Dry, oily, combination, sensitive, normal and acne-prone skin in winter.
Yes, oily skin needs moisturiser in winter too, because oil and water are different things; in dry air even oily skin loses water. Morning and night, after washing, apply a pea-sized amount of a light gel cream, such as Cerave Oil Control Moisturizing Gel Cream. Skipping moisturiser can make skin produce even more oil and feel tight.
For oily skin, a gel or gel-cream is still the best choice in winter; a heavy cream is usually not needed. In the morning use a light gel like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Aqua Gel. If your cheeks feel tight at night, apply a little more on the cheeks only, or add a second layer. Use less on a shiny nose and forehead.
Tightness after washing means your face wash is too harsh for winter. Foaming, salicylic or charcoal washes strip the skin barrier in winter. Use a mild, low-foam gel cleanser twice a day, such as COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, for 30 seconds with lukewarm water. Then apply moisturiser within a minute.
Oil drops a little in winter, but an oily skin type does not change; and when a harsh wash dries the skin, more oil follows. A mild cleanser twice a day, a light gel moisturiser, and 2–3 drops of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% in the morning help control oil. Use blotting paper during the day instead of washing again and again.
In winter, oily skin needs a face wash that removes oil without leaving tightness, such as CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser or Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Gel. Twice a day, morning and night, with lukewarm water is enough. If you use a salicylic wash, cut it to once a day in winter, at night. Scrub no more than once a week.
For oily skin, a thin gel, fluid or matte-finish sunscreen still works best in winter, such as Cetaphil Very High Protection Light Gel Sun SPF50 Plus. Apply two finger-lengths to the face and neck after moisturiser, 15 minutes before going out. If you are outdoors at midday, reapply every 2–3 hours. Thick, creamy sunscreens can trigger breakouts on oily skin.
For dry skin in winter, a thick cream with ceramides and glycerin works best, such as Cerave Moisturising Cream For Dry to Very Dry Skin or Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream. Apply morning and night while the face is still damp after washing. About two pea-sized amounts is enough for the face. If it feels tight during the day, reapply a little. Avoid scented creams.
If your face still feels tight or rough 2 hours after applying, your cream is not thick enough; if it feels greasy or you get small bumps, it is too heavy. Dry skin suits a rich cream such as Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser; oily skin suits a gel-cream. Many people use a lighter cream by day and a richer one at night, which is a good approach.
For dry skin in winter, use a creamy, low-foam hydrating cleanser, such as CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser Normal to Dry. Washing with cleanser once at night is enough; in the morning, lukewarm water alone is fine. Do not scrub; massage gently for 30 seconds and rinse. Soap or foaming face washes make dry skin even tighter.
No. Scrubbing a flaky face in winter breaks the barrier further and increases irritation. Apply a thick cream to flaky areas twice a day, a little more generously at night, such as Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra-Nourishing Cream. In 3–5 days the flakes soften and come away on their own. If they persist after that, you can exfoliate very gently once a week.
For dry skin, a creamy or moisturising sunscreen is the most comfortable, such as Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Niacinamide SPF50+ PA++++ or Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Gel SPF50+ PA++++. Apply two finger-lengths in the morning once moisturiser has settled. Matte, oil-control or powder sunscreens show dry patches on dry skin, so avoid them in winter.
It is not essential, but on very dry or tight skin a hydrating serum helps a lot. While the face is still damp after washing, apply 2–3 drops of The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, then put a thick cream on top straight away. In a dry room, serum left on its own can actually feel tighter, so always seal it with cream.
This is combination skin; the fix is changing the amount by zone. Apply a light moisturiser to the whole face, such as iUNIK Beta-Glucan Daily Moisture Cream, then add a second layer on the cheeks only. Keep one thin layer on the nose and forehead. Use a mild cleanser, because a harsh wash dries the cheeks further and boosts T-zone oil.
For most people one medium moisturiser is enough; just change the amount by zone. If the cheeks are very dry you can keep two: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Aqua Gel on the whole face, and a richer cream on the cheeks only at night, such as Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream. To save money, try one first.
For combination skin in winter, a low-foam, balanced gel cleanser is best, such as Axis-Y Quinoa One-Step Balanced Gel Cleanser. Wash thoroughly at night and lightly in the morning. Massage the nose and forehead a little longer and the cheeks less. If skin feels tight after washing, switch to something milder; do not use a separate harsh wash on the oily zone.
For combination skin, a light sunscreen that hydrates without greasiness works well, such as Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++. In the morning, after moisturiser, spread two finger-lengths evenly over the face, rubbing less on the T-zone. If the nose and forehead shine by midday, blot with a tissue first, then reapply.
Stinging when you apply cream usually means the skin barrier has weakened in winter. Cut your routine down for 2 weeks: a mild cleanser, then a fragrance-free ceramide cream such as Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Dry to Very Dry, Sensitive Skin, and sunscreen by day. Pause acids, retinol, vitamin C and scrubs. See a doctor for swelling, blisters or stinging that does not ease.
Cold wind and suddenly entering a warm room bring redness to sensitive skin. Before going out, apply a good layer of a soothing, fragrance-free cream, such as Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream, then sunscreen. On a bike or rickshaw, cover your face with a scarf. Back home, wash with lukewarm, not hot, water. If redness stays all the time, see a doctor.
For sensitive skin, choose a fragrance-free cream with a short ingredient list and ceramides or panthenol, such as Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream or Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Dry to Very Dry, Sensitive Skin. Apply morning and night after washing. Avoid essential oils, alcohol and strong fragrance. Test a new cream behind the ear for 2–3 days first.
For sensitive skin in winter, use a very mild, fragrance-free cleanser, such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Normal To Dry & Sensitive Skin. Once at night is enough; in the morning, water alone is fine. Apply gently with fingertips, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel. If you wear makeup, take it off first with a micellar water such as Bioderma's.
