Every year around late October, the same thing happens. The air cools, the humidity drops, heaters and geysers come on, and skin that behaved all summer starts to feel tight, rough and itchy. In cities like Lahore, the arrival of winter also brings smog, which adds another layer of dust and pollution to the skin by the end of the day. The routine that suited a humid, sweaty summer rarely suits a cold, dry, smoggy winter.
Short answer: for winter, switch to a gentler, creamier cleanser, add a hydrating serum on damp skin, use a richer moisturiser, cleanse thoroughly at night to remove smog and dust, cut back on scrubs and strong actives, and keep wearing sunscreen. Take shorter, lukewarm showers, moisturise your body right after, and look after lips, hands and heels. If dryness turns into red, itchy, cracked or scaly patches, see a doctor, since that can be eczema.
This guide explains what changes in winter, how to adjust your routine step by step, how to handle smog, and what to do about dry lips, hands, body and feet.
What Winter Does to Your Skin
Your skin has a protective outer layer that keeps water in and irritants out. Winter puts that layer under pressure in several ways.
- Low humidity: cold air holds less moisture, so water leaves your skin faster than it does in summer.
- Heating and hot water: indoor heaters dry the air further, and long hot showers strip natural oils.
- Less sweat and oil: many people produce less oil in cold weather, so skin that was combination in summer can turn dry.
- Wind and temperature swings: moving between cold outdoors and heated rooms irritates sensitive skin.
- Smog and pollution: fine particles settle on skin and can irritate it, especially if skin is already dry or sensitive.
The result is skin that feels tight, looks dull, flakes, and reacts to products that were fine before. Our guide on how to repair your skin barrier explains what happens when this goes too far.
What to Change From Summer
| Step | Summer habit | Winter swap |
|---|---|---|
| Cleanser | Gel or foaming wash | Creamy, gentle, fragrance-free wash |
| Hydration | Light gel moisturiser | Hydrating serum plus a richer moisturiser |
| Exfoliation | Scrub or acid two or three times a week | Once a week at most, or pause if skin stings |
| Actives | Retinoids and strong acids at full strength | Slow down, lower the frequency, buffer with moisturiser |
| Sunscreen | Light, mattifying formula | Same SPF, but a more moisturising texture if skin is dry |
| Showers | Cool or warm, long | Short and lukewarm |
Step 1: Switch to a Gentler Cleanser
A cleanser that felt fresh in summer can leave winter skin tight and squeaky. If your face feels stretched after washing, the cleanser is too harsh. Choose a creamy, low-foam formula, wash with lukewarm water, and keep the massage to around a minute. Our guide to a face wash for dry skin explains what to look for. If you have oily or acne-prone skin and prefer to keep a stronger cleanser, use it in the evening only, and use a gentler one in the morning.
Step 2: Cleanse Properly at Night, Especially in Smog Season
Research links air pollution with skin irritation, flare-ups of conditions such as eczema and acne, and premature ageing. The evidence is stronger for a link than for any specific product that undoes it, so keep expectations realistic. A simple, practical step is to wash your face thoroughly every evening, so dust, particles and sunscreen do not stay on your skin overnight.
- Wash your face before bed: never sleep in sunscreen, makeup or smog.
- Use a gentle cleanser: thorough does not mean harsh.
- Wash your hands before touching your face: this cuts transfer of dirt and irritants.
- Change your pillowcase often: dust and oil collect on fabric.
A smog-day checklist
- Morning: cleanse gently, apply moisturiser and sunscreen, and keep a small moisturiser or lip balm with you.
- During the day: avoid rubbing your face or eyes, and rinse your face with plain water if it feels gritty.
- When you get home: wash your hands and face before you do anything else.
- Before bed: do a full evening cleanse and moisturise.
If you also deal with breakouts, our post on face wash for oily skin and the charcoal face wash guide explain how to keep oil and congestion in check without drying skin out.
Step 3: Add a Hydrating Serum
A humectant serum helps skin hold water. Apply it to slightly damp skin right after cleansing, and always follow it with a moisturiser to seal it in. Without a moisturiser on top, humectants can pull water from deeper layers in very dry air, so do not skip the next step. The Nova-H Hyaluronic Serum is the hydrating serum in the Nøréva range, and our guide to hyaluronic acid benefits for skin explains how to layer it.
Step 4: Use a Richer Moisturiser
Winter skin often needs a thicker texture than summer skin. Look for ceramides, glycerin and similar ingredients, and use more at night than in the morning. If you have very dry patches, a thin layer of a plain, fragrance-free ointment over your moisturiser helps lock moisture in. Apply moisturiser within a few minutes of washing, while skin is still slightly damp.
Step 5: Keep Wearing Sunscreen
UVB rays are weaker in winter, but UVA rays stay fairly constant through the year, and they cause ageing and dark spots. Sunscreen is still part of the morning routine, and winter is a good time to choose a more moisturising formula if your skin is dry. Our guides to SPF 30 vs SPF 50 vs SPF 60 and how to apply sunscreen on your face show how much to use. The Nøréva Sun Block SPF 60 is a broad-spectrum option, and its page describes a lightweight, non-greasy formula, so try it with your moisturiser underneath if your skin is very dry.
