Winter’s harsh conditions can definitely begin to take a toll on our skin, leaving our face feeling exceedingly dry. These are my tried and true skincare essentials that continue to get my 30-plus-year-old skin through the Great Lakes winters, and all the wind and frigid temperatures that come along with it. In this post, not only will I be discussing the products that I use, but also the order that I apply them in and the benefits that each product provides. This is not a sponsored post, so you can be sure you are getting my raw, unfiltered opinion on the products discussed. So without further ado, let’s begin:
Cleansing
There are two types of cleansers I use: oil-based and water-based. I start by using a pump of my Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil. Oil-based cleansers are excellent for sloughing off any makeup, SPF, and excess sebum at the end of the day. Not only is this a great cleansing agent, but this formula includes ingredients like Olive Fruit Oil that helps alleviate dry skin.
I follow this up with a pump of the Cera Ve foaming cleanser. This cleanser helps to remove any additional dirt and sweat remaining on the face. This non-irritating cleanser is fragrance-free and contains both hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help lock in moisture and maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Both cleansers are similar in pH to that of our skin’s pH of (between 4.5 and 5). Why is this important? Because the closer in pH to our skin, the less drying a cleanser will be while also helping the skin to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Toners
After cleansing my skin at the end of the day, I begin my nightly skincare routine by applying my toner. Toners are essentially the “primer” for applying skincare, as they help to remove excess dirt leftover after cleansing and help to remove dead skin cells on the surface. I use The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%+ HA nightly during the winter months because of its gentle exfoliant nature that is less harsh on sensitive or dry skin. I apply ~4-5 drops to my fingertips and gently pat around my face, being careful to avoid directly around my eyes. (Helpful note: never touch the dropper directly to your skin, as this can transfer bacteria from your skin back into the bottle).
Serums
Next, I apply the Multi-Peptide+ HA serum by The Ordinary (in the PM) or Torriden Dive In 5D Hyaluronic Acid Serum (in the AM). Both these serums contain hyaluronic acid (HA), which is an excellent humectant (a fancy way of saying it can draw moisture from the surrounding air to your skin). Our body naturally produces HA, so it is excellent for use on sensitive and dry skin and moisturizes the face to help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I use these by applying 6 drops to my fingertips and gently patting all over my face and neck.
Retinal
I then apply The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% emulsion high-strength retinoid (only in the PM). This product helps with cell turnover and, in turn, helps improve skin texture, fine lines, and dark spots. When I first started using retinal, I had to start gradually (2 times a week) and slowly work up to using it nightly. Why? Because skin needs time to build up tolerance to the use of retinoids. Starting with too much too quickly can lead to irritation and peeling.
Please note: This product should only be used at night. Some retinoids can easily break down in the sunlight, rendering them ineffective. Additionally, retinoids can make the skin more vulnerable and sensitive to the sun due to increased cell turnover, so be sure to apply SPF during the day.
Moisturizer
The last step to my nightly skincare routine is applying my moisturizer to lock in all the goodness from my previous steps. I use S. Nature aqua squalane moisturizing cream at night and Aestura Atobarrier 365 cream moisturizer during the day. S. Nature’s cream has helped immensely with improving my skin’s texture in the winter months. The squalane in this helps to prevent moisture loss, and it has been great for my sensitive skin. Aestura Atobarrier 365 cream has a great lightweight feel that leaves my skin feeling nourished and supple. Makeup can also be applied seamlessly over top of this without concern of creasing or caking.
SPF
I have tried several sunscreens throughout the last 10 years, and the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella hyalu-cica water-fit sun serum is by far my favorite. After applying my daytime HA and moisturizer, I apply this 50+ SPF before starting my makeup. This SPF blends seamlessly into my skin without any white cast and never burns my eyes. I can easily apply my makeup over this without worrying about cakiness or creases under my eyes.
But do you need SPF in the winter with all the cloudy days? Most definitely! Harmful UVA rays can penetrate clouds, and up to 80% of the rays that make it to the Earth’s surface can be reflected by snow and ice (1).
Disclaimer: If you have any skin allergies, skin conditions, or sensitive skin, I recommend consulting with your doctor before using any of the products mentioned above. Everyone’s skin is differen,t and these are the products that work best currently for my skin.
Conclusion
I hope this article helps you along in your winter skincare routine journey. Please let me know in the comments if you decide to try any of the products mentioned. Winter conditions can be harsh, but that doesn’t mean our skin has to follow suit!
Disclaimer: If you have any skin allergies, skin conditions, or sensitive skin, I recommend consulting with your doctor before using any of the products mentioned above. Everyone’s skin is different, and these are the products that work best currently for my skin.
Sources:
- Dr. Dore Gilbert, Why You Need Sunscreen in the Winter (February 19, 2024), accessed January 2026, https://drdoregilbert.com/2024/02/19/why-you-need-sunscreen-in-the-winter/.
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