The Tamesis
Winter conditions are even harsher, challenging your daily commute and, more importantly, your skin barrier. Cold winds and low humidity can deplete moisture and make even typically oily skin feel dry and sensitive. “Low humidity and extreme temperature changes can increase transepidermal water loss, making skin tone tighter, duller, and more reactive, even in people with oily skin the rest of the year,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Divya Shokeen, MD, FAAD. Fashion. That’s why it’s important to adjust your skin care routine each season. “Think of it as a seasonal wardrobe update rather than a complete makeover,” she says.
fashion magazine Favorite Safe Skin Care Products for Winter
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Moisturizing Gentle Cleanser
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SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Recovery 2:4:2
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Round Labs Birch Sap Moisturizing Sunscreen
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Before you get ahead of yourself, this doesn’t mean slathering on a million creamy toners, tons of hydrating serums, and barrier repair products. Celebrity beautician and acne expert Sofie Pavitt has previously explained that while none of these products are inherently harmful, using too many at the same time can further damage your skin and even lead to breakouts when your skin is particularly sensitive.
With this in mind, now is an urgent time to protect your skin barrier: get targeted and get back to basics. “Prioritize barrier repair, hydration, and gentle texture this season while reducing anything that’s overly stripping or aggressive,” says Dr. Shokeen. Below, beauty experts break down the basic steps to keeping your skin barrier smooth and supple—single digits be damned!
Step one: Use a gentle cleanser
Since cold weather alone is enough to irritate your skin, it’s best not to worsen the condition further. This means replacing facial cleansers with active ingredients with mild cleansers. “In the winter, it’s best to use a non-foaming cream, milk or gel cleanser,” says Dr. Shokeen, who stresses avoiding any formula that leaves the skin feeling tight or squeaky. This is because the harsh climate has resulted in large amounts of water being lost. Instead, she explains, mild facial cleansers use mild surfactants and often have a skin-friendly pH to help completely remove dirt, oil, and leftover sunscreen without further stripping the skin.
Dr. Shokeen chose Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost cleanser because of its ability to effectively clean while maintaining barrier integrity. Meanwhile, La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Gentle Cleanser has become a personal favorite of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe for its creamy, hydrating formula enriched with prebiotic thermal water and ceramides. Two other skin-favorite cleansers are similar in texture and ingredients: SkinCeuticals and Vanicream.
Step 2: Peel off your exfoliation regimen
Experts recommend minimizing exfoliation during the colder months—even if you’ve developed a tolerance to AHAs, BHAs, or retinoids. “Excessive exfoliation in the winter can weaken the barrier and exacerbate redness,” says Dr. Shokeen, who recommends exfoliating less frequently during the winter. Instead, she recommends choosing low-intensity chemical exfoliants over harsh physical scrubs or aggressive actives.
If you still need a chemical exfoliation, mandelic acid is an easy option. Pavitt describes the mild AHA as non-drying and works effectively on the skin’s surface, gently exfoliating dead skin cells. Even better, her skincare brand’s Mandelic Acid Clearing Serum is Fashion Editor’s favorite. If you insist on using retinol, Dr. Shokeen recommends spacing it out or opting for a lower concentration that contains hydrating ingredients to soothe while promoting cell turnover. Case in point: The Ordinary serum balances low doses of retinol and squalane—a formula that board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch previously described as “effective yet gentle.” Iope, a favorite brand in the Korean beauty industry, has launched another of its well-known gentle retinol formulas.
Step 3: Choose a nutrient-rich moisturizer
Just like you would wear thicker clothes, experts recommend switching to a more hydrating moisturizer in cold weather. “Winter is the time to transition from lightweight gels to cream moisturizers rich in ceramides, lipids, and humectants,” says Dr. Shokeen. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy Rose previously explained that this can help combat winter dryness and reduce transepidermal water loss.
