How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated All Winter Long
We moved to the desert last year and wow, did I not expect the rollercoaster I would go through with my skin. Cold weather can be brutal on the skin. Dry air, indoor heating, and harsh winds all work against our skin’s natural moisture barrier. If your skin feels tight, flaky, or just dull, the right ingredients and routine can make all the difference.
Key Hydrating Ingredients
Not all "moisturizing" products are created equal! Many conventional products contain ingredients that can actually dry out the skin over time. Here’s what to look for in clean, hydrating skincare:
✔ Hyaluronic Acid – A hydration powerhouse that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, keeping skin plump and moisturized.
✔ Squalane – A lightweight oil that mimics your skin’s natural moisture, providing hydration without feeling greasy.
✔ Shea Butter & Plant Oils – These seal in moisture and help repair dry, damaged skin.
💡 Avoid petroleum-based ingredients, synthetic fragrances, and drying alcohols, which can strip your skin instead of hydrating it.
My Winter Hydration Routine
Hydration isn’t just about slapping on a moisturizer, it’s about layering the right products in the right order. Here’s what works best for me:
1. Hydrate with a Hyaluronic Acid Serum Morning and Night - Hyaluronic acid alone isn’t enough,you need follow with a moisturizer to lock it in.
2. Moisturize & Lock It In with Face Oil - A rich moisturizer keeps skin soft, while a face oil seals everything in for long-lasting hydration.
3. Don’t Forget the Eyes & Lips - The delicate under eye area needs hydration to stay smooth, and an overnight lip treatment prevents chapped lips.
4. Weekly Treatments for Extra Hydration - I like to use a hydrating mask once a week, sometimes paired with a light exfoliation to help my skin absorb moisture better.
5. Full-Body Hydration - Dry brushing before my shower helps exfoliate, and I follow with a lotion and body oil to keep my skin soft all over. At night, I use a thick balm on hands and feet for extra nourishment.
My Favorite Winter Hydration Products
Now for the fun part, my go-to clean beauty favorites for keeping skin soft, hydrated, and happy all winter!
Face & Neck
⭐ Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Patyka Advanced Plumping Serum is my holy grail! It’s ultra-hydrating, absorbs beautifully, and helps smooth fine lines. It’s on the pricier side, but these other more budget friendly options are great alternatives.
💰 Budget: Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid
🌱 Mid-Range: Passport to Organics Hyaluronic Acid Serum
⭐ Moisturizer
Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Crème feels like a dream on my skin. Instantly moisturizing and long lasting without feeling heavy.
💰 Budget: Babo Botanicals Miracle Moisturizing Cream
💎 Luxury: Ayuna Cream
⭐ Face Oil
Minimalist 100% Squalane Oil is lightweight, deeply moisturizing, and budget-friendly! I was hesitant to switch from my longtime favorite, but this one blew me away.
🌱Mid-Range: Indie Lee Squalane Face Oil
💎 Luxury: Agent Nateur Holi Oil
⭐ Eye Cream
Kora Organics Noni Eye Oil has an easy roll-on applicator. I thought I’d need an extra cream with it, but this has been hydrating enough on its own!
💰 Budget: Upcircle Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid & Coffee
💎 Luxury: Tata Harper Restorative Eye Crème
⭐ Lips
Ilia Overnight Lip Wrap helps me wake up with smooth, soft lips. During the day, I keep Primally Pure’s Lip Balm in Creamsicle on hand cause it’s ultra-hydrating and smells amazing.
💰 Budget: Three Ships Hydrating Lip Mask
💎 Luxury: Kypris Elixir Balm
Body
⭐ Body Lotion
The Seaweed Company Hydrate Body Cream is packed with amazing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, kukui oil, and shea butter. Feels so luxe!
🌱Mid-Range: Cocokind Sake Body Lotion
💎 Luxury: Nécessaire The Body Lotion
⭐ Body Oil
EO Body Oil is affordable, lightweight, and makes my skin feel silky smooth overnight.
🌱Mid-Range: Leahlani Coco Infusion Body Oil
💎 Luxury: Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil
⭐ Deep Hydration Balm
Honest Company’s All-Purpose Balm or Healing Head to Toe Ointment is a lifesaver for dry hands, feet, and rough patches! A great clean swap for Aquaphor or CeraVe.
💎 Luxury: Waxelene Organic Multipurpose Ointment or Primally Pure Everything Balm
Final Thoughts
Winter (or dry climates) can be harsh on the skin, but the right ingredients and routine can make all the difference. If your skin is feeling extra dry, check your products, sometimes small swaps can make a huge impact!
Thanks for joining me on this clean adventure! Stay beautiful, stay green.
XoXo,
The Green Hue