stress for the night’ post:) What else would you be interested in? Hair care? Please let me know!
Thanks so much for stopping by!:)