Last Updated February 19, 2025
During colder, drier months of the year—January and February being prime examples—your skin needs a little extra TLC. Between the icy temperatures outside and the drying artificial heat indoors, it’s no surprise that winter exacts a serious toll on our biggest, most exposed organ. While your skin type hasn’t changed, it has to deal with environmental changes that open the door to parched, itchy, flaky skin—and all of these symptoms can stick around. The knee-jerk reaction may be to coat ourselves in thick lotions and potions, but overloading the skin isn’t the answer—and actually, that can create a mess of its own. Instead, think of winter as a prime time to reassess your skincare routine, switch up what you’re using, and make some mindful changes to your habits. In this winter skincare guide, we’re covering exactly how to care for skin when the temperature drops so you can keep your skin calm, balanced and comfortable no matter how cold or dry it gets.
What Causes Dry Skin In The Winter?
You can probably guess that the weather is the problem. In the winter, cold temperatures, lower-than-usual humidity levels and biting winds excel at stripping moisture from the skin. And being indoors isn’t much of a respite. Heated air likewise steals moisture, making dry skin even drier. The result? Tight, dry skin prone to redness, irritation, flaking, even puffiness. Oily and combination skin types aren’t immune, either.
There’s not much we can do to hurry along Mother Nature and get to spring already, so the key is to be mindful about supporting your skin on the inside and out. That means taking a good look at the products you’re using and the habits you’re following. Let’s break it down.
Winter Skincare: What To Do And What To Avoid
Year-round, the goal should be nourishing your skin with an eye to supporting the acid mantle, microbiome and skin barrier. If you’re doing that, chances are high that your skin is in good shape, but it’s still susceptible to harsher-than-usual environmental stressors. Those who prefer a more intensive skincare routine designed to tighten or tone or clear may find that their skin is more reactive than usual. Either way, when you’re navigating months of cold, dry weather on end, balancing your skin means being a little more intentional about the products you’re using.
Opt For Gentle, Nourishing Formulas
If your skin is already sensitized, give it a break from harsh cleansers, toners and exfoliants (seriously, a skin detox is something you should seriously consider). Focus on gentle cleansers that clear away impurities without stripping moisture, upsetting your skin’s natural pH level or freaking out your skin microbiome. Not sure whether your current skincare products do that? This is a prime time to learn more about fermented skin, scalp and hair care and its absolutely magical effects, but here’s the short-and-sweet version. The process of fermentation breaks down compounds for easier penetration and absorption in the skin. It also creates beneficial probiotics that support your skin’s microbiome, a thriving ecosystem of beneficial viruses, bacteria and fungi that work to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. In short, it’s good stuff.
Shimmer Chef’s line of plasters and balms are specifically created to nourish the skin in all the right ways. Our proprietary Vitamin C Infusion Technique is a nine-day fermentation process that converts a rotating selection of fresh organic citrus peels into a nutrient-rich concoction that powers our bio-accessible formulas. We pair it with superfoods, plant butters and plant oils to create living formulas that are so fresh and preservative free, they’re stored in the fridge. It’s a radical departure from what you find on the shelves at the department store or online, but our less-is-more approach—not to mention, our root-to-stem philosophy that ensures a zero-waste process—is all about efficacy and efficiency. Our focus is entirely on supporting the skin so it can look and feel its best, instead of beating it into submission. Spoiler—that approach always, always backfires. (And if you’re currently mid-skin freak out, check out our tips for resetting your skin when it’s completely out of control.)
Exfoliate With Care
You’re bundling up this time of year, and all of those layers can leave your skin feeling dull and lackluster. When you neglect it, it tends to get worse, since those dead skin cells pile up, leaving you rough and flaky. A gentle exfoliator works wonders here, but it’s so important to choose wisely. The right product can flood the skin with nutrients, minerals and moisture, all while gently polishing away dead skin cells. The wrong product can leave you feeling stripped and raw. We’ll go ahead and suggest Shimmer Chef’s Sweet Almond Rosehip Brine Face & Body Polish as a wonderfully gentle option. Like all Shimmer Chef products, it’s a living formulation that feeds the skin directly to keep it balanced and calm. And isn’t that exactly what you want?
Be Mindful About Moisturizing
If you’re kind of hit or miss when it comes to moisturizing, and you can get away with relying on serums during the warmer months, do your best to hydrate your skin properly. That means drinking lots of water every darn day (even though we apparently feel 40% less thirsty in the winter) and moisturizing properly. But it’s not just about what you use— it’s when you use it.
While your skin is still moist from your shower and the bathroom is nice and steamy, moisturize from head to toe. If you’re using an organic, raw, living balm from Shimmer Chef, you can use the same product everywhere and feel smug at your efficiency. Otherwise, make sure you’re using moisturizers that include ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid or glycerin, all of which boost hydration. Lotion up after you wash your hands, too! Dry knuckles are so typical in the winter.
If you live in an especially dry, cold climate, you might consider running a humidifier wherever you tend to hang out the most. Your houseplants will love it, too! Running the humidifier in your bedroom at night can also be really beneficial.
Turn Down The Water Temperature
Raise your hand if you’re a fan of long, hot showers or soaking in a steaming tub when it’s freezing outside. We get it, but bad news—your skin hates it. Hot water is seriously drying, so do your very best to moderate your water temperature. It doesn’t need to be freezing—we aren’t over here promoting cold plunges—but aim for a few degrees above lukewarm. If you like to multitask in the shower by washing your face, turn the water way down to avoid irritation and redness. That’s a golden rule that applies year round, by the way.
If you favor baths, drop the temperature and add a few drops of a plant-based oil for a little extra hydration. And when you wash your hands, again, lukewarm water is best.
The Bottom Line On Winter Skincare
Taking care of your skin in the winter is all about addressing moisture loss. The best way to do that is with products that support the skin barrier—one of its main jobs is maintaining hydration in the skin! But don’t overlook your personal habits, too. Make a conscious effort to drink more water, take cooler showers and moisturize regularly. Your winter skin will thank you—and so will your spring, summer and fall skin.
Chef Jennifer Sanford, the visionary behind Shimmer Chef, fuses her talents as a Health Supportive Culinary Arts Chef and licensed esthetician to develop formulas that radically transform your skin, scalp and hair. Jennifer brings a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, drawing on the wisdom of Mexican Folk Medicine passed down through her family, as well as studies of the ancient art of Ayurveda through her yoga and meditation certifications.
