It’s Time To Winterize Your Skincare: 27 Simple Skin-Saving Swaps To Try
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As the seasons shift, so do the needs of our skin, demanding a thoughtful adjustment in our skincare routines. Winter also brings its own set of challenges and requires us to retire lightweight essentials in favor of richer formulations that shield against the biting chill. Embracing a seasonal swap-out not only optimizes skin health, but also ensures that you still look and feel your best.
In addition to product swaps, consider tweaking your winter skincare routine—indulge in the nourishing ritual of body oil massages or explore the benefits of gua sha. Adapting to the winter through thoughtful changes in your skincare (and body care and makeup!) lineup will help your skin look glowy even in the dull months.
Price Reference (average price):
$ | Under $25
$$ | Between $25-$50
$$$ | More than $50
Thick Moisturizers
Indulge your skin in the comfort of a thick facial moisturizer for winter's harsh weather. Formulated with potent and hydrating ingredients, these creams act as a protective barrier, sealing in moisture to combat dryness and replenish lost nutrients. Look for moisturizers with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or aloe for additional moisturizing benefits. Your skin will soak up these creams, and they’ll feel luxurious and nourishing compared to the lighter products that you used during the summer.
Our Favorites:
Image: Sephora
Squalane + Omega Repair Deep Hydration Moisturizer
Biossance
Immerse your skin in a silky omega-rich cream, sealing in moisture with revitalizing squalane. A dollop of this moisturizer will help your skin feel relief.
Image: Ulta
Resurrection Polypeptide Cream
Cocokind
This cream’s blend of peptides and antioxidants ensures lasting hydration and a resilient skin barrier, all while reviving your complexion. I relied on this exact cream last winter, and it didn’t disappoint!
Image: Nordstrom
Advanced Protection Cream
OSEA
Enriched with seaweed extracts, arm your skin with an advanced facial moisturizer to nourish and defend against winter stressors for a resilient, hydrated complexion. Though this jar is more expensive than others, a little goes a long way.
Image: Sephora
Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer
Farmacy
Experience winter indulgence with an ultra-hydrating moisturizer. Using ceramides, this option will replenish lost moisture and leave you with a deeply hydrated complexion.
Oils for Overnight
Rich in hydrating and protective ingredients, facial oils provide an extra layer of hydration, preventing the winter winds from stripping away your skin's natural barrier. You can wear these oils anytime, but if you use the ‘slugging’ method’ and leave them on overnight, you’ll wake to a renewed complexion that is both dewy and fortified against the season's drying effects.
Our Favorites:
Image: Sephora
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil
The Ordinary
With the richness of 100% organic cold-pressed Moroccan argan seed oil, this facial oil deeply nourishes, providing a silky, non-greasy finish for a radiant complexion.
Image: Fine Feather Shop
Best Skin Ever Seabuckthorn
Living Libations
Update your winter skincare ritual with this trendy best-seller. This luxurious facial oil blends seabuckthorn with botanicals, leaving your skin revitalized, balanced, and dewy.
Image: Credo
Rosehip BioRegenerate Universal Face Oil
PAI
This nutrient-rich oil restores dry skin with the regenerative power of rosehip oil, delivering a rosy complexion that glows. Plus, it smells incredible!
Image: Ulta
Chia Omega-3 Facial Oil
Cocokind
Rich in omega-3, this lightweight (yet potent) oil provides intense hydration, leaving your skin supple and revitalized, ready to face the challenges of winter.
Lip Care
Say goodbye to chapped lips this winter. Instead, rely on lip products that heal and rejuvenate, ensuring your lips remain luscious and hydrated. Winter's winds stand no chance against the soothing care these products offer, leaving you with irresistibly soft and kissable lips. Remember to drink lots of water to hydrate from the inside out, and reapply often, instead of licking your lips.
Our Favorites:
Image: Credo
Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment
ILIA
This nourishing lip mask treatment deeply hydrates to leave your lips soft and smooth.
Image: Sephora
Buttermask Intense Repair Lip Treatment
Kiehl’s Since 1851
Transform your lips with this intense repair lip mask. This decadent formula, enriched with shea butter, provides deep hydration no matter your climate. Say goodbye to chapped lips!
Image: Target
MyMatcha All Over Moisture Stick
Cocokind
I’m a long-time fan of this convenient, matcha-infused stick. You can use it to hydrate lips as well as a quick salve for chapped hands or ripped cuticles. It’s an all-around powerhouse of hydration.
Image: Amazon
The Flower Power Bundle
Poppy & Pout
This natural lip balm provides protection, all while packaged in an eco-friendly cardboard tube. Hand-filled with care, this balm provides gentle, effective hydration for your lips during the winter months.
Hot tip: Get the gift set for yourself so you can keep one in every bag.
Body Balms and Oils
This category is my favorite on the list. Body balms are a winter essential for locking in moisture and providing a cocoon of comfort. These luxurious formulations, often infused with great-smelling ingredients, will help keep dry skin at bay, and you’ll smell divine. I’m a firm believer that everyone needs a go-to body oil or balm in their winter skincare routine to make it to spring.
