Posted by Jamie McGuire
on November 04, 2025
Short version: winter dryness isn’t just “dry skin.” It’s mostly low humidity + barrier stress driving up TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Fix the environment and your habits, then layer smarter. Below is a simple plan you can follow today. I’ll also link my recommended products for my monthly winter exfoliation treatment.
What Happens to Skin in Fall/Winter (and Why)
- Humidity drops → TEWL rises. Cold, dry air + indoor heat pull water out of your skin faster than you can replace it.
- Barrier lipids deplete. Hot water/steam and over-cleansing dissolve ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids.
- Nerve endings get irritated. A compromised barrier = stingy, tight, reactive skin.
- Actives hit harder. Retinoids/acids feel spicier on a dry barrier, leading to flakes and redness.
Signs you’re “dry”: tight after cleansing/showers, makeup pilling, crepey skin, lips that split despite balm, skin looks flat/dull instead of dewy.
How to Adjust Your Skincare Routine (Step by Step)
1) Skip hot water + don’t wash your face in the shower
Hot water and steam swell then strip the barrier and spike TEWL. Shower for your body, not your face. Keep your face out of the scalding temps altogether.
2) Wash at the sink with filtered, lukewarm water
Lukewarm protects lipids; a simple filter reduces mineral/chlorine load that can be irritating in dry months.
3) Exfoliate less: 1–2× per month max
Over-exfoliating thins the barrier and worsens dehydration. In winter: use gentle formulas (not scrubs) and skip when your skin feels fragile.
4) Hydrate in layers, then seal
- Apply (mist/serum) to dampen skin.
- Follow with a richer/thicker moisturizer
Recommended Moisturizers:
Optional: add a few drops of face oil over moisturizer to seal. (mine is coming soon!)
Additional hydration:
Prioritize eye + lip care daily—these areas dehydrate first:
5) Run a humidifier (game changer)
Clean weekly using distilled white vinegar and always fill with distilled water.
6) Support from the inside
- Bone broth = repair collagen & aminos for skin. (My bone broth recipe)
- Healthy fats (grass fed butter/ghee, olive oil, egg yolks, avocado, red meat) = barrier lipids + fat-soluble vitamins.
- Electrolytes > plain water for hydration that actually sticks. (Electrolytes I love)
7) Keep actives—adjust the pace
- Retinoids: continue, but reduce frequency (every other night or 2–3×/week)
- NO Fragrance/toners: ever.
8) SPF tweaks
- Yes, SPF in winter. UVA (aging) penetrates year-round and through windows. Finish mornings with mineral SPF.
Simple Winter Blueprint (for reference)
AM: Lukewarm water rinse → hydrating mist to dampen skin → serum →richer moisturizer → mineral SPF.
PM: Gentle cleanse → hydrating mist → serum → moisturizer → optional face oil to seal → hydration mask 1–3×/week.
(I’ll link exact product recs in the post so you can plug-and-play.)
Cleanser (choose 1): Gentle Cleanse or Deep Clean
Mist (choose 1): Infuse, Boost, or Blue Peptide Mist
Serums (choose 1-2): Replenish, Rescue, Stemfactor or Correct
Moisturizer (choose 1): Youth Daily, C.A.R.E. or Enrich
Added Hydration (choose 1): Immerse, Hyperbaric Mask, The Bare Minimum Facial Oil (coming soon)
Eyecare: Illuminate
Exfoliant: Polish Gentle Enzyme Exfoliant
FAQs
What is TEWL?
Transepidermal Water Loss: the water that evaporates from your skin. Low humidity, hot water, and over-cleansing raise TEWL; humidifiers, lukewarm water, and proper layering lower it.
Do I have to stop retinoids in winter?
No, just slow the cadence and buffer with moisturizer. If skin is reactive, pause until your skin calms.
Why skip morning cleansing?
Your night routine already did the heavy lifting. Over-washing in low humidity strips lipids and worsens dehydration. A lukewarm rinse is enough.
Do I need oil?
Oil seals, it doesn’t replace moisturizer. If you’re still tight 15 minutes after moisturizing, keep your cream and add 2–3 drops of oil on top.