Your winter skincare shopping guide for dry, sensitive skin
- Cold weather conditions like dry air and icy winds can irritate your skin.
- A winter skincare routine should focus on smart layering to hydrate and repair the skin barrier.
- Morning routines should include gentle cleansing, hydration, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen.
- Nighttime routines should focus on cleansing, nourishing, and restoring the skin with richer creams.
Cold weather doesn't just knock, it crashes into your skincare routine. When dry air, indoor heat and icy winds collide, even normally balanced skin can feel suddenly irritated or sensitive.
That's why a winter skincare routine isn't about piling on more products, it's about layering smart—choosing formulas that support your skin barrier and knowing when to hydrate versus when to repair.
This winter skincare shopping guide is designed to meet you exactly where you are. Whether you're wondering how to layer skincare in winter, searching for the best winter moisturizer or trying to find products to calm sensitivity, we break down what your skin actually needs every morning and night.
You'll also find customer-loved and top-rated products from popular skincare retailers like Sephora, Ulta, Dermstore, Bluemercury, Amazon and Charlotte Tilbury. Plus, compare budget and splurge skincare swaps so you can build a routine that works for your skin and your wallet.
Morning winter skincare routine: Hydrate, protect and glow
A winter morning skincare routine should focus on gentle cleansing, hydrating humectants, nourishing emollients/occlusives and SPF even in cold weather.
- First, you'll want to start with a cleanser that removes impurities without stripping away moisture.
- Then, lock in your skin's hydration with hyaluronic acid or similar hydrating booster.
- Next, find emollients and occlusives: creams or richer lotions to seal moisture in.
- Finally, cold temps don't block UV, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen should be your final morning step.
Customer‑loved morning winter skincare products
The skincare products listed below all received a four-star customer rating and above based on reviews, sizing and value.
Nighttime winter routine skincare routine: Repair, nourish and restore
Evenings are the prime time to nourish your skin with richer hydrators and on active nights, use gentle serums. On recovery nights, give your skin a break with barrier-supporting creams.
- First, cleanse and remove SPF/ other impurities without stripping away moisture.
- Next, on active nights (if your skin can tolerate), introduce serums to support renewal.
- Lastly, for recovery nights, focus on calming and barrier-supporting hydrators.
Customer‑loved nighttime winter skincare products
Sensitive skin playbook
Get these skincare products for sensitive winter skin.
Budget vs. splurge swaps
These skincare products are listed from budget, mid-priced and splurge options.
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the Paste BN Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.