CARING FOR DRY, SENSITIVE SKIN IN WINTER

Woman holding a can of moisturising spray against a teal background

Publish Date: January 14, 2026

As the seasons change and the temperature drops, your skin often lets you know before you’ve zipped up your big winter coat. Cold air, biting winds, central heating and long hot showers can strip away the natural lipids and moisture your skin relies on - leaving it feeling tight, flaky, and uncomfortable. And for dry, sensitive skin, winter can be particularly challenging.

Understanding how the colder months affect your skin, and how to adapt your skincare ritual, is essential to keeping it soft, hydrated, and resilient throughout winter.

How does winter affect your skin?

In winter, indoor and outdoor environments can have a compounding effect on your skin barrier. The combination of cold, dry air outside and centrally-heated indoor spaces reduces humidity - leaving skin more prone to moisture loss. At the same time, common winter habits like taking longer, hotter showers and using certain skincare products can also have an adverse effect on skin.

Your face is especially vulnerable, as it’s exposed to the elements far more than the rest of the body. Without the right care, your skin barrier can become compromised, leading to increased water loss and a lack of essential ceramides - the building blocks that help retain moisture.

Woman applying a noursihing cream as part of her winter skincare routine

Strengthening your skin during the colder months

Strengthening your skin barrier during autumn and winter doesn’t need to be complicated - with some small, mindful adjustments to your skincare ritual, you can protect and care for your skin to keep it smooth, comfortable, and healthier-looking.

Switch to a hydrating, non-stripping cleanser

Use a cleanser that removes impurities without stripping away essential hydration and disrupting your skin’s natural moisture barrier. All Curél cleansers are formulated to protect your skin’s ceramides, but Curél Hydrating Makeup Cleanser goes a step further - formulated with Biomimetic Ceramide Technology, it not only preserves but also replenishes ceramides while cleansing, helping to soothe skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

Top tip: In the evenings, use this silky cleanser as the first step of a double cleanse to gently yet thoroughly remove makeup.

Apply moisturiser straight after cleansing or showering

This helps lock in moisture when your skin is still damp. If you’re using water while cleansing your face or body, a lukewarm temperature is better than hot - it’s gentler on the skin and helps prevent additional moisture loss. If you live in an area with hard water, you may find that using a water softener or shower filter helps to limit mineral deposits that can make skin feel dry or tight.

Double moisturise to lock in hydration

Originally rooted in Japanese skincare rituals, Curél’s Double Moisturising approach is especially effective in winter. Starting with a hydrating essence to prime your skin, followed by a richer moisturiser to lock in moisture and deeply nourish the skin.

Layering ceramide-infused moisturisers of different consistencies supports the skin’s natural barrier function and helps maintain an optimal balance of moisture in the skin.

If your skin tends to become drier in the colder months, consider switching from our Moisture Facial Milk to our richer Intensive Moisture Facial Cream for deeper nourishment and hydration..

Curel rich facial moisturiser against a teal and water background

Can oily skin become dry in winter?

SIf your skin type is oily or combination in summer, you might assume winter won’t affect it. While your skin may not turn dry, it can still become dehydrated, especially due to environmental changes. If your skin feels tight or flaky, you can continue using our Skin Balancing Care range and simply add in a little extra hydration from our Intensive Moisture Care range to keep your skin comfortable during the winter months.

Should I wear SPF in winter?

It’s a common misconception that sunscreen is only necessary in summer, but UV rays can still penetrate clouds and contribute to skin ageing all year round.

Wearing SPF daily helps protect your skin barrier and prevent long-term damage, which is why it’s important to make sun protection part of your winter skincare routine.

Keeping your skin hydrated in winter

Your skin may need more frequent hydration in winter – especially if you spend time in heated environments or outdoors.

Curél Deep Moisture Spray is a winter must-have for your gym bag, handbag and desk drawer. This ultra-fine mist is uniquely formulated with a concentration of moisturising ingredients and ceramides in a spray form to deliver instant hydration to both face and body. It’s ideal for:

Post-shower hydration
Midday moisture top-ups (yes, even over make up)
Gentle, targeted care for dry patches

Formulated with Ceramides, Eucalyptus Extract, and Glycerin, it helps replenish moisture and restore softness, wherever and whenever your skin needs it.

Curel Deep Moisture Spray against a blue background

Additional winter skincare tips

Use a humidifier at home to counteract the drying effects of central heating.
Avoid over-exfoliating – opt for gentle formulas and resist the urge to exfoliate dry patches with abrasive formulas.
Stay hydrated – drinking water still plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin from within.
Curél products are fragrance-free, and suitable to use on eczema-prone skin – so you can feel confident using them, even when your skin is feeling more reactive in winter.

Your winter skincare survival kit

Winter skin doesn’t need to feel tight, dry or uncomfortable. With a few thoughtful adjustments and the power of Curél’s Ceramide Care System, your skin can stay soft, resilient, and hydrated – whatever the weather.

These Curél products are winter essentials to help care for dry, sensitive skin:

Our Hydrating Makeup Cleanser gently and effectively cleanses while replenishing ceramides.
Choose a richer moisturiser for compromised skin during the colder months – our Intensive Moisture Facial Cream is an intensely nourishing, yet lightweight moisturiser that absorbs instantly into your skin.
For a no-fuss on-the-go hydration solution, our Deep Moisture Spray is ideal for face and body.
Double moisturise for optimal moisture retention – layer just-cleansed skin with essences and moisturisers to support your skin barrier.