How to Update your Winter Skincare Routine (Tips To Do At Home)

This post is sponsored by Neutrogena® Hydro Boost. They make your winter skincare routine easy and affordable!

Colder weather means cozy sweaters and pumpkin lattes. But it also means that your current skincare is probably not the most effective.

These easy updates to your winter skincare routine will keep your skin looking healthy and feeling soft, no matter how frigid it gets outside!

Woman putting on lip gloss. — Use these winter skin care tips to care for your skin all season.

This post was originally published on November 1, 2019 and has now been updated with more tips for your at home winter skin care.

I’m a total summer girl. I love warm weather and I much prefer a tropical vacation over somewhere you need a jacket.

I also love the ease of fresh summer skincare where I tend to look for double-duty products to hydrate and protect plus rely on cleanser to ensure all the sunscreen and sweat gets washed away.

In winter, though, I know I need a little bit more help. I have oily skin, but as the temperatures drop, my skin becomes drier as well. With heated air systems and going in and out of the elements, my skin can sometimes freak out. Updating my winter skincare routine is a must!

These tips can be used by anyone, but they’re especially helpful if you have sensitive or dry skin. Just a few small changes can have big results! Read on for my tips!

And these tips are super easy! If it means adding on extra time to my regular routine, I’m not going to do it. If you’re like that also, you need to check out my quick beauty hacks!

I’ve been using Neturogena® products since I was a little girl. They’ve always had products that help my skin no matter what time of year or how my skin needs change as I age.

The Neutrogena® Hydro Boost products are perfect for my updated winter skincare.

Looking for more? Check out my favorite anti-aging skin care line and my Elemis review.

How to Update Your Winter Skincare Routine

Woman drying her face with a towel after exfoliating for smoother skin.

1. Exfoliate

Bring your skin back to life! Winter skin can look dull and lifeless. Using an exfoliator, like Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Exfoliating Facial Cleanser, a few times a week can help slough off the dead cells and let skin look a little more glowy.

I keep one bottle in the shower and one by my sink to make sure I never forget. I love that Neutrogena® products are affordable and effective plus they’re Dermatologist-recommended.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost products on a small tray.

2. Short Showers

Too much contact with water can actually dry out your skin. Make sure that your shower time (and baths too) are short and sweet. Being in the water for a long period of time can actually dry out your skin’s natural moisturizing properties.

This, coupled with dry weather, can make your skin extra sensitive. I love that the Exfoliating Cleanser, I mentioned above, removes dirt, oil, and dry surface skin but does it gently with naturally derived skin smoothers.

3. Hydrate

For real, if you could only make one of these changes to your winter skincare routine, hydrating your skin should be it! Hydration is the key for the best-looking skin.

Hydrated skin can also help improve the appearance of fine lines and keep your oily skin from producing more oil when your skin is feeling dry. (Microneedling is also great if you have deeper lines and more severe wrinkles).

A good moisturizer or mask can help parched skin and should be a regular part of your winter beauty routine.

Neutrogena® has several products that are infused with skin-quenching hyaluronic acid which works to help skin feel hydrated.

It doesn’t hurt to hydrate from the inside out. Try one of these infused waters to help encourage you to drink more water.

Woman holding a Neutrogena Hydro Boost product in her hand in the bathroom.

4. Layer Products

Just like with your clothes, it’s important to layer your products during winter to create several barriers of skin protection. The Hydro Boost products work together to help you achieve maximum hydration for your skin.

Because most of them have hyaluronic acid, it helps to provide moisture at every layer. Don’t forget the skin on your neck, chest and hands! They need the same love that you are showing to your face!

5. Time to Adjust

I learned from an aesthetician friend that any time you change up your skincare routine, you need to give it a few weeks for your skin to get used to it.

Sometimes I break out when I use a new product but after a few days, I can tell that my skin adjusts. Adding new layers at products might initially make your skin break out, but give it a few weeks to see if everything balances out.

6. Spot Treat

I still get hormonal breakouts but in winter I make sure that I am treating only the area that needs attention.

Instead of using an acne-focused product on my entire face (which I am trying really hard to keep hydrated!) I just make sure I spot treat where I need it.

Especially with combination skin, this ensures that I am not throwing off the balance I’ve created in other areas. This is one of my favorite winter skin care tips!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF being put on a woman's fingers.

7. Maintain Overall Health

Wearing a daily sunscreen is a must, even during fall and winter. I love the Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Water Gel with SPF 15. I LOVE how this daily moisturizer with SPF feels when I’m putting it on my skin.

It doesn’t feel heavy or leave a thick layer on my face making it perfect for layering. It’s super hydrating but also provides protection from the sun.

Neutrogena® products are non-pore clogging which makes me feel comfortable trying out new products as I add them to my routine.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine in Ballet Pink.

8. Adjust Your Makeup

With your skin looking and feeling great, look for makeup products that won’t undo all the good you’ve done.

Neutrogena® makes makeup products that are great for this. The Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine (this color is Ballet Pink) gives my lips great color and feels a lot like a lip balm.

It’s not sticky at all and is the perfect way to finish off my makeup. Be sure to check out the other products they have that are hydrating and great for winter.

Anti aging skin care products from Neutrogena on a bathroom counter with a woman looking in the mirror.

My winter skincare with the Hydro Boost collection, leaves my skin looking its best. I feel confident and ready for anything and my skin feels soothed and calm.

Changing up your winter skincare routine isn’t as hard as you may think! These simple adjustments will help you figure out what products your skin needs so you can take on the world with happy, healthy skin!

Check out even more of the beauty faves that I buy on Amazon.

An image of a blanket and candle with text over that talks about beauty secrets.

Party Beauty Checklist – While this checklist is geared towards holiday parties, it’s a great one for any big event you have to get ready for throughout the year.
DIY Coffee Scrub – This homemade cellulite scrub is one I use before I need to be in a bathing suit. It’s a temporary fix that helps to smooth out the skin and it’s so easy to make with things you already have at home.
My Restylane Experience – I tried out Restylane under eye filler and it totally helped my face look refreshed and my dark circles appear lighter! If you want to learn more about this treatment. Read my post!