Is your skin giving you the winter woes? Are you searching for some dry winter skin tips for relief? An uncomfortable dry face? Cracked hands? Crepey legs? I know… I live in Chicago and the dry skin battle, especially in the winter months, is a challenge. Read on for my round up of the best ways to nourish your skin through the dry winter months – and anytime you are struggling with dry skin!
*Disclosure: This post does contain affiliate links which means that if you use the links provided to purchase products, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I have tried and use and love!
Tips to Relieve Your Dry Winter Skin
Your Winter Skincare Routine
Cleaners: Are you washing your skin with a foamy cleanser? Does it have sulfates in it? Sulfates are the ingredients that help products foam, which gives you that “squeaky clean” feeling. But this can be too harsh for many people, and over-strip your skin, especially in the dry winter months This is the time of year to be using gentle milk or oil based cleansers because they do an amazing job of cleansing your skin while protecting your skin barrier. You might love it so much that you keep this in your routine long-term. Some of my favorite options include: Osea’s Ocean Cleanser (a gentle gel-like cleanser), Pai’s oil-based cleanser, and Beautycounter’s Lotus Cleansing Balm, which I have used daily for over 5 years. *Disclosure: I do earn a commission on Beautycounter products at no additional cost to you. You can shop that here: https://abundantbeautyco.com/products
Secrets to Dry Winter Skin Relief
Hydrating Face Mists: This will be your new best friend. Why? Because mists have water combined with fantastic extra hydrating ingredients in them. You can use this in your skincare routine right after cleansing, and you can continue to spray your face with the extra hydration throughout the day. Two options that I love are Josh Rosebrooks’ Hydration Accelerator and True Botanicals Renew Nutrient Mist.
Face Oils: Have you incorporated a face oil into your winter skincare routine? You will want to because this is a game-changer for that dry winter skin – or dry skin any time of year! You want that extra layer to lock in the hydration from your serums and moisturizers. So, if you have been holding off on giving face oils a try, I cannot recommend incorporating them enough. They are truly nourishing and soothing. And you will find great options at every price point on the market. Some of my favorite options include True Botanicals Renew Radiance Oil and Beautycounter’s No 2 Plumping Oil. *Disclosure: I do earn a commission on Beautycounter products at no additional cost to you. You can shop that here: https://abundantbeautyco.com/products
Winter Skincare Routine Tips
Exfoliation: Are you gently exfoliating? Your skin needs some extra love and attention to remove those dry, flaky patches. When you do not exfoliate, your dead skin cells sit there and block the full absorption of all the beautiful skincare treatments you are putting on your skin. You can incorporate a combination of both physical exfoliation (like rice polish face scrubs, or even a washcloth) and chemical exfoliation (the AHA/BHA/Glycolic acid treatments, typically in a toner form). With chemical exfoliation, try to add a toner with this type of ingredient a few times a week, and you will see a big improvement in your skin’s texture. When you do this, that will then allow your products to hydrate and nourish that much better. One of my favorites is Josh Rosebrooks Gentle Acid Daily Toner. For the physical option, Dermalogica and Tacha both have great rice polish daily exfoliators.
Your Winter Body Skincare Routine
Body Scrubs: Yes, you want one of these! They are typically infused with nourishing oils, and do an amazing job of relieving dry winter legs, arms, hands, and feet. Make this a staple in your shower routine and you will be so much happier! Both True Botanicals and Beautycounter have amazing, nourishing body scrubs. *Disclosure: I do earn a commission on Beautycounter products at no additional cost to you. You can shop that here: https://www.beautycounter.com/kristinsvets?goto=/product/sugar-body-scrub-lemongrass
Dry Brushing: If you exfoliate first with dry brushing (before you get in the shower), and then add a body scrub, you should see a big improvement. It’s also incredibly detoxifying and good for you in so many ways!
Bath + Body Care: Salts, Body Brush, Soap, Oil, with flowers and champagne for extra fun
Body Oils and Serums: At this time of year, even your body can use some of the layers that you do in your face skincare routine. Add a body oil or the harder to find body serum for extra hydration. This is key! My current favorite body oil is Oseas’ Undaria Oil. The smell is just beautiful!
Swap out your body soap, too. You want gentle hydrating options, not squeaky clean! I love to shop for local goat milk based soaps.
Your Lifestyle Routines in the Winter
Hydrate! You have heard it a thousand times, but truly drinking more water makes a substantial difference in your skin’s hydration. So when the temperature is low and the air is dry, you need even more. The general rule of thumb is half your body weight in water, but you can even amp that up during these dry months. I know it’s hard, but it makes such an impact. Add some fruit to make it more flavorful. Drink up!
Use a humidifier for your home air and especially your bedroom air. The dry air of winter is what is pulling all of the hydration out of you. Fight back by adding that hydration back in the air! This really does work. When people take a form of accutane for acne, their deal with brutally dry skin, and dermatologists recommend relief with the addition of a humidifier. Try it!
Eating healthy makes a difference here, too. Add those water-filled fruits and veggies, healthy fats like avocados and olive oil, and fish oil supplements. A nourished body results in nourished skin.
I hope some of these tips help you find relief from dry winter skin issues! Do you incorporate any of these right now? What will you add to your routine? Let me know in the comments!
I, too live in Chicago and dry skin in the winter is my least favorite thing! I get shocked by every thing I touch! I try to keep hydrated, but I’m going to use some of your tips to try to improve my dry skin! Thanks!!! I have a travel blog, but since this subject has been haunting me all winter, I wanted to take a look! Thanks again!
Hello fellow Chicagoan! It’s crazy how dry it gets in these single digits, isn’t it? Thanks for reading this post. I’m glad you found it helpful. Stay warm! And hydrated! : )
Yes! A woman after my own heart! Love a good brown sugar scrub. And I cannot live without my face oil. Such a game-changer for winter skin! Thanks for reading!
I, too live in Chicago and dry skin in the winter is my least favorite thing! I get shocked by every thing I touch! I try to keep hydrated, but I’m going to use some of your tips to try to improve my dry skin! Thanks!!! I have a travel blog, but since this subject has been haunting me all winter, I wanted to take a look! Thanks again!
Hello fellow Chicagoan! It’s crazy how dry it gets in these single digits, isn’t it? Thanks for reading this post. I’m glad you found it helpful. Stay warm! And hydrated! : )
Such a great resource! I’m always at a loss on what direction to go with skincare.
Thanks, Carla! I’m glad you found some useful tips. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the great tips. I live in a dry winter climate and dry skin happens all the time. Thanks.
Hi Lori. Thanks for reading the post. Dry skin is such a challenge! I hope these help!
Great tips! I love brown sugar scrubs for exfoliating. And I try to use face oils every night, they really help my dry skin in the winter!
Yes! A woman after my own heart! Love a good brown sugar scrub. And I cannot live without my face oil. Such a game-changer for winter skin! Thanks for reading!