From moisture-barrier essentials to expert advice on seasonal dryness, discover the skincare products and thoughtful routines worth embracing this winter.
As temperatures shift and indoor heating becomes part of daily life, even the most carefully considered skincare routine can benefit from a seasonal refresh. Cold air, lower humidity, and environmental changes can leave skin feeling tight, dry, or more sensitive than usual, making hydration and barrier support especially important.
In recognition of National Healthy Skin Month, we're exploring a more intentional approach to winter skincare, one that prioritizes skin health, ingredient innovation, and products designed to help maintain a comfortable, healthy-looking complexion.
From Korean skincare formulations and science-driven serums to insights from skincare professionals, these expert perspectives and product discoveries offer a thoughtful starting point for navigating the colder months.
Winter Skincare Essentials: Hydration, Comfort & Barrier Support
VOUX Skincare: A Three-Part Approach to Winter Hydration
For those looking to make hydration a more intentional part of their winter skincare routine, VOUX Skincare offers a sophisticated approach through its Trilight Complex® 3-in-1 Korean Ampoule Set.
Founded as a mother-daughter partnership, VOUX brings together Korean skincare innovation and a targeted approach to addressing different complexion concerns. Formulated in Seoul, the fragrance-free collection features three complementary ampoules designed to support hydration, skin comfort, and a healthy-looking moisture barrier.
Each formula offers a distinct benefit:
Purple: Multi-molecular hyaluronic acid helps replenish hydration while promoting a radiant-looking complexion.
Red: Peptides and ceramides work together to support a plumper, firmer appearance while helping maintain the skin's moisture barrier.
Blue: Panthenol and a complex of more than 20 Korean botanical ingredients help calm and clarify the appearance of stressed skin.
Together, the three formulas offer a versatile approach to skincare during a season when cold outdoor air and indoor heating can leave the complexion feeling especially vulnerable to dryness.
What makes VOUX particularly compelling is its focus on addressing hydration from several angles rather than relying on a single formula. The collection can be incorporated into a thoughtful routine centered on maintaining moisture, supporting the skin barrier, and improving the overall appearance of the complexion.
For skincare enthusiasts interested in Korean formulations and ingredient-focused routines, the Trilight Complex® collection presents an elevated addition to the winter beauty cabinet.
Explore the VOUX Trilight Complex® Collection
SKINFOOD: A Refreshing Approach to Calming Stressed Skin
Featured Product: Carrot Carotene Calming Water Pads
Korean beauty brand SKINFOOD has long embraced the relationship between food-inspired ingredients and skincare, creating formulations that draw inspiration from the nourishing qualities of botanical ingredients.
Its Carrot Carotene Calming Water Pads bring that philosophy into a convenient, everyday format designed to deliver hydration and a soothing sensation to stressed skin.
Featuring organic Jeju carrots sourced from South Korea's Jeju Island, the formula incorporates beta-carotene, known for its antioxidant properties, alongside hyaluronic acid to help maintain moisture.
The essence-soaked cotton pads are designed to provide cooling hydration and help improve the appearance of redness, making them particularly appealing when skin feels uncomfortable or dehydrated.
According to clinical testing shared by the brand, the formula demonstrated improvements in measured skin hydration and visible redness after application.
Each jar contains 60 generously saturated cotton pads that can be separated into thinner layers or stretched to accommodate different areas of the face. The flexible design offers a convenient alternative to a traditional sheet mask, whether used during morning skincare preparation or as part of an evening routine.
With more than 15 million units reportedly sold worldwide, the Carrot Carotene Calming Water Pads have become one of SKINFOOD's recognizable K-beauty essentials.
For winter skincare, their appeal lies in the combination of accessible hydration, a refreshing application, and an easy-to-incorporate format.
Delavie Sciences: Where Skincare Meets Scientific Discovery
Featured Product: Aeonia Age Defying Serum | $125
Innovation in skincare increasingly extends beyond familiar ingredients, with emerging research exploring new approaches to skin resilience, hydration, and environmental stress.
Delavie Sciences represents this science-driven direction.
Co-founded by Dr. Kyle Landry and David Sinclair, the brand draws on research involving extremophiles, organisms capable of surviving in challenging environments, to explore new possibilities in skincare formulation.
