Your Guide to Winter Skincare

Winter is rolling in with cold air, harsh winds, low humidity, and indoor heating. If your skin is starting to feel tight, flaky, dehydrated, or more reactive than usual, your fall lineup might not cut it anymore. As the seasons change, so should your skincare routine.

This is your sign to bring in richer creams, deeper hydration, and barrier-loving products that protect, replenish, and soothe. Let’s talk about how to transition your skincare routine from fall to winter and keep your skin glowing, even in the coldest months!

Tips for Introducing New Skincare

Start by understanding your skin type, then adjust product textures, formulas, and ingredients to match your skin’s needs as the seasons change. If you’re adding new products to your routine, keep these tips in mind:

• Patch Test First: Apply a small amount of any new product to your inner arm or behind your ear, wait 24-48 hours, and check for irritation before using it on your face.
• Take It Slow: Introduce new products one at a time to avoid irritation and see what actually works for your skin.
• Be Patient: Give your skin time to adjust before making major changes. If you notice irritation, redness, or discomfort, stop using the product.

Refreshing your core routine with the right products can make a big difference in keeping your skin hydrated, balanced, and resilient. Follow these skincare tips and explore our winter-ready picks to make the switch a breeze!

Start with a Gentle Cleanser

Swap lightweight foams for hydrating gel, cream, oil, or balm cleansers that effectively remove impurities without stripping your skin. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, centella asiatica, or plant oils to calm and protect your skin barrier.

If you wear makeup or sunscreen, start your evening routine with an oil-based cleanser. Follow with a gentle water-based cleanser, and rinse with lukewarm water.

Recommended Cleansers:

• haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
• Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm
• iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil

Hydrate with Toners or Essences

Hydrating toners do more than refresh your skin. It replenishes moisture, balances pH, reinforces your skin barrier, and preps your skin for all the goodness ahead. For optimal results, layer your toner or choose a slightly thicker, moisture-rich formula. Toner pads are also a great option for combating dryness and soothing sensitivity.

Tip: Apply immediately after cleansing. Layer once or twice before serums and creams, or leave toner pads on for 3-5 minutes for extra hydration.

Recommended Toners:

• Anua Rice 70 Intensive Moisturizing Milk
• ROVECTIN Aqua Hyaluronic Essence
• Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Multi Pad

Nourish with Serums or Ampoules

Boost your routine with serums or ampoules to keep tight, itchy, or flaky winter skin in check. Soothing hydration heroes like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, centella asiatica, ceramides, and peptides draw moisture into the skin and support barrier repair.

Recommended Serums:

• SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule
• Anua 7 Rice Ceramide Hydrating Barrier Serum
• S.NATURE Aqua Squalane Serum

Reach for Rich Moisturizers

Wrap up your skincare routine with a creamy moisturizer. Instead of lightweight lotions or gel-creams, reach for thicker, nourishing creams that lock in moisture and shield from winter dryness. Ingredients like ceramides, squalane, and shea butter keep skin soft, plump, and protected.

Recommended Creams:

• AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream
• Etude SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
• Pyunkang Yul Nutrition Cream

Don’t Skip SPF

Daily SPF is essential, even in winter! Snow, ice, and wet surfaces reflect harmful UV rays, which can also penetrate clouds and windows. A broad-spectrum SPF will help protect your skin and support your barrier.

Finish your morning routine with SPF and reapply throughout the day to maintain that healthy, winter-ready glow. Sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are gentle yet effective, perfect for dry or sensitive skin. Explore our blog post on top-rated Korean mineral sunscreens!

Avoid Over-Exfoliating

Gentle exfoliation removes dead skin, smooths texture, and allows your products to absorb more effectively. Just be careful, as over-exfoliating in drier weather can weaken your skin barrier and cause irritation.

Avoid harsh scrubs and strong actives, and opt for gentle chemical or enzyme-based exfoliants. If your skin feels tight or irritated, reduce the frequency and ease up on AHAs, BHAs, or retinol.

In your evening routine, exfoliate 1-3 times a week, depending on your skin type and the strength of your exfoliant:

• Dry or Sensitive Skin: 1-2 times a week. If you’re new to actives, start once a week and increase gradually if your skin tolerates it.
• Oily or Combination Skin: 2-3 times a week.

Remember: listen to your skin, follow with a rich moisturizer, and apply sunscreen the next day!

Eyes, Lips & Body Care

Don’t forget about eyes, lips, and body! Make it a habit to nourish these often-overlooked areas — your skin will thank you!

• Eyes: Use rich eye creams or soothing eye patches to hydrate and protect your delicate under-eye area.
• Lips: Apply lip masks or balms to care for dry, chapped lips. Tip: Gently exfoliate beforehand for a smooth, supple finish.
• Body: Cold air and frequent washing can cause rough skin. Use rich body lotions and hand creams to stay moisturized!

Extra Hydration Boosters

When your barrier is stressed, your skin may need a little extra love beyond your daily serum and moisturizer. Add these hydration boosters to your routine to lock in moisture and strengthen your barrier!

• Face Masks: Use a sheet mask or overnight mask 2-3 times per week, or even daily for dry or stressed skin.
• Face Mists: Keep a hydrating face mist on hand to calm, refresh, and revitalize your skin throughout the day.
• Face Oils: Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, facial oils help reinforce your skin barrier. Mix or layer it over your moisturizer as the final step in your nighttime routine.

Want to learn more about maintaining a healthy skin barrier? Check out our guide on barrier repair for colder seasons!

Winter Lifestyle Tips

Healthy, glowing skin isn’t just about what you put on your face, it’s also about your daily lifestyle habits! Here are some winter-friendly tips to keep you feeling happy and refreshed:

• Hydration & Nourishment: Drink plenty of water, herbal teas, or broths, and eat a balanced diet to support your skin from within.
• Lifestyle Boosts: Prioritize consistent sleep, manage stress with meditation or breathing exercises, and stay active with yoga, walks, or workouts.
• Mind Your Indoor Climate: Use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air and avoid hot showers that strip your skin’s natural oils.

Not sure what your skin needs? Our beauty consultants can help! Visit one of our 15+ locations to receive personalized guidance, product recommendations, and expert tips to build a winter skincare routine that’s perfect for you.

Final Takeaways

Focusing on hydration and barrier repair is key to keeping your complexion healthy, soft, and radiant during the winter. Swap lighter products for richer formulas with soothing hero ingredients to tackle the season head-on!

Winter challenges every skin type, so pay attention to how your skin responds to cold, dry conditions, and adjust your routine accordingly. Small, mindful adjustments (both inside and out!) will keep your glow going strong all season long. 💪✨