When temperatures drop outside, your skin’s protective barrier weakens. Its moisture levels fall, and that natural glow starts to fade away. Suddenly, the products that seemed to work don’t seem to help you anymore. Naturally, you are left trying to identify why.
In this guide, we break down what happens to your skin during winter and outline a step-by-step AM + PM winter skincare routine for dry, sensitive skin. We will also outline some dermatologist recommended for winter skincare and recommended products for the best winter skincare for dry skin.
Why Skin Suffers in Winter
Cold Air & Barrier Damage
Cold air gives a sharp feeling and freezing sensation on your skin as it holds little moisture. As a result, your skin loses hydration much faster and turns noticeably drier.
The dryness makes your skin flaky and gives way to microcracks thanks to the low humidity. Not to forget the itchiness, discomfort, redness, and irritation.
Additionally, sebum production naturally reduces during winter. So your skin finds it more challenging to stay naturally moisturized.
Indoor Heating & Dehydration
Indoor heating systems dry out the air in the room and pull moisture from the skin. This leads to that “tight stretchy feeling” you experience when you smile. It is a clear sign of sensitivity and the dire need for deep hydration and barrier support.
While most people know that moisturizers are excellent at offering deep hydration, one common question arises: how to protect the skin barrier in winter? The answer is with a targeted morning and evening skincare routine during winter.
Morning Skincare Routine (Step-by-Step)
Morning winter skincare routine for dry, sensitive skin focuses on all-day hydration and barrier protection. Here’s how to layer your products right:
Gentle Cleanser
Start with a gentle cleanser to remove all the impurities without stripping your skin’s natural oils. Deconstruct’s Niacinamide Brightening Face Wash with 2% Niacinamide + 2% Liquorice root extract helps cleanse skin gently. It cleans skin mildly without drying, maintains hydration, and even tones your skin. It even fades dark spots and controls oil.
Hydrating Serum
Step 2 in the winter skincare routine for dry, sensitive skin is a hydrating serum. Actives like Hyaluronic acid or Niacinamide hydrate and nourish your skin. They are excellent at drawing moisture and locking it! There’s more.
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Hyaluronic acid: Attracts moisture from the environment and improves elasticity. That uncomfortable stretchy feeling? Goodbye!
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Niacinamides: Strengthens your barrier and evens out skin tone.
Moisturizer with Ceramides
Deconstruct — Oil-free Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Ceramides make up almost half of your skin’s outermost layer. They are important for various reasons:
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Increases your skin’s moisture retention ability
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Repairs and fortifies your barrier
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Soothes your skin
Deconstruct’s Brightening Moisturizer with 5% Niacinamide and 1% Kojic Acid promotes ceramide and lipid production in your skin. Thus nourishing it with improved moisture retention ability during winters. The duo works to reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots too. The 5% Vitamin C in this moisturizer gives your skin a glow after the harsh winter weather has turned it dull.
Winter SPF
The winter sun definitely feels softer. Its warmth invites you to go on a short walk. But while you’re out and about, don’t forget to wear a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ lightweight sunscreen.
Remember: The UV rays are still harsh and capable of damaging your skin.
“Shop Hydrating Winter Moisturizers and say goodbye to dry, itchy, and dull skin this cold season.”
Evening Skincare Routine (Step-by-Step)
Evening winter skincare routine for dry sensitive skin is about nourishment and repair. Here’s how to restore hydration and suggestions for winter skincare products for sensitive skin.
Cream/Oil-Based Cleanser
Imagine the extent of pollution your skin gets exposed to every day. Now, add oil, dirt, and makeup to that. A simple face wash will not help you get rid of all of this.
A gentle cream or oil-based cleanser melts away all the impurities and makeup without stripping moisture. It leaves your skin clean yet nourished, which is exactly what you need in winter.
Barrier-Repairing Serum
The best winter skincare routine for dry skin prioritizes skin repair. A barrier-repairing serum with peptides and centella asiatica will help you.
Peptides enhance ceramide production to repair the skin barrier. It reduces the tightness by improving skin elasticity and calms your skin. Centella Asiatica soothes aggravated skin and improves overall skin moisture.
