My Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin (From Someone Who Lives at 9,000 Feet)
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I don’t need a weather app to know winter has arrived in Crested Butte. I know because one morning in early November I wash my face, and my skin feels two sizes too small. 😬 Cold air, indoor heat and high-altitude sun are a rough combination.
Over the years I’ve figured out that winter skin isn’t about buying more products. It’s about switching to gentler, richer ones and layering them in the right order. This is the exact routine I follow from November through March.
A quick note: I’m not a dermatologist. Patch test anything new, and check with your doctor or dermatologist if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition.
My Morning Routine
1. A Gentle Cream Cleanser
The first swap I make every winter: goodbye foaming cleanser, hello cream cleanser. Foaming washes can strip dry skin even more.
Why it works: A creamy, non-foaming formula cleans without leaving your skin tight.
What to look for: Fragrance-free, with hydrating ingredients like glycerin or ceramides. Use lukewarm water, never hot.
Shop it: Hydrating Cream Cleanser
2. A Hydrating Toner or Essence
I pat this on with my hands right after cleansing, while my skin is still damp. It’s the first layer of hydration.
Why it works: It preps your skin so everything after it absorbs better.
What to look for: An alcohol-free, hydrating toner or essence. Skip anything that stings.
Shop it: Hydrating Toner
3. Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Hyaluronic acid pulls water into your skin, but here’s the trick for dry climates: apply it to damp skin and seal it in with moisturizer right away.
Why it works: It gives you a plump, bouncy layer of hydration under your cream.
What to look for: A simple, fragrance-free serum, often paired with B5 or glycerin.
Shop it: Hyaluronic Acid Serum
4. Vitamin C Serum (Optional)
This is my brightening step for winter dullness. If your skin feels irritated, skip it for a few days. Winter is about comfort first.
Why it works: Vitamin C helps skin look brighter and pairs well with daily sunscreen.
What to look for: A gentle formula in an opaque or amber bottle. Sensitive skin may prefer a lower strength.
Shop it: Vitamin C Serum
5. A Rich Ceramide Moisturizer
This is the most important step. My summer gel moisturizer goes in the cabinet, and a thick cream comes out.
Why it works: Ceramides support your skin’s moisture barrier, which is exactly what cold, dry air wears down.
What to look for: A rich cream with ceramides, shea butter or squalane, labeled fragrance-free.
Shop it: Ceramide Moisturizer
6. Mineral Sunscreen, Every Day
Yes, in winter. UV exposure is higher at altitude, and snow reflects the sun right back at you. I keep a stick in my coat for reapplying on ski days.
Why it works: Daily SPF protects against sunburn and sun damage all year.
What to look for: Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, in a moisturizing mineral lotion or a pocket-size stick.
Shop it: Mineral Face Sunscreen + Sunscreen Stick
My Evening Routine
7. A Cleansing Balm
At night I melt off sunscreen and makeup with a balm first, then follow with my cream cleanser if I wore a lot of makeup.
Why it works: Oil-based balms dissolve makeup and SPF without scrubbing or stripping.
What to look for: A balm that turns into a milky oil and rinses clean with water.
Shop it: Cleansing Balm
8. A Gentle Retinol or Peptide Night Serum
In winter I use my retinol only two or three nights a week. On the other nights I use a calming peptide serum.
Why it works: Fewer retinol nights means less dryness, and peptides support smoother-looking skin without irritation.
What to look for: A low-strength or encapsulated retinol for beginners, or a peptide serum for sensitive skin. Skip retinol if you’re pregnant or nursing, and ask your doctor if you’re unsure.
Shop it: Gentle Retinol Serum + Peptide Serum
9. A Few Drops of Squalane Oil
On the driest nights I press two or three drops of squalane over my moisturizer. It’s lightweight and doesn’t feel greasy.
Why it works: A face oil on top helps lock in everything underneath.
What to look for: 100% plant-derived squalane, fragrance-free.
Shop it: Squalane Face Oil
10. An Overnight Sleeping Mask
Twice a week, I swap my night cream for a sleeping mask. It’s my winter “rescue” step after a long ski day or a dry, windy week.
Why it works: It’s an extra-hydrating layer that works while you sleep.
What to look for: A gel-cream mask with hydrating and soothing ingredients.
Shop it: Overnight Sleeping Mask
Winter Extras That Make a Big Difference
11. A Lip Sleeping Mask
Chapped lips are basically a Colorado winter rite of passage. A thick lip mask at bedtime is the fix.
Why it works: You wake up with soft lips instead of flaky ones, and lipstick goes on smoother.
What to look for: A rich, balmy lip mask, plus an SPF lip balm for daytime.
Shop it: Lip Sleeping Mask + SPF Lip Balm
12. A Bedroom Humidifier
If I could only keep one item on this list, it might be this one. Running a humidifier while I sleep makes a noticeable difference in how my skin feels in the morning.
Why it works: It adds moisture back into the air, which dry indoor heat pulls out of your skin.
What to look for: A quiet cool-mist model sized for your bedroom, with an easy-to-clean tank. Clean it regularly.
Shop it: Cool-Mist Humidifier
The Quick Cheat Sheet
- Swap, don’t add: foaming cleanser → cream cleanser, gel → rich cream
- Layer on damp skin: toner, then hyaluronic acid, then moisturizer right away
- SPF every day: especially at altitude and around snow
- Go easy on actives: retinol two or three nights a week
- Fix the air: run a humidifier while you sleep
Shop the Whole Routine
| Step | Why It Works | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Cream Cleanser | Cleans without stripping. | Shop |
| Hydrating Toner | First layer of hydration. | Shop |
| Hyaluronic Acid Serum | Plump, bouncy hydration. | Shop |
| Vitamin C Serum | Brightens winter dullness. | Shop |
| Ceramide Moisturizer | Supports the moisture barrier. | Shop |
| Mineral Sunscreen | Daily protection, even in snow. | Shop |
| Cleansing Balm | Melts makeup and SPF gently. | Shop |
| Retinol or Peptide Serum | Smoother-looking skin, gently. | Shop |
| Squalane Oil | Locks everything in. | Shop |
| Sleeping Mask | Extra hydration overnight. | Shop |
| Lip Sleeping Mask | Soft lips by morning. | Shop |
| Bedroom Humidifier | Puts moisture back in the air. | Shop |
Visiting the mountains this winter? My Colorado winter packing guide includes a travel-friendly version of this routine, and my fall beauty refresh covers the switch from summer.
Winter skin doesn’t have to mean tight, flaky and uncomfortable until spring. Go gentle, go rich, layer smart, and wear your sunscreen. Your skin will thank you by March. ❄️
What’s your must-have winter skincare product? Tell me in the comments, and save this routine to Pinterest for the cold months ahead.
XO, Heather
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