Winter skincare routine: what to change for tight, flaky skin
November to February, Dhaka's dry air weakens the skin barrier. Three changes to cleanser, cream and acids, what ceramides do, and why sunscreen stays in winter.
Oliareen · 27 October 2026
In winter the skin feels tight, cheeks flake, sometimes itch: the air holds less moisture, more water evaporates from the skin, and hot showers strip the little oil that was there. The routine does not need rebuilding; three changes.
Change 1: a softer cleanser
Foaming cleansers dry more in winter. Water only or a milk/gel cleanser in the morning; an oil cleanser or balm at night, then a light foam. Lukewarm water, not hot.
Change 2: a richer cream, look for ceramides
Ceramides are the "bricks" of the skin barrier, and winter is when they run low. On the label: ceramide NP/AP/EOP, cholesterol, fatty acids, panthenol, beta-glucan. Move from gel cream to cream; even oily skin takes a little richer in winter.
- Haruharu Wonder Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream 50ml, Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Intensive Cream 50ml, IUNIK Beta Glucan 3X Barrier Cream 50ml
Change 3: fewer acid and retinol nights
The barrier is weaker, so AHA/BHA/retinol at the same frequency stings. Drop to one or two nights a week; sandwich with a hydrating essence.
What not to change
- Sunscreen. Winter sun feels mild, UVA is the same; melasma grows in winter too. — Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice+B5 50ml
- Moisturiser on damp skin. Within three minutes of the shower: the single biggest winter trick.
Body, lips, hands
Face cream on the body is pointlessly expensive; body lotion right after the shower. A petrolatum or lanolin lip balm at night. Hand cream after every wash: cracked hands are winter's most neglected problem.
Indoors
No fan or heater blowing straight at the face; a bowl of water in the bedroom or a humidifier makes a difference you can feel.
When the air turns humid in March, go back to the lighter cream: routine steps.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology (winter skin): short lukewarm showers; moisturise right after; a humidifier; gentle cleansers.
- Ceramide-containing moisturisers reduce the skin's water loss (TEWL), published clinical studies.
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