It’s wintertime, and as someone who grew up in the tundra, I know firsthand how harsh this season can be on your skin. The cold air outside, combined with indoor heating, can leave normal-to-dry skin screaming for moisture. I recently moved to Jacksonville, Florida, which is a subtropical climate, but I’ve been back and forth to Minnesota during the winter—and let me tell you, that dry winter air is no joke.

Because I’ve been doing skincare since I was 24 years old, I’ve had years of trial and error to figure out what works best for my skin. Now at 35, I’m proud to say I have pretty great skin overall. I might get the occasional pimple right before my period, and my pores (especially on my cheeks near my nose) are larger than I’d like, but they’ve improved a lot thanks to my current routine. I don’t have fine lines or wrinkles, and I credit that to staying consistent with skincare and avoiding things like dairy, which gives me acne. My skin tone is even, and for the most part, it stays clear as long as I keep up with my routine. If you have normal-to-dry skin like me, this guide will help you keep your skin hydrated, healthy, and glowing through the cold months. These are the steps, products, and tips that have worked for me year after year.

Why Winter is Tough on Your Skin

Winter air is just plain dry—it can’t hold as much moisture as warm air does, which means your skin loses hydration more quickly. On top of that, moving between freezing temps outside and heated indoor air makes things worse. Dry patches, flaky skin, and chapped lips are all common during the winter months. If you’re experiencing these issues, you’re not alone. Science backs this up: cold air and low humidity can lead to increased water loss from your skin, leaving it dehydrated and more prone to irritation.

My Morning Winter Skincare Routine

1. Start Gentle When it comes to cleansing, gentle is the name of the game. Some people are still out here using harsh scrubs like apricot or walnut scrubs (seriously, stop—those cause micro-tears in your skin!). Stick with a basic, no-frills cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. I personally love Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, and even Walmart has a great version of it that’s paraben-free. I rinse my face with lukewarm water—never hot water, because that can dry out your skin even more.

2. Tone It Up Next, I use a toner. My favorite is witch hazel because it’s simple, effective, and doesn’t irritate my skin. Don’t forget to apply toner to your neck, too—your neck deserves love just like your face.

3. Moisturize Like a Pro My go-to moisturizer for the morning is Cetaphil Healthy Radiance SPF Moisturizer. It’s lightweight but deeply hydrating, with SPF to protect against UV rays (yes, you still need SPF in the winter). I love that it doesn’t feel greasy, even if I apply a little extra on drier days. SPF is important year-round—even if it’s overcast or snowy, UV rays can still reach your skin and cause damage, so don’t skip it!

4. Hydrate From Within Skincare isn’t just about products—it’s about what you put into your body, too. I make it a point to drink a ton of water and herbal teas during the winter. Staying hydrated from the inside out helps keep my skin looking fresh and glowy.

5. Don’t Forget Your Lips My lips always need extra moisture in the winter, so I make sure to keep a hydrating lip balm or gloss on hand. Look for something with shea butter, jojoba oil, or lanolin for deep hydration.

My Evening Winter Skincare Routine

At night, I like to go a little heavier on the moisturization to help my skin recover from the day. Here’s what I do:

1. Cleanse Again I start by cleansing my skin, either with my gentle daily cleanser or the Fully Green Tomato Clay Mask (I use this once or twice a week). The clay mask is amazing for deep-cleaning my pores, especially during the winter when my skin tends to get congested.

2. Tone and Serum After cleansing, I apply toner and follow it up with a hydrating serum. Right now, I’m using the Fully Green Tomato Serum, which is focused on improving hydration and refining pores.

3. Red Light Therapy (Optional) A few nights a week, I incorporate red light therapy into my routine. I do it right after applying serum because it helps the product penetrate deeper into my skin while also boosting collagen production.

4. Heavy Nighttime Moisturizer Finally, I finish with a richer moisturizer. The Fully Green Tomato Night Moisturizer is perfect for winter—it’s thicker than my daytime moisturizer and gives my skin the intense hydration it needs after being exposed to dry air all day.

Cold winter air and indoor heating can leave your skin thirsty for moisture, but keeping the air in your home hydrated can make a big difference. I recommend running a humidifier, especially overnight. If you don’t have one yet, add it to your Amazon cart—it’s one of those small things that makes a big impact.

By following these simple but effective steps, you can keep your skin glowing all winter long. Remember to stay hydrated, eat your fruits and veggies, and keep the air quality in check—your skin will thank you.

xo Jessica