If you deal with dry skin in winter, you’re not alone. When temperatures drop and indoor heating kicks in, your skin loses moisture fast. The result? Flakiness, tightness, irritation, and that dull, lackluster look most of us try to avoid. Fortunately, with the proper winter skincare routine, you can maintain a healthy, comfortable glow all season long.
Whether you’re looking for simple winter skincare tips or professional dry skin treatments, this guide walks you through everything you need to keep your skin hydrated, even in the harshest weather.
Why Dry Skin Gets Worse in the Winter
Winter brings a perfect storm of skin stressors. Cold air outside has low humidity, which draws moisture from your skin. Then you step indoors, and heating systems dry the air even more. This combination causes your skin to lose water quickly, making usually balanced skin feel parched.
Your Ideal Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a simple, effective routine designed for dry skin in winter. These steps restore hydration, strengthen your skin barrier, and protect your skin from harsh elements.
1. Start With a Gentle, Hydrating Cleanser
Be sure to avoid stripping cleansers in the winter. Choose a formula with soothing ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, panthenol, or hyaluronic acid. These help cleanse without removing the oils your skin needs to stay comfortable. The Revision Skincare Gentle Foaming Cleanser, which contains panthenol, is a great choice!
2. Add a Hydrating Toner or Essence
After cleansing, follow with a hydrating toner to replenish moisture and prep the skin for the rest of your routine. We especially recommend Revision Skincare Soothing Facial Rinse, which delivers calming hydration with ingredients like allantoin and bisabolol, helping the skin absorb subsequent products more effectively.
3. Use a Serum that Pulls In, and Holds, Moisture
Serums are where your winter routine starts to shine, and they’re an easy way to treat specific skin concerns. Look for formulas containing:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacinamide
- Peptides
- Squalane
If your skin is easily aggravated, look for fragrance-free formulas or those designed for sensitive skin.
4. Choose the Best Moisturizer for Winter
The best moisturizer for winter is one that’s thick and creamy, rather than lightweight. The IS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion is designed for hydration and barrier repair, making it a top choice during winter.
We recommend looking for products with ingredients like:
- Ceramides
- Glycerin
- Hyaluronic acid
During the day, use a hydrating cream. For nighttime, consider something richer or balm-like to lock in moisture for hours.
5. Don’t Skip SPF, Even in the Winter
UV rays don’t take a break in December just because it’s cold. Protecting your skin barrier requires sunscreen year-round. Choose a formula with hydrating ingredients so it layers well over moisturizers and underneath makeup.
This also helps prevent sensitivity, redness, and hyperpigmentation, which are common issues when your skin is already dry or compromised. Even better? Try a tinted sunscreen to give your skin a polished look while still delivering sun protection. We recommend the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36.
6. Exfoliate Gently to Remove Flakes
With dry skin, dead skin cells accumulate quickly, preventing your moisturizer and other treatments from absorbing fully. Gentle exfoliation (one to two times per week) helps:
- Reduce flakiness
- Smooth texture
- Allow hydrating products to work better
Avoid harsh scrubs and opt for lactic acid or polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), which exfoliate without stripping your barrier. We recommend using the IS Clinical Active Peel System to resurface and polish the skin while providing hydration, rejuvenation, and antioxidant protection.
Professional Dry Skin Treatments That Boost Winter Hydration
While at-home routines are essential, professional treatments can dramatically improve your moisture levels, skin texture, and glow, especially when dryness becomes severe. We offer two professional treatments worth considering.
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM: A Breakthrough for Long-Lasting Hydration
If you’ve tried every serum and moisturizer but still feel tight or dehydrated during winter, SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM may be precisely what your skin needs.
SKINVIVE is a hyaluronic acid microdroplet injectable that improves skin hydration and smoothness from the inside out. Unlike traditional fillers, it doesn’t add volume. Instead, it boosts your skin’s natural glow and moisture retention for up to six months.
You’ll notice:
- Softer, more supple skin
- A healthier, more hydrated complexion
- A natural “lit-from-within” glow
- Improved smoothness and texture
Because SKINVIVE works beneath the surface, it’s one of the best dry skin treatments for stubborn winter dehydration.
Hydrating Facial: An Instant Moisture Surge
Another great winter skincare tip? Treat yourself to a professional facial, especially one focused on deep hydration. Here at Cult Aesthetics, we offer our signature Cult Ritual Facial to cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish the skin. It features a hydrating face mask that’s perfect for restoring moisture during the colder months. It helps:
- Replenish lost hydration
- Improve clarity
- Strengthen your skin barrier
- Leave your complexion plump and refreshed
Getting a facial every four to six weeks during winter can make a dramatic difference in how your skin feels day to day.
Extra Winter Skincare Tips for Happier, Healthier Skin
In addition to your routine, try incorporating these habits to keep dryness at bay:
- Use a humidifier at night to add moisture back into the air.
- Limit hot showers. Warm water is better for your skin barrier.
- Apply moisturizer to damp skin to lock hydration in more effectively.
- Drink enough water to hydrate from the inside out.
- Wear protective clothing, such as scarves, to shield your face from the wind.
These small shifts can make a significant impact on both comfort and long-term skin health.
Tired of Dry Skin in Winter?
If you’re ready to elevate your winter skincare routine, receive a deeply hydrating facial, or enhance your skin’s hydration from within with SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM, Cult Aesthetics is here to help. Book a consultation to discover personalized treatments that deliver healthy, radiant skin all season long.
Book a consultation with us in Atlanta or Dallas to get started.
