Your 6-step survival guide to a winter-ready skincare routine

After months of basking in warmer weather and enjoying the simplicity of a minimalist skincare routine, autumn has arrived—and winter isn’t far behind. The chillier months bring concerns of dry, chapped skin, so how can we best prepare for the biting cold? By giving your skincare the same consideration as your wardrobe and leaning heavily on hardworking layers.

Related: Here’s how to transition your sunscreen from winter to spring

“Begin introducing protective products into your routine as soon as the seasons shift to prepare for any sudden cold snaps,” advises Laura Bonné, founder of Copenhagen’s Amazing Space spa and skincare line. “Generally, skin needs extra hydration—a rich, creamy face balm acts like a winter coat, shielding it from frost and helping to prevent burst capillaries as you move between warm indoor air and icy outdoor temperatures.”

In winter, we naturally gravitate toward thicker, richer products, but layering them in the wrong order can lead to some unwanted effects. To get the most from each product, it’s essential to follow a specific layering sequence and give each layer time to absorb fully.

Below, the ultimate step-by-step winter skincare routine to keep your glow game strong and help your skin transition seamlessly with the seasons:

Related: How to layer your hair products the right way

As winter approaches, switching up your cleanser can make all the difference. While foaming cleansers with ingredients like salicylic acid are perfect for clearing pores and controlling oil in summer, they’re often packed with sulfates—like sodium lauryl sulfate—that can strip skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness during the colder months. Instead, try an oil or cream cleanser for a gentler, hydrating clean. 'Switching to a gentle yet rich cleanser is a great way to keep skin hydrated and maintain a healthy barrier throughout the winter months,' says Christinah Nicolaisen, co-founder of Swedish beauty brand Eleni &Chris.

Another winter-friendly tip: skip cleanser in the morning. A simple rinse with water can preserve the natural oils your skin produces overnight. Use your oil or cream cleanser in the evening instead, allowing it to remove makeup and impurities from the day without over-cleansing.

In winter, toner is key for keeping skin balanced and resilient. After cleansing, it helps restore your skin’s natural pH, which can be disrupted by cold weather, reducing irritation and reinforcing your skin’s barrier. Modern toners with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid also provide an extra layer of moisture, helping skin stay soft and prepared to absorb the benefits of your follow-up products despite the harsh elements.

Like toner, serums add another powerful layer of defence to your skincare routine, but with a more personalised touch. This is where you tailor your routine to your skin’s unique needs — whether it’s hydration, glow, or repair. Identify what your skin is craving and choose a serum that delivers those benefits. And in the harsher months, an extra layer of targeted protection is just what your skin needs to stay resilient.

Eye cream is a year-round essential, but as winter approaches, it’s time to reach for something richer. While we can shield the rest of our face with protective balaclavas and scarves, our eyes — and the delicate skin around them — are left to brave the cold. This sensitive area deserves an extra layer of care, and a thicker, more nourishing eye cream is your best ally, locking in moisture and offering essential protection against the elements.

In the summer, our skin holds onto moisture more easily thanks to the increased humidity in the air, making a light lotion sufficient for any dry patches. But as winter sets in, a more intensive, three-pronged approach is essential. To prevent chapping, the skin needs at least ten per cent water content for natural exfoliation to occur — a level often harder to maintain in colder months.

To boost hydration, incorporate humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which draw moisture from the air into the deeper layers of your skin. Your moisturiser should also have a higher oil-to-water ratio, with nourishing oils like sweet almond, cloudberry, and jojoba to replenish lipids. Finally, emollients such as shea butter, rich in fats similar to those in the skin barrier, lock in moisture, forming a protective layer that shields against winter’s drying effects.

Even in winter, harmful UV rays are still strong enough to permeate clouds and speed up skin aging — so SPF is a year-round must. If you haven’t embraced this by now, where have you been? Stick to your daily sunscreen routine, and consider opting for a richer formula to keep your skin hydrated while adding an extra layer of protection against winter’s harsh elements.

When washing, skip long showers — dermatologists caution that prolonged exposure to hot water can strip the skin of its natural moisture. Instead, keep showers brief to help retain hydration.

After showering, you only have a three-minute window to apply body lotion for maximum effect. Any longer, and moisture begins to evaporate from the skin before you can lock it in. 'In general, moisturizer is most effective when applied to damp skin as it absorbs more readily,' explains Christinah Nicolaisen. With the low humidity in winter, it’s also wise to apply your lotion with the bathroom door closed, trapping in that precious steam to boost hydration even further.

Exfoliators may be optional, but they’re especially beneficial in winter. Cold, dry air and indoor heating can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells, leaving skin looking dull and rough. Exfoliating helps clear away this buildup, allowing your moisturisers to absorb more effectively and promoting a smoother, fresher complexion. If you’re considering adding this step to your routine or have questions about choosing the right one, explore Vogue Scandinavia's Vogue Scandinavia's guide to exfoliators, specifically for winter.