Dr. Landry, whose background includes doctoral research in food science and postdoctoral research at Harvard, helped develop Bacillus Lysate, a patented ingredient central to the brand's formulations.
The ingredient is featured in the Aeonia Age Defying Serum, a treatment developed to support hydration, skin resilience, and a smoother, healthier-looking complexion.
According to research and clinical findings shared by Delavie Sciences, Bacillus Lysate has demonstrated antioxidant activity and effects on biological pathways associated with skin aging, including Sirt1 signaling and hyaluronic acid production.
The brand also reports favorable results from a consumer clinical study, with participants noting improvements in hydration, skin texture, and the appearance of their complexion.
For those interested in science-led skincare, Aeonia offers an intriguing alternative to conventional moisturizing serums, combining a distinctive ingredient story with an emphasis on skin resilience.
Its place in a winter skincare routine is particularly relevant for individuals looking to complement their daily moisturizer with a serum focused on hydration and the appearance of healthier skin.
Explore Aeonia Age Defying Serum
Colorado Aromatics: Botanical Hydration with a Formulator's Perspective
Featured Product: Elder B Essence
For Dr. Cindy Jones, Ph.D., a biochemist, cosmetic formulator, herbalist, and founder of Colorado Aromatics, maintaining healthy skin during winter begins with understanding the skin barrier and its role in limiting moisture loss.
Her approach combines cosmetic science with botanical ingredients, emphasizing hydration and antioxidant support.
Colorado Aromatics' Elder B Essence reflects that philosophy through a lightweight facial mist formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, B vitamins, and elderberry extract.
The formula also features farm-distilled hydrosols of lavender, lemon balm, and fennel, bringing a botanical dimension to a product designed to help replenish hydration and support the skin barrier.
Unlike richer creams and balms, Elder B Essence offers a lighter hydration step that can be incorporated into a layered routine or used throughout the day.
Dr. Jones emphasizes that winter skincare should address both replenishing moisture and helping prevent excessive water loss. She also points to the value of antioxidants when skin is exposed to cold, wind, and other environmental stressors.
The result is a practical approach that balances hydration with the protective role of a well-maintained skin barrier.
Expert Advice: How to Care for Your Skin During Winter
While products can play an important role in maintaining skin comfort, the experts featured here emphasize that healthy winter skin is also influenced by how products are selected, layered, and incorporated into a daily routine.
From simplifying cleansing habits to rethinking hydration, their perspectives highlight the importance of protecting the skin rather than overwhelming it.
Dr. Natalya Borakowski: Think Beyond Hydration Alone
Arizona-Licensed Naturopathic Physician and Aesthetic Medicine Expert
With more than 18 years of experience in aesthetic medicine and skin health, Dr. Natalya Borakowski encourages a more protective approach to winter skincare.
Her central message is that hydration alone may not be enough when seasonal conditions leave the skin barrier compromised.
"Your hyaluronic acid serum is a glass of water, not a winter coat!"
The comparison captures an important distinction between ingredients that attract water and formulations that help reduce moisture loss.
Dr. Borakowski recommends looking beyond lightweight gels and serums when skin becomes especially dry, incorporating richer creams containing lipids such as ceramides, squalane, and fatty acids.
She also cautions against excessive exfoliation when the complexion is already showing signs of irritation.
Retinoids, exfoliating acids, and other active ingredients can be useful components of skincare, but skin that feels unusually sensitive or uncomfortable may benefit from a gentler routine.
Another essential consideration is year-round sun protection.
Dr. Borakowski notes that ultraviolet exposure remains relevant during winter, particularly in snowy environments where reflected sunlight can increase exposure.
Her advice reinforces a practical seasonal philosophy: prioritize barrier support, pay attention to signs of irritation, and continue wearing sunscreen even when temperatures fall.
Katelyn Fitzgerald: The Art of Layering Winter Skincare
Founder & CEO, Luminous Skin Lab
For Katelyn Fitzgerald, founder and CEO of Luminous Skin Lab, effective winter hydration is less about finding one perfect moisturizer and more about understanding how different formulations work together.
