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A change of season often brings a change in rhythm. The colder months invite a slower pace: longer nights, warmer, more nourishing meals, and a natural shift in your winter wellness rituals. But as comforting as this season can feel, winter weather is less kind to your skin. Cold air, low humidity, and indoor heat can lead to dryness, dullness, and irritation, leaving your skin barrier more fragile and in need of extra care. Winter skincare isn’t about taking a more-is-more approach. It’s about intentionally ushering your skin into a season of slowness and comfort.
To help our skin transition to the colder months, I spoke to Malika Sloan, a medical aesthetics expert who gets the VIP clients at her NYC studio, Sloan Studio, ready for seasonal changes. She gave us a full, expert-packed protocol for a winter skincare routine that’s both intentional and effective.
Feature image by Michelle Nash
Why your skincare routine needs a winter update
I like to think of the cold-weather switch as a reminder to lean into more thoughtful care. Summer skincare is about whatever feels fastest, easiest, and smoothest under sunscreen. Then comes the cold front. “You have cold air and less humidity outside, then you go inside and the heat is blasting so your skin is constantly being pulled between two very dry environments,” says Sloan.
Harsher weather paired with the stress of the holiday season (the link between cortisol and skin health may surprise you) can leave skin feeling dry, reactive, and out of balance, making winter a time when our barrier needs a boost.
Common signs of winter skin include:
- Dryness. Dryness is often a mix of genetics and environmental stress. Cold temperatures and dry air strip moisture from the skin, leading to flakiness, tightness, and a rough texture. And it’s not just the air outside: Indoor heat contributes to seasonal skin stress, too.
- Irritation. Itchiness, redness, and sensitivity are common in winter, and they’re often triggered by your environment. Dry indoor air, allergens, and pollutants can leave skin more reactive than usual.
- A compromised skin barrier. Your skin barrier is a protective shield against environmental stressors, irritation, and inflammation. When it’s weakened, often by harsh ingredients, over-exfoliation, or product overload, skin becomes more sensitive and prone to dullness and breakouts.
As our daily routines come indoors, our skincare routines should adjust, too, focusing on replenishing moisture and strengthening the skin barrier.
According to Sloan, “the biggest thing is realizing that your skin doesn’t need the exact same routine 12 months out of the year. What worked perfectly in July might be way too much in December.”
Creating a winter skincare routine for women over 40
There’s a lot of talk about speeding up cellular repair after 40, which is true. But it can lead to overdoing it with actives and forgetting to add nourishing ingredients back in.
“In your 40s you have to be a little smarter about the balance between results and protecting the skin,” says Sloan. “As hormones start shifting, a lot of women notice their skin suddenly feels drier or less resilient than it used to. That doesn’t mean you need to start piling on anti-aging products. I actually think that can backfire.”
So what do we do instead? According to Sloan, doing less can actually lead to more dramatic results. “I’m always going to choose a few really effective products used consistently over a 12-step ‘anti-aging’ routine.”
She recommends a routine that prioritizes the basics, but elevated. Think of it the way you’d look for the perfect white tee: not reinventing the wheel, just a little more considered.
“I still want the heavy hitters—vitamin C, SPF, retinoids, intentional exfoliation—but I also want a really healthy barrier. A richer moisturizer, more hydration, and fewer unnecessary actives can make a huge difference.”
Ahead, Sloan shares her go-to winter skincare routine, including exactly what to keep, reduce, and swap.
AM winter skincare routines for women over 40
“Keep it simple,” says Sloan. Just because the weather is changing, that doesn’t mean your whole routine has to.
“The biggest thing I tell my clients is not to panic and change everything the second their skin gets dry. Keep what’s working, pull back on what’s irritating you, and give your skin more support where it needs it. Your routine should move with your skin.”
Sloan prefers a few tweaks and swaps over a completely new routine.
“Gentle cleanser, vitamin C, moisturizer, and SPF. If your skin is getting dry, swap your lightweight summer moisturizer for something richer and add a hydrating serum if you actually need one. And SPF absolutely stays—winter does not mean we stop wearing sunscreen.”
Start with a gentle cleanser
Skincare starts with a cleanser, and winter is when you may realize yours is stripping your skin instead of supporting it. “If your skin starts feeling tight after cleansing,” says Sloan, “or products that normally feel fine are suddenly stinging, it’s probably time to make some adjustments.”
Many people underestimate a good cleanser, but the wrong one can cause those winter skin blues. Choose a gentle one, and the rest of your routine will thank you.
What moisturizer should you choose for winter skin?
The first step, according to Sloan, is figuring out what your skin actually needs. “Dry skin is a skin type—you naturally don’t produce as much oil. Dehydrated skin is lacking water, and anyone can be dehydrated. I see plenty of people who are oily, breaking out, and still dehydrated underneath.”
For dehydration, look for ingredients that put water back into the skin: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and B vitamins. For dry skin, look for ceramides, squalane, and lipids.
What about exfoliation?
“Where I think people really get themselves into trouble is exfoliation,” says Sloan. “They see dry, flaky skin and think, ‘I need to exfoliate this off.’ Sometimes you actually need to do the opposite. If your skin is irritated and peeling, adding more acids can just keep you in that cycle.”
Think of exfoliation as maintenance, as needed, not a daily practice. Dry or textured skin is sometimes a sign to pare down, not ramp up.
PM winter skincare routines for women over 40
At night, Sloan’s routine is just as streamlined: Cleanse, use your retinoid if you tolerate one, and moisturize. If your skin gets dry or irritated, use the retinoid fewer nights a week and cut back on exfoliating acids. This is also where she’d swap in a richer moisturizer.
How to choose a nighttime moisturizer for winter skin
Though viral skincare trends like “slugging” advocate an extreme approach to moisturizing, Sloan says most people don’t need to try it. “Unless your skin is literally peeling off and your barrier is extremely compromised, I don’t think you need to coat your face in a heavy occlusive. Especially if you’re acne-prone or congested, slugging can be way too much.”
Instead, she says, switch to a slightly richer moisturizer and, if your skin can tolerate it, add an oil to seal it in.
Retinoids for winter skin
You don’t need to shelve your retinoid for the season, says Sloan. “I don’t believe in automatically stopping all your actives because it’s winter. If your retinoid is working for you and your skin is happy, keep using it. You may just need to use your retinoid a little less often or add more barrier support around it.” If needed, she says, switch to every third night instead of every other night.
Winter skin doesn’t need a new routine, just a more supportive one. Keep what works, pull back on what irritates, and give your barrier a richer layer of care. Your skin will thank you by spring.
This post was last updated on October 16, 2026, to include new insights.
