I'm a Certified Skincare Coach This is My Skincare Routine for My Sensitive, Dry Skin
Last updated 23 August 2026 · 6 min read
Key takeaways
- My skincare routine for sensitive, dry skin works best when it's simple, gentle and barrier-supporting fewer steps, not more.
- Cold air and indoor heating increase water loss from the skin (transepidermal water loss), so dry, sensitive skin usually needs extra support through the cooler months.
- A workable order: gentle cleanse → hydrating serum → targeted balm where needed → nourishing facial oil → SPF50+ every morning.
- Daily SPF50+ is the single most impactful step, rain, hail or shine.
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You've survived the rain, the chilly weekends, the bone cold mornings (sob). But if you're a member of the dry skin club like me, your skin's probably feeling a bit rough, a little tight and more sensitive.
Why your skin changes in winter
Cold air holds less moisture. This means your skin is losing water (we call this Transepidermal Water Loss) faster than it can replace it. When you escape the cold with indoor heating (yay), the air is even drier (not yay) and your skin loses more moisture.
Your skin is always working to maintain balance, so when the climate changes what your skin needs to restore that balance changes. You can support your skin by making small adjustments to your routine for the seasons.
Until a few years ago, I'd always had very sensitive, combination (oily/dry) skin. Now I'm 42, (and perimenopausal), my skin is very dry and even more sensitive. It can feel rough to touch, tight, itchy and reactive, especially during the cooler months.
To rebalance and protect my skin when it's got the winter blues, I simplify my routine with gentle, barrier supporting products and (always) a great sunscreen.
A simple skincare routine for sensitive, dry skin
For sensitive, dry skin, keep it simple and gentle. A morning routine can be as short as a lukewarm rinse, a hydrating serum and SPF50+. At night, cleanse gently, layer a hydrating serum, spot-treat any dry, flaky areas with a balm, and seal everything in with a nourishing facial oil. Add richer products (like a facial oil) through the cooler months rather than overhauling your whole routine.
Why I choose Biobod
The Biobod range has been developed to restore balance to sensitive skin, strengthen your skin barrier, calm inflammation and soothe irritation. The unique blend of phyto-actives (active ingredients found in plants) and antioxidants, as well as probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics gently hydrate and nourish your skin while relieving discomfort.
In the morning, I rinse my skin with lukewarm water, before applying the Replenishing Hydra-Soothe Serum. Two pumps, gently pressed into my face, neck and chest immediately quenches and relieves my skin.
At night I use the Calming Balancing Cleanse Bar and follow up with the Hydra-Soothe Serum before applying my active serum. I'm a huge fan of multipurpose products like the Cleanse Bar. It's gentle but effective enough to use on the face and body, which makes it a great product to keep in the shower and my travel case. It's so clever and convenient.
During the cooler months, the skin around my eyes and mouth can get really dry and flaky. Not the cutest. I use the Probiotic Salvation Balm as a targeted treatment. A tiny amount, gently pressed into those crusty areas helps repair and smooth my skin throughout the day and overnight. No more crusties, just soft, gorgeous skin.
The hero of my winter skincare routine is definitely the Barrier Restore Nutrient Oil. The formula is so nourishing, I honestly don't know how my skin survived winter before. I like to press a few drops onto my skin, then take a minute to gently massage my face and neck using the Skin Reformer Gua Sha. This little ritual helps me feel grounded in the moment and temporarily reduces puffiness so I feel a little more snatched. Honestly, what's not to love?
Shop the routine
Sun protection is the most important step in your skincare routine
Rain, hail or shine, sun protection is the most impactful step in your skincare routine. UV can present as burns, uneven skin tone, and most commonly changes in skin colour, like darkening and pigmentation. This visible change in skin darkening (tan) indicates cellular disruption because the DNA in your skin has been damaged.
Wearing SPF50+ daily will help protect your skin from skin cancers, sun burns and sun damage. It's also one of the most effective ways to prevent premature skin aging.
I love the lightweight Mother Tinted Base SPF50+ for my out-and-about days. The mineral formula is super protective and feels gorgeous on my skin. The slight tint helps even my skin tone without leaving a colour caste.
As a skincare coach, I've tested about a hundred mineral sunscreens. Mother Tinted Base SPF50+ is the first that didn't dry out and irritate my skin or leave a blue or orange cast. It's such a comfy all-day wear, even during the winter months.
Your skin's always working to find balance and what it needs will keep changing over time. You don't need to replace all of your products to adjust to these changes. Small tweaks, like adding the Barrier Restore Nutrient Oil during the cooler months, will give your skin the extra support it needs without breaking the bank or your barrier.
No matter how your skin changes, daily SPF50+ is non-negotiable for healthy, protected and gorgeous skin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best skincare routine for sensitive, dry skin?
The best routine for sensitive, dry skin is usually the simplest one: a gentle cleanser, a hydrating serum, a nourishing facial oil to seal in moisture, and SPF50+ every morning. Sensitive skin tends to react to too many active ingredients at once, so fewer, barrier-supporting steps generally work better than a long, complicated routine.
What order should I apply products in for dry, sensitive skin?
Apply from thinnest to thickest texture. In the morning: rinse or cleanse gently, apply a hydrating serum, then SPF50+. At night: cleanse gently, apply a hydrating serum, spot-treat dry or flaky areas with a balm, then seal everything in with a facial oil.
Can I use a facial oil if my skin is sensitive?
Yes. A nourishing facial oil can be one of the most comforting steps for dry, sensitive skin, especially in the cooler months, because it helps seal in the hydration from the products underneath. Apply it as the last step of your evening routine, after your water-based serum, so it locks moisture in.
How do I adjust my routine for winter?
You don't need to replace everything. Cold air and indoor heating pull more moisture from the skin, so the simplest adjustment is to add a richer, more nourishing layer — like a facial oil — during the cooler months and keep the rest of your routine gentle and consistent.
Do I still need SPF in winter?
Yes. UV exposure happens rain, hail or shine, so SPF50+ every morning is the most impactful step in any routine, all year round, including winter.
by Tenille Hellier, certified skincare coach.
Tenille Hellier is the founder of It's Tenille, an online personalised skincare service based in Adelaide. She joined the VAMS Beauty family in 2026 and shares our dedication to elevating woman-owned Australian beauty brands.
A certified skincare coach, Tenille built her practice on the idea that skincare should be as simple as possible for consumers. Her personalised skincare programs and product recommendations are based on her rigorous product selection protocol because she knows every product should earn its place in your routine. You can find Tenille on Instagram, Facebook and Substack. She doesn't think she's cool enough for TikTok.
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