Winter weather — cold temperatures, low humidity, and indoor heating — can strip your skin of vital moisture, leading to tightness, flakiness, and irritation. But with the right habits and skincare products, you can restore hydration, soothe dryness, and strengthen your skin’s protective barrier.
Here’s your complete guide to healing dry winter skin, plus dermatologist-recommended products from BestDerm.com to add to your routine.
What Happens to Skin in Winter
Dry winter conditions accelerate transepidermal water loss, meaning your skin loses moisture faster than it can replace it. This can weaken your skin barrier, resulting in dry, tight, or rough patches. Targeted hydrating and barrier-supporting products help keep moisture locked in and irritation at bay.
Daily Winter Skincare Routine to Combat Dryness
1. Cleanse with a Gentle Formula
Avoid harsh, stripping cleansers. Choose a hydrating, non-foaming cleanser where possible (you can explore best options in BestDerm’s cleanser and dry skin collections).
2. Layer in Hydration
Hydrating serums help pull water into skin before you seal it in with creams.
✨ BestDerm Hydrating Serum Pick:
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SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist – BestDerm $69.00 – A calming, hydrating mist that refreshes dry, irritated skin and layers beautifully under moisturizer.
3. Seal in Moisture With a Rich Moisturizer
The cornerstone of any winter skincare routine is a moisturizer that restores lipids and strengthens the barrier.
BestDerm Moisturizer Picks for Dry Winter Skin
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ISDIN Hydralift – BestDerm $140.00
A deeply hydrating option that helps fortify and plump dry skin. -
Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer – BestDerm $98.00
Great for very dry or sensitive skin, this rich cream delivers lasting hydration. -
SkinCeuticals Emollience – BestDerm $85.00
A richer formula that’s ideal for dry climates and irritability.
4. Don’t Forget SPF — Even in Winter
UV rays can still damage dry skin, so always finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum SPF.
Extra Tips for Winter Hydration
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Apply moisturizer on slightly damp skin right after cleansing or showering — it helps lock in hydration.
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Use a humidifier at night to keep indoor air from drying your skin further.
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Limit hot showers and avoid harsh scrubs that can strip natural oils.
Why These Products Work
Winter dry skin is essentially a barrier issue — the outer layer of skin isn’t holding onto moisture as well as it should. Many of the BestDerm products above contain:
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Ceramides — rebuild and strengthen the skin barrier.
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Hyaluronic acid — attracts moisture into skin layers.
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Rich emollients — seal in hydration and prevent moisture loss.
🛒 Shop Winter-Ready Skincare
Ready to stock up? Start with these dermatologist-selected BestDerm products and build a winter routine that keeps your skin supple, soothed, and comfortable all season long.