Our Favorites:
Image: OSEA
Undaria Body Bestsellers
OSEA
When it comes to skincare that feels like a ritual, this body oil is hard to beat. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly and has a soft citrus scent. Even better, this duo contains the full-size oil and body butter to keep skin happy for months.
Image: Wild Origins
Body Butter
Wild Origins
Another of my often-used body balms is this Columbus-made body butter. It has the softest scent that doesn’t bother my sensitive skin, and I’m convinced it keeps dry skin at bay better than practically anything else. I even use it on my lips, cheeks, and eyebrows to protect against cold wind.
Image: Sephora
Beyond Body Oil
Prima
This body oil is enriched with botanical extracts and 600mg of Broad-Spectrum Hemp CBD to lock in moisture and enhance skin’s resilience for a radiant appearance. Ingredients like magnesium and helichrysum promote relaxation and even protect against visible signs of aging.
Image: Credo
Cactus Cream
Nopalera
Providing intense hydration, this botanical-infused cream can be used all over your body. I love the prickly pear cactus scent, too; it’s a great reminder of warmer days ahead.
Dark-spot Treatments
I like to focus on skin-healing treatments during the colder months because it feels like I can dedicate more time to letting the products really soak in. I pair serums and dark spot treatments with my overnight moisturizers to double down on improving my skin’s complexion and texture. This season becomes an opportunity for renewed skincare, as these treatments work all day–or night–long to make you feel your best.
Our Favorites:
Image: Sephora
Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Treatment
The Inkey List
Harness the power of Tranexamic Acid in this night treatment. Clinically proven to target dark spots, it promotes an even skin tone and luminosity so you’ll wake up to a brighter, more revitalized complexion.
Image: Sephora
Mini Faded Serum For Dark Spots
Topicals
This lotion-like serum is made to address dark spots and discoloration. Enriched with brightening ingredients, it evens skin tone with consistent use. I’m a big fan so far, and the mini size has lasted me for months.
Image: Ulta
Discoloration Correcting Serum
Good Molecules
Formulated with skin-loving ingredients, this serum from Ulta targets dark spots, promoting an overall even complexion.
Image: Sephora
Microneedling Dark Spot Brightening Dots
Peace Out
Pimple patches are popular for a reason—they work. Try a similar approach to healing dark spots with these microneedling brightening dots. Simply stick them atop your hyperpigmented areas for a precise skin-brightening treatment.
Lighter Shades of Makeup
As winter sets in and tans fade, opt for lighter shades of makeup to complement your evolving skin color. Embrace the softer hues that harmonize with the winter palette, enhancing your features without overpowering them. Softer, rosier shades effortlessly tint your skin to provide a natural finish that is both sweet and subtle. Winter is also a great time to try a new foundation formula by testing a mini-size since your skin will likely tan again during spring and summer.
Our Favorites:
Image: Revolve
Multi-use Lip & Cheek Palette
Iconic London
Winterize your makeup shades with this versatile lip and cheek palette. Featuring lighter shades, it adds a soft touch to your look. Plus, we love that the palette has multiple uses and can be mixed.
Image: Ulta
Filter Effect Soft-Focus Foundation
Morphe
Embrace a winter-ready complexion with this affordable soft-focus foundation. Available in 38 shades, you’ll be able to find the right fit for your skin without breaking the bank.
Image: Ulta
11:11 Pressed Powder Palette
Colourpop
While lighter shades of foundation and softer pinks and reds are popular during the winter, don’t forget that holiday makeup can still be glamorous. This powder palette has a mix of matte and metallic options that will help you shine.
Hydrated Hands
Shield your hands from drying out or cracking with hydrating lotions and creams. In addition to protection, these products offer a respite of self-care during the busiest season of the year. Don’t just focus on your skin though, pay attention to your cuticles, nails, and wrists to put your best hand forward–gloved or not.
Our Favorites:
Image: Bare Hands
Cuticle Oil Duo
Bare Hands
Nourish your nails with an easy-to-use cuticle oil. This replenishing formula hydrates and softens, keeping your nails and cuticles looking nice.
Image: Credo
The Hand Cream
NÉCESSAIRE
This hand cream deeply hydrates to combat the drying effects of winter, leaving your hands soft and protected. It’s the perfect hand cream to keep with you at all times.
Image: Credo
Healing Salve With Eucalyptus and Peppermint
Violets Are Blue
Don’t forget to treat your feet! This soothing salve is enriched with “essential oils known for their antibacterial properties” and will help keep feet soft.
Image: Amazon
Lemon Butter Cuticle Oil
Burt’s Bees
I love this lemon-scented cuticle cream for when my hands need extra love. It smells like a bright summer, and it melts into skin quickly without feeling greasy.
In the winter pursuit of radiant skin, adapting your skincare routine is key. Embrace thicker products, from facial moisturizers to targeted treatments, to ensure that your skin stays hydrated, even-toned, and resilient despite the dry air. Winter beauty is a journey—why not fall in love with the ritual while you’re at it?