Why Makeup Cracks in Winter, and What to Do

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The short answer

Makeup cracks in winter because the skin underneath is dry and flaky, and matte foundation and lots of powder pull out even more water. The fix is to prepare the skin before makeup: a gentle cleanser, a hydrating toner on damp skin such as Cerave Hydrating Toner, then a moisturiser such as Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser, wait 5 to 10 minutes, then a sunscreen such as Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++, a few more minutes, and only then foundation. Choose a dewy or satin foundation instead of matte, and powder only on the T-zone. At night, remove makeup gently with Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil and apply a rich cream.

Why makeup cracks and looks flaky in winter

In winter the air holds little moisture, the northern wind is dry, and we wash our faces in hot water. Water leaves the top layer of the skin, and tiny dry flakes lift up. When foundation goes over this rough skin, several things happen:

• Foundation clings to dry flakes, so whitish patches show beside the nose and on the chin.
• Matte foundation and powder pull out the little water left, and after a few hours fine cracks appear, which many people call "cakey".
• When you smile or talk, lines show at the corners of the eyes and around the lips.
• Foundation applied before the moisturiser has settled pills, meaning tiny balls roll up when you blend.

So the problem is often not the makeup, but the skin underneath and the order of application.

Prep before makeup: step by step

1. A gentle cleanser. Skip harsh foaming face washes. Use something mild such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Normal To Dry Skin, with lukewarm water.
2. Hydration on damp skin. Pat dry, leave the face slightly damp, then press a few drops of Cerave Hydrating Toner in with your palms. On very dry skin, follow with 2 to 3 drops of a hyaluronic serum.
3. Moisturiser. For dry skin, Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser; for oily or combination skin, a light Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Aqua Gel or Pond's Hydra Miracle with Cera-Hyamino Light Moisturiser. About two pea-sized amounts.
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes. This is the step most people skip. Comb your hair or get dressed meanwhile. Once the moisturiser has settled, it no longer feels slippery to the touch.
5. Sunscreen. Two finger-lengths over face and neck. On dry skin a creamy sunscreen sits better, such as Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++ or La Roche Posay Anthelios Uvmune 400 Hydrating Cream SPF50+. Wait another 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Primer (if you use one). Only where pores are large or makeup slides, and very thin. In winter you can skip primer on the whole face.
7. Lips. Before lipstick, an SPF balm such as Wishcare Ceramide Tinted Lip Balm SPF50. Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes, blot the excess with a tissue, then lipstick.

To be honest: we mainly stock skincare. Primers, foundations and setting sprays are not on our shelf right now. So we are not suggesting any particular brand of these here, only what kind of texture to choose.

Foundation texture: what works in winter

• A dewy or satin finish looks best in winter. Full-matte, "oil control" foundations make cracks worse on dry skin.
• Choose a liquid or cream texture, and less of the heavy stick or powder foundations.
• Use less. Put a little in the centre of the face and blend outwards. Add a bit more only where you need it.
• Press it on with a damp sponge; do not drag. Dragging lifts dry flakes.
• On very dry days you can mix a drop of moisturiser with your foundation in your palm. Coverage drops a little, but the face looks softer.

Less powder, and myths about setting mist

Powder: in winter there is no need to "bake" your whole face in powder. Only on the nose, the middle of the forehead and the chin, very lightly with a brush. Very little under the eyes, or none. A compact powder sunscreen such as Lakme 9 to 5 Sun Expert Compact Powder Sunscreen SPF 40++ is handy for a light T-zone touch-up at midday, but not as a replacement for your morning cream sunscreen.

Three myths about setting mist:

• *"A mist keeps skin hydrated."* A plain water or rose water mist evaporates within minutes, and as it goes it can take some of your skin's water with it. Spraying often does not ease dryness.
• *"A mist fixes cracked makeup."* It looks a little smoother for a while; the real fix is the prep underneath.
• *"With a sunscreen mist I do not need morning sunscreen."* A mist such as Dot & Key Strawberry Dew Sunscreen Mist SPF 50+ PA+++ is handy for reapplying over makeup during the day, but it does not replace the first layer of cream sunscreen. Read how to reapply over makeup in reapplying sunscreen over makeup.

Removing makeup at night: gently

Rubbing while removing makeup does winter skin the most harm.

1. Eyes and lips first. Soak a cotton pad, such as Athena Beaute Cotton Wool Cosmetic Pads, in micellar water, hold it on the eye for 10 seconds, then wipe gently downwards. For example Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Makeup Remover or Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water.
2. Cleansing oil on a dry face. 2 to 3 pumps of Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil or Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, massaged gently for 1 minute.
3. Add a little water until it turns milky, then rinse with lukewarm water.
4. A second wash with a gentle cleanser, if you wore heavy makeup or a water-resistant sunscreen.
5. A rich cream on damp skin, such as Cerave Moisturizing Cream For Normal To Dry Skin. A lip mask on the lips, such as Laneige Lip sleeping mask.

To see which cleansing oil suits whom, read which cleansing oil is good.

Common mistakes

• Foundation straight after moisturiser. It pills and goes on patchy.
• Scrubbing before makeup. Scrubbing the day before or on the day leaves winter skin red and rougher. If needed, once a week, at least 2 days before an event.
• Summer's matte foundation in winter too. When the season changes, change the texture.
• Heavy powder on the whole face. Cracks and lines become more visible.
• Sleeping in makeup. Pores clog, pimples come, the skin dries more. Read what all-day makeup does in does all-day makeup harm your skin.
• Rubbing makeup off hard with tissues or wipes. The thin skin around the eyes suffers most.
• Old sponges and brushes. Wash and dry them once a week.

The Bangladesh reality: wedding season

December to February is our wedding season. Gaye holud, the wedding, the bou-bhaat, several invitations in one week. Makeup stays on for 6 to 10 hours, with air conditioning in the community centre and dry cold wind outside. Under photography lights, cracked makeup shows even more.

• Start a rich cream and a lip mask every night 1 to 2 weeks before the event.
• No new products in the week before the event. If something new gives you a rash, there will be no time to cover it.
• If you go to a parlour, say your skin is dry and ask them to moisturise first and wait.
• Keep in your bag a small moisturiser, a lip balm and tissues. If your lips or the sides of your nose dry out, press a dot on with a fingertip.
• However tired you are when you get home, remove your makeup, apply cream, then sleep.

For the full bridal prep, read winter wedding: bridal skin prep. The same rule applies to people in Dhaka offices who wear light makeup every day: damp skin, moisturiser, wait, sunscreen, then makeup.

To see the whole day's routine, read the 24-hour winter skincare routine.

When to see a doctor

• Your face turns red and swells, itches badly or burns after makeup or a product.
• Your eyelids swell, turn red or water (this can be an allergy to mascara or eyeliner).
• Dry, red, rough patches do not ease after 2 weeks of regular moisturiser.
• You keep getting painful pimples after wearing makeup.

Why buy authentic

The cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen that sit under your makeup all day carry a risk of stinging, rashes and weaker sun protection if they are counterfeit. TheSkinProof is an invoice-verified skincare marketplace: the source of every product is checked against invoices. If a product is proven counterfeit you get 2× your money back; claims must be made within 7 days of delivery. We deliver across Bangladesh, and cash on delivery is available.

Every winter product question answered in one place: Winter FAQ Centre: products