A Simple Winter Routine
| Step | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gentle creamy cleanser, or water only if skin is very dry | Gentle cleanser, thorough, to remove sunscreen and smog |
| 2 | Hydrating serum on damp skin | Hydrating serum on damp skin |
| 3 | Rich moisturiser | Rich moisturiser, plus ointment on dry patches |
| 4 | Broad-spectrum sunscreen | Not needed |
| Extra | Lip balm and hand cream | Treatment such as retinol, a few nights a week, if your skin tolerates it |
Adjusting Your Active Ingredients
- Vitamin C: it is an antioxidant and can stay in your morning routine if your skin stays comfortable. Our guide on how to use vitamin C serum explains the basics.
- Retinol: dryness is the most common side effect, and it tends to feel worse in winter. Use it less often, on alternate nights, and put moisturiser on first. See using retinol serum without irritation.
- Exfoliating acids and scrubs: reduce them. Our post on skin polish and how often to use it covers the right frequency, and in winter once a week is plenty.
- Acne treatments: choose gentler options and expect more dryness. See mandelic acid for acne.
Is It Dry Skin or Eczema?
Ordinary winter dryness feels tight and looks flaky, and it improves with moisturiser. Eczema is a medical condition that goes further. It causes red, intensely itchy, scaly or cracked patches, often in the folds of the elbows and knees, on the hands, or on the face, and it can flare in cold, dry weather. If moisturiser does not calm the itch within a couple of weeks, if patches ooze or crack, or if sleep is disturbed by itching, see a doctor or dermatologist rather than adding more products.
Beyond the Face: Body, Lips, Hands and Feet
Body
Keep showers short and lukewarm, use a gentle body wash, pat dry, and apply a body moisturiser within about three minutes. Pay attention to shins, forearms and elbows, which dry out first.
Lips
Use a plain lip balm through the day and before bed. Avoid licking your lips, which dries them further, and avoid peeling flaky skin.
Hands
Hand skin has fewer oil glands and suffers most in cold weather. Use a hand cream after every wash, wear gloves outdoors, and avoid very hot water for washing up.
Feet and heels
Moisturise your feet every night and wear clean socks. If heels crack or bleed, see a doctor or podiatrist, particularly if you have diabetes. Our guide to diabetic foot care explains the extra precautions that apply.
Habits That Help All Winter
- Use a humidifier if you can: a bowl of water near a heater adds a little moisture, but a humidifier is more reliable.
- Keep heaters moderate: very hot, dry rooms pull moisture from skin.
- Drink water, but do not expect it to fix dry skin: topical care and gentler habits matter more.
- Choose soft fabrics next to skin: wool can irritate, so wear cotton underneath.
- Do not scratch: scratching damages the barrier and invites infection.
Common Mistakes
- Using the same products as summer: skin needs change with the season.
- Taking long, hot showers: they feel good but dry skin out.
- Skipping sunscreen because the sun is weaker: UVA is still there.
- Exfoliating more to remove flakes: flakes need moisture, not more scrubbing.
- Layering too many actives: dry skin tolerates less, so introduce changes slowly.
- Not washing off smog: a thorough evening cleanse matters during smog season.
When to See a Doctor
- Red, itchy or scaly patches: these can be eczema or dermatitis, which need treatment.
- Cracked or bleeding skin: especially on hands and feet.
- Dryness that does not improve: after a few weeks of gentle care.
- Breathing or eye irritation from smog: speak to a doctor, since this goes beyond skincare.
FAQs
Do I need a different skincare routine in winter?
Most people benefit from small changes: a gentler cleanser, a richer moisturiser, less exfoliation and the same daily sunscreen.
How do I protect my skin from smog?
Wash your face thoroughly every evening, moisturise to support the skin barrier, and avoid touching your face. A vitamin C serum in the morning is a reasonable extra, though the evidence for any product undoing pollution is limited.
Should I still use sunscreen in winter?
Yes. UVA rays remain through winter, and sunscreen helps prevent dark spots and ageing.
Why is my skin so dry only in winter?
Low humidity, heaters, hot water and reduced oil production all dry skin out in cold weather.
Can I use retinol in winter?
Yes, but use it less often and keep moisturiser handy, since dryness is common in cold weather.
Is hot water bad for skin?
Very hot water strips natural oils. Lukewarm water is gentler, especially for dry skin.
What should I do for chapped lips?
Use a plain balm regularly, avoid licking or picking, and drink enough fluids. See a doctor if lips stay cracked or sore.
Can winter dryness cause breakouts?
It can. Dry, irritated skin may break out more, and harsh acne products make dryness worse. Use a gentle cleanser, moisturise even if you are oily, and ease off strong treatments.
Where to Start This Week
Do not change everything at once. This week, switch to a gentler cleanser and moisturise right after washing. Next week, add a hydrating serum. After that, adjust your actives and body care. For more ideas, see our skincare routines guide or browse the Nøréva shop.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology Association: dermatologists’ tips for managing dry skin and winter skin care (aad.org).
- Krutmann J, et al. Pollution and skin: from epidemiological and mechanistic studies to clinical implications. Journal of Dermatological Science. 2014;76(3):163-168.
- American Academy of Dermatology Association: sunscreen guidance (aad.org).
