Seasonal Skincare Guide
Your Ultimate Winter Skincare Routine
As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, our skin often starts to feel the effects of winter: dryness, flakiness, and even unexpected breakouts. Seasonal changes call for a skincare reset, tailored to your skin’s cold-weather needs.
If you’ve been wondering how to adjust your skincare routine for winter, the answer lies in a simple, effective routine focused on hydration, barrier protection, and gentle care.
Your skin’s needs in winter
When winter arrives, humidity drops both indoors and out. Combined with indoor heating, cold air can zap your skin’s moisture, weaken the skin barrier, and leads to increased dryness, sensitivity, and irritation.
It’s common to notice more breakouts or a loss of your usual glow, often replaced by a dull, flaky texture. The good news? This is manageable with the right approach.
Key ingredients for winter skincare
K-beauty ingredients shine in winter for their ability to deeply hydrate, soothe, and strengthen the skin. Look out for these winter-friendly favourites:
- Hyaluronic Acid — draws moisture in for plump, dewy skin
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5) — calms irritation and supports healing
- Ceramides — rebuild and reinforce the barrier to prevent moisture loss
- Centella Asiatica (Cica) — soothes redness and supports recovery
- Squalane — mimics natural oils for lightweight nourishment
- Snail Mucin — supports regeneration and elasticity (great for dryness)
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) — brightens dullness and strengthens resilience
- Green Tea + Fermented Rice Water — antioxidants + gentle nourishment
- Birch Sap — vitamins/minerals that restore softness and glow
- Aloe Vera + Shea Butter — soothing, long-lasting moisture
Additional tips for winter skincare
Sometimes, skincare isn’t just about products. A few simple habits can help maintain healthy, hydrated skin and keep your glow steady throughout the colder months.
- Use a humidifier — helps counter indoor heating dryness (especially overnight)
- Hydrate — drink plenty of water to support elasticity and barrier function
- Avoid hot water — switch to lukewarm showers to prevent oil stripping
- Apply products to damp skin — locks in moisture and improves absorption
- Don’t skip sunscreen — UV still damages skin even in winter
Essential winter skincare steps
An effective winter routine doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs to be intentional and consistent. Each step protects your skin from cold air, wind, and indoor heating so you stay soft, comfortable, and glowing.
The essentials: cleanse · serum · moisturiser · overnight hydration
Step 1: Best face wash for dry skin in winter
Start with a gentle, hydrating cleanser that removes dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural oils. In winter, your skin produces less sebum, so harsh foaming cleansers can worsen dryness, tightness, and sensitivity.
Look for milky, gel-to-oil, or balm-based cleansers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and botanical oils. If you wear makeup or SPF daily, consider double cleansing: oil-based cleanser first, then a gentle second cleanse. Your skin should feel soft and refreshed—never squeaky.
Our top picks
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil
- Why we love it: makeup/SPF melt-down without dryness
- Great for: first cleanse (especially in winter)
- Price range: R139 – R409 (VAT incl.)
VT Cosmetics Cica Mild Foam Cleanser
- Why we love it: gentle cleanse with a calm finish
- Great for: second cleanse, sensitive skin
- Price: R299 (VAT incl.)
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Double Cleansing Duo
- Why we love it: balanced cleansing that supports a calm barrier
- Great for: anyone who wants an easy double cleanse set
- Price: R599 (VAT incl.)
Step 2: Apply a hydrating serum
After cleansing, your skin is more receptive to active ingredients, making this the perfect time to apply a deeply hydrating serum. Choose formulas rich in hyaluronic acid, panthenol (Vitamin B5), or beta-glucan to draw water into the skin and keep it plump.
Pro tip: press serum into the skin instead of rubbing. If you’re very dry, layer two lightweight hydration serums instead of relying on one heavy product.
Our top picks
Tirtir SOS Serum
- Great for: dehydrated, stressed winter skin
- Price: R639 (VAT incl.)
Anua Birch 70 Moisture Boosting Serum
- Great for: soft glow + long-lasting hydration
- Price: R519 (VAT incl.)
Anua PDRN + Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
- Great for: plumper-looking skin and barrier comfort
- Price: R599 (VAT incl.)
Step 3: Moisturise well
This is the cornerstone of your winter routine. A good winter moisturiser doesn’t just sit on the surface—it should nourish, repair, and protect.
Look for creams with ceramides, squalane, shea butter, and Centella Asiatica (Cica) to restore your lipid barrier and calm irritation caused by cold air and indoor heating.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, don’t skip moisturiser—just choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic option. Gel-cream hybrids can balance moisture and help prevent winter breakouts.
Our top picks
COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream
- Great for: comfort, repair support, bouncy hydration
- Price: R379 (VAT incl.)
Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream 80ml
- Great for: barrier support, sensitive winter skin
- Price: R779 (VAT incl.)
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Moisture Cream
- Great for: calm hydration and daily comfort
- Price: R439 (VAT incl.)
- Status: Read more
Step 4: Lock in moisture overnight
Nighttime is when your skin shifts into repair mode—making it the perfect time for a richer product like a night cream or sleeping mask. These are often formulated with higher concentrations of ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and nourishing oils to address dullness, texture, and dehydration.
Sleeping masks create a protective layer to reduce transepidermal water loss, helping you wake up softer and more radiant.
Our top picks
Heimish Algae + Panthenol Deep Moisture Nourishing Melting Cream 55ml
- Great for: deep moisture + barrier comfort
- Price: R499 (VAT incl.)
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Water Sleeping Mask
- Great for: bouncy hydration overnight
- Price: R429 (VAT incl.)
Mary & May Calendula Peptide Ageless Sleeping Mask
- Great for: soothing + peptide support
- Price range: R139 – R439 (VAT incl.)
Stay radiant all winter long
Your winter skincare doesn’t have to be complex, just intentional. Small swaps can make a big difference. Here are a few easy upgrades to consider:
- Swap foaming cleansers for creamy or balm-based formulas.
- Add an oil-based serum/booster for extra nourishment.
- Use a weekly mask for glowing skin.
- Don’t forget lips, apply a rich balm daily.
Remember: the best winter skincare isn’t about using more, it’s about choosing better. With a few smart swaps and consistent steps, you can glow through the cold with calm, comfortable skin.
Key takeaway
Winter skin thrives on gentle cleansing, deep hydration, and barrier support. Build around a hydrating cleanser, a water-binding serum, a barrier-rich moisturiser, and an overnight seal, then protect your progress with daily SPF. Keep it consistent, and your glow will last all season.