Drawing on more than 16 years of experience treating skin in medical spas and luxury resorts and developing professional skincare products, Fitzgerald advocates a strategic layering approach.
Her method begins with a humectant-rich serum containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or polyglutamic acid, which help attract and retain water.
The next step is an emollient-based cream containing barrier-supporting ingredients such as ceramides or cholesterol.
For skin that benefits from additional moisture retention, Fitzgerald suggests incorporating a lightweight facial oil, such as jojoba, squalane, or rosehip, as a finishing step.
Rather than treating oils and moisturizers as interchangeable, her approach recognizes their different roles within a routine.
The goal is to create a balanced combination of hydration and moisture retention that responds to the skin's seasonal needs.
Fitzgerald's perspective is particularly useful for those who find that their usual moisturizer no longer provides the same level of comfort once indoor heating and cooler weather become part of everyday life.
Dr. Carol Eisenstat: Simplify Before Adding More Products
Board-Certified Anesthesiologist & Medical Director, Line Eraser MD
When winter dryness appears, the temptation is often to introduce more serums, treatments, and active ingredients.
Dr. Carol Eisenstat, a board-certified anesthesiologist and medical director of Line Eraser MD, encourages a more restrained approach.
Her philosophy begins with protecting the moisture the skin already has rather than continually adding products that may contribute to irritation.
One of her first recommendations is to reassess cleansing habits.
If skin feels tight or uncomfortable after washing, she suggests switching to a gentler cleanser and using lukewarm water instead of repeatedly stripping the skin and attempting to compensate with heavier products.
Moisturizing technique also matters.
Dr. Eisenstat recommends applying moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp, helping retain moisture after cleansing. During winter, she favors cream formulations containing ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid.
She also emphasizes that visible irritation should not be mistaken for evidence that a skincare treatment is working.
Persistent burning, flaking, or redness may signal the need to reduce the frequency of exfoliating acids, retinoids, or other potentially irritating products.
Her perspective is a reminder that an effective skincare routine does not necessarily need to become more complicated as the seasons change.
Sometimes, the most beneficial adjustment is a return to gentle cleansing, consistent moisturizing, and a more thoughtful use of active ingredients.
Learn More: LineEraserMD.com
Dr. Cindy Jones: Support the Skin Barrier with Hydration and Antioxidants
Biochemist, Cosmetic Formulator, Herbalist & Founder of Colorado Aromatics
Dr. Cindy Jones approaches winter skincare through the combined perspectives of biochemistry, formulation, and botanical science.
She emphasizes that the skin barrier plays an essential role in preventing excessive water loss, making barrier support especially relevant during periods of cold, dry weather.
Her recommendations begin with incorporating a hydrating serum or facial mist to replenish moisture, followed by a moisturizer or balm to help limit water loss.
She also highlights the importance of antioxidants, noting that environmental exposure can contribute to oxidative stress.
Botanical extracts are one potential source of antioxidant ingredients, and Dr. Jones incorporates this philosophy into the formulations developed for Colorado Aromatics.
Her approach brings attention to a sometimes-overlooked aspect of winter skincare: maintaining moisture and supporting the skin's protective functions are complementary goals.
A More Intentional Winter Skincare Routine
The most effective seasonal skincare adjustments often begin with paying attention to how the skin feels.
A routine that works beautifully during warmer months may need thoughtful modifications when colder air, reduced humidity, and indoor heating change the skin's environment.
Across these expert perspectives, several themes emerge: gentle cleansing, consistent hydration, barrier-supporting ingredients, a measured approach to exfoliation, and year-round sun protection.
The products featured here offer different ways to explore those priorities, from targeted Korean ampoules and convenient calming pads to innovative serums and botanical hydration.
Ultimately, National Healthy Skin Month is an opportunity to look beyond temporary beauty trends and consider the everyday habits that contribute to skin comfort and long-term care.
Healthy-looking skin doesn't necessarily require an elaborate routine. More often, it begins with choosing products thoughtfully, understanding their purpose, and giving the skin the consistency and care it deserves.
Editor's Note: Product descriptions, study findings, and expert commentary were supplied by the featured brands and contributors. Individual skincare needs and results may vary. Those experiencing persistent irritation or other skin concerns should consult a qualified healthcare professional.