Rich Moisturizer + Occlusive
A rich moisturizer is important for sealing in hydration. But the last thing you want is for your skin to be greasy and your pores to get clogged. Deconstruct’s Oil-Free Moisturizer has a lightweight formulation that keeps your skin hydrated for up to 72 hours! It contains 3% NMF Complex + 0.2% Panthenol, which retains moisture and supports your barrier. The best part? Zero stickiness and no pore clogging. Your skin replenishes itself while you catch a good night’s rest!
Lip & Under-Eye Care
Your lips and undereye deserve equal attention. A beeswax or lanolin lip balm will repair chapped or cracked lips. Similarly, an under-eye cream with peptides or caffeine will reduce puffiness and dryness.
“Explore Deconstruct’s Barrier-Repair Serums to ensure your skin’s moisture stays locked in this winter.”
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Step |
Morning Routine |
Evening Routine |
|
Cleanser |
Niacinamide Brightening Face Wash |
Oil or cream-based cleanser |
|
Serum |
Hydrating serum with Hyaluronic acid or Niacinamide |
Barrier-repairing serum with peptides or centella asiatica |
|
Moisturizer |
Moisturizer with ceramides |
Oil-Free Moisturizer |
|
Final Step |
Broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen |
Beeswax/lanolin lip balm + peptide/coffee infused under-eye cream |
Deconstruct — Vitamin-C Brightening Face Wash
Dermatologist-Approved Winter Skincare Tips
A winter skincare routine may get trickier at times. Here are some dermatologist tips for winter skincare to make it easier.
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Don’t Over-Exfoliate: Exfoliation removes dead skin, revealing fresh skin. You may be tempted to exfoliate more than once, but avoid it. Limit exfoliation to 1x weekly with Lactic acid.
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Use a Humidifier to Avoid Skin from Drying Indoors: Indoor heating systems dry out the air in the room. Use a humidifier to restore indoor air moisture.
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No Hot Showers: Hot showers strip your skin’s natural oils. Stick to lukewarm water for a comfortable shower.
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Important Ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, and Peptides in your dry and sensitive skin winter skincare products. Each ingredient serves to maintain your skin's health.
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Avoid Harsh Alcohols And Fragrance-Heavy Products: They can weaken your barrier, cause irritation, further dry out skin and worsen skin health.
Winter Skincare for Dry Skin Isn’t Complicated
Winter skincare is about gentle cleansing, layering hydration, repairing barriers, and daily SPF. Your morning winter skincare routine needs to build on hydration, while your evening skincare routine needs to focus on repair and rejuvenation.
Be mindful of choosing the right products that strike a balance between what your skin needs and your environment. Build your routine with essential winter skincare products like winter Face Wash, Brightening Moisturizer, and Oil-Free Moisturizer. Shop now and protect your skin all season long.
FAQs
Do you need to wear sunscreen in winter?
Yes. Even when the sun feels mild, UV rays can damage your skin. Always finish your morning routines with sunscreen to protect against it.
How can I protect my skin barrier during cold weather?
Keep your skin’s barrier strong with ceramide-rich moisturizer and barrier-repairing serums. Also, avoid over-exfoliating. Once a week is enough to remove dead skin cells without drying your skin.
What is the best winter skincare routine for dry and sensitive skin?
The best winter skincare routine for dry and sensitive skin includes gentle cleansing + hydrating & barrier-repairing serum + moisturizer + sun protection. Swap sun protection for lip and under-eye care during the evening.
Which ingredients should I avoid in winter skincare products?
Limit or avoid strong exfoliating ingredients like Glycolic acid, Retinoids, and Alcohol-based products. They can dry out and irritate your skin during winter.
Can I use Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together in my routine?
Yes, you can! Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid complement each other very well and are safe to use together. They are moisturizing ingredients that retain moisture in the skin.
How often should I exfoliate dry or sensitive skin in winter?
Keep exfoliation to once a week. Anything more will damage your protective barrier, and anything less will allow your dead cells to build up and clog your pores.
