7 Best Skincare Swaps for Cold Weather
How to protect, hydrate, and glow through the cold months.
When the seasons change, so should your skincare.
Think about it, we swap out our clothes when the weather shifts, so it makes sense that our skin needs different care too.
Summer is all about light layers and fresh, airy products, but once the air turns cold and dry, that routine doesn’t work the same way.
The moisturizer that kept your skin happy in July suddenly feels too thin, your lips start to crack, and even washing your face can leave it tight.
The good news is you don’t need to buy an entire new routine.
A few smart swaps can keep your skin calm, hydrated, and protected while the temperature drops.
Here are 7 easy changes that will help your skin stay healthy and comfortable all winter long.
1. Swap lightweight lotion for a thicker, barrier-repairing cream
The lotion that feels perfect in summer usually isn’t strong enough for winter.
Cold wind outside and heaters inside pull water out of your skin, leaving it dry and tight.
What your skin really needs is a thicker cream that gives it more cushion and protection.
Think of it like putting on a warm jacket instead of a T-shirt.
Some good choices are:
Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm – soft and pillowy with marshmallow root and oatmeal that calm skin when it feels irritated.
Medik8 Advanced Ceramide Night Cream – loaded with ceramides that help rebuild your skin’s barrier while you sleep.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream – a simple but reliable pick with ceramides and hyaluronic acid that keep skin hydrated all day.
Image from cerave.com
2. Swap foaming cleansers for gentle ones
Foamy cleansers can feel great when your skin is oily in the summer, but in the winter, sometimes they can be too much as they can often contain harsher surfactants (which doesn’t actually really have to do with the foaminess…more like correlation than causation, ya dig?)
The combination of cold air and indoor heating already pulls water out of your skin, so using a cleanser that strips oils only makes the dryness worse.
A balm or cream cleanser is a better fit because it cleans without leaving your face tight afterward.
Here are a few that work well in colder months:
Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm – a lightweight balm that melts into an oil and takes off makeup and sunscreen without leaving skin greasy.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm – rich and buttery, it breaks down buildup while keeping skin soft and nourished.
Yepoda The Calm Balm – soothing and gentle with natural oils that cleanse while protecting the skin barrier (fair warning, I always need to follow this one up with another cleanser to really feel clean since it leaves a slight film)
3. Swap harsh scrubs for mild exfoliation
Physical scrubs can feel like they’re getting the job done, but in winter they usually cause more harm than good.
When your skin is already dry, scrubbing it with rough particles can make flakes worse and even create tiny tears.
A gentler option is chemical exfoliation.
Ingredients like lactic acid or mandelic acid work by dissolving dead skin cells instead of scraping them off, which keeps your skin smooth without irritation.
Here are a few options to try:
Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% – an AHA that gently brightens and smooths while being easier on sensitive skin than glycolic acid.
Image from naturium.com Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – a lightweight liquid with salicylic acid that helps clear pores and reduce buildup.
Image from paulaschoice.com Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigment Corrector Night Serum – combines mandelic, lactic, and salicylic acid with brightening ingredients to smooth skin and target uneven tone without harshness.
4. Add a facial oil for extra protection
Sometimes a regular cream feels like it’s not quite enough when the air is dry and cold.
That’s where a facial oil can help.
It adds a little seal on top of your moisturizer that helps your skin hold onto hydration longer and feel more comfortable all day.
A few good ones:
True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil – lightweight, absorbs quickly, and leaves skin glowing when you wake up.
Sunday Riley UFO – a clarifying dry oil with salicylic acid and soothing plant oils that can help calm breakouts while keeping skin balanced.
Image from dermstore.com FaceTheory Rosehip Oil – an antioxidant-rich, cold-pressed oil with rosehip and vitamin E that hydrates, protects, and may improve dullness, dehydration, uneven tone, and early signs of aging with regular use.
Image from facetheory.com
5. Try retinol while the sun is weaker
Winter is one of the easiest times to start retinol.
Retinoids make skin more sensitive to the sun, so beginning when days are shorter helps you adjust safely before summer.
Retinol speeds up skin cell turnover, which smooths texture, fades dark spots, and softens fine lines.
It can also help keep pores clear, though many people notice purging at first.
Breakouts may get worse before they improve, but that stage usually passes within weeks.
If acne is your main concern, adapalene (like Differin Gel) is often the better choice. It’s more stable than retinol and works to unclog pores, reduce redness, and prevent future breakouts, making it a reliable option for acne-prone skin.
Some beginner-friendly options:
The Inkey List Retinol Serum – A gentle starter serum with slow-release retinyl acetate and squalane to smooth fine lines and even skin tone without heavy irritation.
Image from theinkeylist.com CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum – Encapsulated retinol with niacinamide and ceramides to fade post-acne marks, refine texture, and keep the skin barrier strong.
Image from ulta.com
If you want to learn more, check out some of my other posts: Beginner's Guide to Retinol: 5 Tips You Can't Miss, Adapalene vs Retinol: Which One’s Right for You?, CeraVe Retinol Serum Review, and Differin vs CeraVe Retinol.
6. Swap hot showers for warm ones
A long, hot shower feels cozy on a cold day, but it strips away the natural oils that keep your skin healthy.
That is why so many people notice itchy, flaky patches in the winter.
Lukewarm water is easier on your skin, and the real key is what you do after you step out.
Apply moisturizer right away while your skin is still damp so it can lock in hydration.
Some products that pair well after a shower:
Hanni Splash Salve – a water-activated in-shower balm that helps leave skin soft and hydrated, often reducing the need for extra lotion after.
Soft Services Carea Cream – made with urea to gently exfoliate while delivering hydration, great for rough patches after bathing.
7. Protect your lips and hands
Lips and hands are often the first to show signs of winter dryness.
Cold air outside and heaters inside can make them crack, sting, or peel.
Keeping a balm for your lips and a cream for your hands nearby makes it easy to reapply during the day and stay comfortable.
Some options to try:
Aquaphor Healing Ointment – a classic that seals in moisture and helps repair cracked lips and dry knuckles.
Image from ulta.com Supergoop! Play Lip Balm SPF 30 – keeps lips soft while protecting them from the sun, which is still important in winter.
Final Thoughts
Winter can be rough on your skin, but it does not have to be.
Paying attention to how the season changes your skin and adjusting your routine accordingly makes a huge difference.
The right products keep your barrier strong, your face comfortable, and your body feeling good even on the driest days.
With these swaps in place, your skincare will work with the season instead of against it.
Cheers,
What are your thoughts on humectants? From what I understand, I need to use a humectant like aloe to actually pull moisture into my skin, then apply a moisturizer on top of that to seal in the moisture. Is this accurate in your experience?