Sensitive skin does best with a fragrance-free, mild sunscreen; many find mineral or hybrid formulas comfortable, such as La Roche Posay Anthelios Uvmune 400 Hydrating Cream SPF50+. Apply two finger-lengths after moisturiser. If it stings around the eyes, use less there. Test a new sunscreen along the jawline for 2 days first.
Apply half a pea-sized amount of the new cream behind the ear or along the jawline twice a day for 2–3 days. If there is no redness, itching, stinging or bumps, start using it on the whole face. With sensitive skin, never start more than one new product at a time; for example, begin with Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream alone and add the next a week later.
Only a small change is needed: normal skin also gets a little dry in winter, so move from a light lotion to a medium cream, such as Cerave Moisturizing Cream For Normal To Dry Skin. If your face wash leaves tightness, switch to a hydrating cleanser. Keep moisturiser morning and night and sunscreen by day. There is no need to change what is already working.
Three steps are enough for normal skin in winter. Morning: wash with water or a mild cleanser, moisturiser, then sunscreen. Night: wash with Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Gel and moisturise. Put lip balm on your lips. Serums are optional; if your skin is doing well, do not pile on new products.
For acne-prone skin, choose a light, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free moisturiser, such as Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer or Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra Moisturising Lotion. Apply a pea-sized amount morning and night after washing. If you use an acne treatment, do not skip moisturiser; dry, cracked skin takes longer to heal from breakouts.
In winter, change how you use adapalene rather than stopping. Apply a pea-sized amount of Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% to the whole face on dry skin, every other night. Apply moisturiser before and after (the sandwich method). Keep it off the lips and nose corners. Sunscreen by day is essential. Do not use it if pregnant or trying to conceive; ask your doctor.
In winter, use these acne face washes once a day, at night; in the morning use a mild cleanser, such as CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser. If your face gets very tight or starts peeling, go to every other day. Leave the wash on for 30–60 seconds, rinse, then moisturise. Do not stack several active products at once.
Common reasons breakouts rise in winter are dry, weakened skin, very heavy greasy creams, washing with hot water, and changing pillowcases less often. Keep a mild cleanser, a light non-comedogenic moisturiser and a single acne treatment at night, such as The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. Change your pillowcase twice a week.
Some thick, oil-based creams can clog pores on acne-prone skin and bring small bumps or breakouts, but not every rich cream does. If you are acne-prone, avoid coconut oil, cocoa butter or heavy balms on the face. Instead, use a gel-cream like Purito Seoul Oat-In Calming Gel Cream, with two layers on dry areas.
Do not squeeze it; at night, on a clean face, put on a hydrocolloid patch such as COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch, which draws out fluid and stops you touching it. Remove it in the morning, wash and follow your normal routine. Do not use toothpaste or lemon on dry winter skin; it increases irritation. See a doctor for repeated large, painful pimples or scarring.
Dry skin lacks oil, so it feels rough and flakes all day; dehydrated skin lacks water, so it feels tight even with oil present, and fine lines show when you smile. Dry skin needs a rich ceramide cream. Dehydrated skin needs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 on a damp face, then a light moisturiser. In winter many people have both at once.
This is usually dehydrated oily skin: oil is there but water is low, often from a harsh face wash or dry air. Switch to a mild cleanser, apply Cerave Hydrating Toner on a damp face, then a light gel moisturiser. Within 2–3 weeks both the tightness and the extra oil usually settle.
In winter you usually only need to change two things: the face wash and the moisturiser. Move from a harsh foaming wash to a mild or hydrating cleanser, and from a light gel to a slightly richer cream, such as Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream (for dry or normal skin). Exfoliate less. Keep sunscreen. Do not swap everything at once; change one at a time.
In Bangladesh, move to a richer cream around mid-November, when fog appears and your face starts feeling tight after washing. Return to a light gel when it warms up in late February or March, such as Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Aqua Gel. Decide by how your skin feels, not by the calendar.
For the face and neck, about one to two pea-sized amounts is enough. Use less on oily skin and more on dry skin. Dot it on five spots (forehead, both cheeks, nose, chin) and spread gently without rubbing. With a cream like Cerave Moisturizing Cream For Normal To Dry Skin, using a little more at night in winter keeps skin soft by morning.
Moisturiser first, then sunscreen. Wash, apply moisturiser, let it settle for 2–3 minutes, then apply two finger-lengths of sunscreen. On dry skin, a moisturising sunscreen like Cerave Hydrating Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF50 shows fewer dry patches. If you are short of time, one moisturising sunscreen can do both jobs, but very dry skin does better with a separate cream.
Exfoliate less in winter: once every 2 weeks or not at all for dry and sensitive skin, once a week for normal skin, and 1–2 times a week for oily or acne-prone skin. A gentle acid beats a gritty scrub, such as COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid at night, followed by moisturiser. Stop immediately if it stings. If pregnant, ask your doctor.
Toner is not compulsory, but in winter an alcohol-free hydrating toner helps ease tightness. After washing, take a few drops of Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner in your palm and press it in, then moisturise. Toners with alcohol or acids can sting dry and sensitive skin in winter.
Your underlying skin type does not change, but its condition does: oily skin gets less shiny, normal skin dries, dry skin cracks. So change the thickness and amount of your products. To check your real type, wash and apply nothing, then see after an hour where it is oily and where it is tight. A medium cream like The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan suits most types.
On dry skin, 2–3 drops of a light face oil over cream at night in winter helps lock in moisture, such as CeraVe Skin Renewing Gel Oil. Oily or acne-prone skin usually does not need face oil and may break out. Do not put mustard or coconut oil on your face; they clog pores for many people. Oil is never a substitute for moisturiser.