Winter Skin Survival Guide: Preventing Dryness & Sensitivity
Winter can be magical—but for your skin, it’s often the most challenging season of the year. Cold temperatures, low humidity, indoor heating, and harsh winds can strip the skin barrier, leading to dryness, sensitivity, dullness, and flare-ups.
The good news? With the right winter skincare routine, professional treatments, and high-quality products, your skin can stay healthy, glowing, and resilient all season long.
This is your Winter Skin Survival Guide—expert-approved and designed to protect, repair, and nourish your skin through the colder months.
Why Winter Is Hard on Skin
During winter, the skin loses moisture faster due to:
Cold outdoor air with low humidity
Indoor heating at work, home, and in the car
Hot showers that disrupt the skin barrier
Reduced natural oil production
When the skin barrier is compromised, skin becomes more prone to irritation, redness, dehydration, breakouts, and sensitivity. The winter goal is skin barrier repair, hydration, and gentle stimulation—not aggressive exfoliation or over-stripping.
Common Winter Skincare Mistakes
One of the biggest winter skincare mistakes is continuing overly aggressive exfoliation. While exfoliation has benefits, overdoing it in cold months can worsen dryness and irritation.
Instead:
Switch to gentler cleansers
Use richer, more nourishing moisturizers
Focus on calming and repairing the skin barrier
At Elevate + Co., we love the PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser during winter for its soothing, barrier-supportive properties.
Barrier Repair Essentials
1. Cleanse Gently
Swap foaming or gel cleansers for hydrating formulas that cleanse without stripping.
Winter favorites:
PCA Oil Cleanser – Ideal for sensitive or compromised skin
PCA Creamy Cleanser – Nourishing and calming for dry winter skin
2. Hydrate + Repair
Hydration isn’t just about adding water—it’s about strengthening the skin barrier so moisture stays locked in.
Go-to winter essentials:
SkinBetter Science Trio or AlphaRet Overnight Cream for barrier support and renewal
PLATED™ Intense to calm inflammation and promote advanced skin repair
PCA Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum for deep hydration and moisture retention
Layering products correctly makes a significant difference in dry skin treatment and overall winter skin health.
3. Never Skip Sunscreen
UV damage occurs year-round and can worsen dryness, sensitivity, and premature aging—even in winter.
Winter SPF favorite:
EltaMD UV Clear (tinted) – Lightweight, hydrating, and ideal for sensitive skin
Professional Winter-Friendly Treatments
Professional treatments can help maintain glow and support skin barrier repair when your at-home routine needs an extra boost.
✨ Hydrafacial
A winter must-have. Hydrafacials deeply cleanse, gently exfoliate, extract impurities, and infuse hydrating serums—without irritation. Perfect for dry, dull, or congested winter skin.
✨ Relaxing Facials
These focus on hydration, barrier repair, lymphatic drainage, and calming inflammation. Ideal for sensitive or stressed winter skin.
✨ Chemical Peels
Winter is the ideal season for peels due to reduced sun exposure. Peels can safely address:
Dry, rough texture
Hyperpigmentation
Acne and congestion
Fine lines
Our PCA peel options are customized to your skin type and tolerance. While we encourage healthy cell turnover, our priority is always deep hydration and barrier support during the peeling process.
✨ Sculptra
Winter is also a great time to invest in collagen stimulation. Sculptra gradually restores volume and improves skin quality from within, delivering natural, long-lasting results that continue to improve over time.
Winter Skin Tips From the Treatment Room
Use lukewarm water instead of hot
Add a humidifier to your bedroom
Apply moisturizer to damp skin
Avoid over-exfoliating
Listen to your skin—winter routines should be gentler
Not Sure Where to Start?
Every skin type reacts differently to winter conditions, which is why customization is everything. Whether you’re experiencing dryness, sensitivity, breakouts, or dullness, we’ll create a plan that pairs the right home care with results-driven treatments.
If you’re ready to protect your glow all winter long, book your complimentary consultation with one of our aesthetic providers today.
Your skin deserves to thrive in every season.
