Your Winter Skincare Routine: How to Keep Skin Hydrated in the Cold
Last updated 27 June 2026 · 7 min read
When the temperature drops, your skin changes with it. Cold air, wind and indoor heating all pull moisture from the skin, so the routine that suited you in summer can leave you feeling tight, flaky or dull by mid-winter. The fix is not a whole new shelf of products, just a few thoughtful swaps.
Here is how to adjust your routine for the cooler months, with clean, in-stock Australian picks for each step. For help by skin type, see our skin-type guide, or see what is new in the latest arrivals.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Winter pulls moisture from the skin, so it often feels drier, tighter and more reactive.
- Switch to a gentle cleanser and add richer hydration, a hyaluronic serum plus a nourishing oil.
- Even oily skin can get dehydrated in winter, so do not skip hydration.
- Keep wearing SPF, UV does not take winter off. Browse moisturisers to start.
In this article
Why Your Skin Changes in Winter
Cold outdoor air holds less moisture, and the heating we run indoors dries things out further. Wind strips the skin's surface, and hot showers, as tempting as they are, wash away the oils that keep the barrier comfortable. The result is skin that can feel tight and look dull, even if it behaves perfectly the rest of the year.
It is not only dry skin that notices. Oily and combination skin can become dehydrated in winter too, lacking water even while still producing oil. That is why the goal in the cooler months is simple: protect and replenish the skin barrier.
QUICK ANSWER
In winter, switch to a gentle cleanser, add richer hydration with a hyaluronic serum and a nourishing facial oil, and keep wearing SPF. The aim is to protect the skin barrier against cold, wind and indoor heating.
How to Adjust Your Routine
You do not need to start over, just shift the emphasis towards comfort and hydration:
- Cleanse more gently. Swap foaming or strong cleansers for a cream formula that will not strip.
- Layer hydration. Add a hyaluronic serum under your moisturiser to draw in water.
- Add a facial oil. A few drops help seal in moisture and support the barrier against the cold.
- Keep your SPF. UV is still around in winter, so sun protection stays in the routine.
The Winter Skincare Edit
These in-stock picks cover the swaps above, gentle, nourishing and Australian-made.
Want more options? Browse facial oils, moisturisers and the latest new arrivals.
Extra Winter Skincare Tips
- Turn the temperature down. Lukewarm water is kinder to your skin than hot showers, which strip away protective oils.
- Do not over-cleanse. Once in the morning and once at night is plenty, over-washing in winter makes dryness worse.
- Mist and layer. A hydrating mist or toner under your serum gives the skin extra water to hold onto.
- Do not forget lips and hands. They feel winter first, so keep a balm and a hand cream close by.
Shop the winter edit
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I change my skincare in winter?
Switch to a gentle cream cleanser, add a hyaluronic serum and a nourishing facial oil for extra hydration, and keep wearing SPF. The focus shifts from controlling oil to protecting and replenishing the skin barrier.
Why is my skin so dry in winter?
Cold air holds less moisture, indoor heating dries the air further, and hot showers strip protective oils. Together they pull water from the skin, leaving it tight and flaky.
Do I still need SPF in winter?
Yes. UV is present year-round, so daily SPF stays in your routine. A hydrating mineral formula protects without adding to winter dryness.
Is facial oil good for winter?
Very. A few drops of a nourishing oil help seal in moisture and support the barrier against cold and wind. Lightweight, non-comedogenic oils suit most skin types.
Can oily skin get dry in winter?
Yes. Oily skin can become dehydrated, lacking water even while producing oil, so it still benefits from a hydrating serum and a lightweight moisturiser.
Explore more: Shop new arrivals, Australian skincare and moisturisers at VAMS Beauty.
Read more on The VAMS Edit: The Best Australian Skincare for Your Skin Type
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