The best skincare routine for each skin type during winter, according to a beauty expert – and the order that actually makes a difference
As winter sets in, many people find their skincare routine simply stops working. Dryness, irritation and breakouts become more common, even for skin that felt balanced earlier in the year.
A skincare expert at Fresha, the go-to booking app for beauty and wellness, says the problem isn’t usually the products themselves – it’s the order, texture and balance people use them in during colder months.
In winter, the skin barrier is under constant pressure. Cold air outside, heated air inside and sudden temperature changes all strip moisture from the skin. As a result, routines need to prioritise protection and repair, rather than just treating surface concerns.
“Think thin to thick,” the expert says. “Lighter products go first so they can actually absorb, and richer ones come last to protect everything underneath. You don’t need a 10-step routine. You need the right steps, in the right order, for your skin.”
Skin type also matters far more in winter than it does the rest of the year. “Products that work well for oily skin in summer can leave it dehydrated once temperatures drop, while richer formulas that suit dry skin can quickly overwhelm sensitive or acne-prone skin if they’re layered the wrong way.”
Here’s how the expert recommends adjusting your skincare routine this winter, depending on your skin type – and the order to follow for best results.
For dry skin: layer for comfort, not heaviness
If your skin feels tight, rough or flaky by lunchtime, winter is probably pulling moisture out faster than your routine can keep up. Dry skin tends to struggle more once temperatures drop, because its barrier is already weaker and it doesn’t recover as quickly once moisture is lost.
“With this skin type, the best thing to remember is adding moisture before you start sealing it in,” the beauty expert says. “If you skip that first step, everything else struggles to do its job.”
Cleansing should be gentle and non-foaming, as harsh cleansers only make dryness worse. Adding a hydrating layer, such as a toner or essence, will help you replace lost moisture. You can then apply a serum that supports the skin barrier, followed by a richer moisturiser to seal everything in. During the day, a broad-spectrum sunscreen should come last to protect the skin.
“A lot of people jump straight to heavy creams,” the expert adds. “But if there’s no water in the skin to begin with, those products just sit on the surface.” Applying products to slightly damp skin can also help them absorb more easily, making each step feel more effective through the day.
For oily or acne-prone skin: hydrate without clogging
Many people with oily skin assume winter gives them a reason to drop moisturiser altogether, but that’s often when skin starts to misbehave – when oily skin becomes dehydrated, it actually tends to produce more oil to compensate.
The focus should still be on gentle cleansing, then a light hydrating layer like a toner or essence, before moving on to targeted treatments.
Serums that help balance oil or keep pores clear work best when followed by a lightweight moisturiser, with sunscreen still finishing the routine during the day.
“In winter, oily skin still needs moisture,” the expert adds. “It just needs it delivered in lighter layers.”
For combination skin: treat different areas differently
Combination skin doesn’t always know what it wants in winter, with dryness creeping in alongside the usual oiliness – so you can’t treat the whole face in the same way.
Starting with a gentle cleanser helps keep skin balanced, without stripping drier areas like the cheeks. Adding hydration next keeps skin comfortable, before treatments are used more selectively on oilier or drier areas as needed.
A medium-weight moisturiser tends to suit most areas, with richer creams used only where skin needs a bit more help. Sunscreen should still be used in the morning.
For sensitive skin: simplify and protect
Cold weather often triggers redness, stinging and flare-ups, particularly for sensitive skin. That’s why, for this skin type, a simpler routine usually works best.
“If you keep cleansing gentle, you’re less likely to trigger irritation in winter,” the beauty expert reveals. Always choose calming products to help support your skin barrier, as well as a barrier-focused moisturiser that will offer some protection from cold air and indoor heating. Mineral sunscreens also tend to be better tolerated if your skin is sensitive.
“If your skin feels calm and comfortable, that’s usually a sign your routine is doing its job,” they add.
For mature skin: support repair overnight
As skin ages, it naturally becomes slower to recover – and winter tends to make that more noticeable. Skin can feel drier, less comfortable and slower to bounce back, particularly overnight.
“Mature skin often benefits from extra support in the evening during colder months,” explains the Fresha spokesperson. Keeping cleansing gentle helps maintain comfort, followed by hydration to prepare the skin for treatments.
Serums containing ingredients like retinol or peptides can be useful at night if the skin already tolerates them well, before a nourishing moisturiser helps lock everything in. Adding a facial oil in the evening can also help reduce moisture loss while you sleep.
In the morning, sunscreen should still be part of the routine. “Protecting the skin during the day is just as important as supporting repair at night,” the expert adds.