Hey Reader!

Winter is hard on everyone’s skin, but your skin has its own specific needs. Maybe it’s always tight by noon. Maybe it gets oily on the surface but feels dry underneath. Maybe it’s reactive and fussy the moment the temperature drops.

That’s why your winter routine should never be one-size-fits-all.

Today, let’s build a simple, customizable routine that keeps your skin hydrated, calm, and protected all season long — based on what your skin is telling you.

STEP 1: Identify What Your Skin Needs Most This Winter

Start by choosing the statement that feels most true right now:

A. “My skin feels tight or dehydrated.”

You need: Humectants that work in low humidity​
→ Glycerin, tremella (snow mushroom), beta-glucan, panthenol
​

B. “My skin feels irritated or sensitive.”

You need: Barrier support + soothing ingredients​
→ Peptides, niacinamide, aloe, emollient moisturizers
​

C. “My skin looks dull or textured.”

You need: Hydration + gentle repair​
→ Snow mushroom for surface hydration + peptides for resilience
​

D. “My anti-aging products feel harsher in winter.”

You need: Hydration-first layering​
→ Hydrating serum → peptide/niacinamide layer → moisturizer
​

Choose 1 or 2 options, and that should be your winter skincare priority.

STEP 2: Use the Winter “Hydration Stack” Formula

Every balanced winter routine is built on this sequence:

1. Gentle Cleanse

Avoid stripping cleansers (even if you have combination or oily skin) they immediately raise TEWL.
​

2. Hydrate (Humectant Layer)

Use ingredients that perform well even in dry air:
✔ Glycerin
✔ Beta-glucan
✔ Tremella
✔ Aloe
​

3. Strengthen (Barrier Layer)

Ceramides help keep your barrier intact

Peptides help the skin retain hydration.

Niacinamide reinforces barrier function.
​

4. Moisturize (Emollient Layer)

Seals in hydration and smooths the outer layer.

5. Protect (Occlusive Layer, if needed)

If your climate is very cold or dry, use a thin occlusive layer at night to reduce TEWL dramatically.
This science-backed stacking method keeps hydration in place longer and keeps your barrier calm.

STEP 3: Choose the Version Based on Your Skin Type

Below are simple, flexible routine layouts can try depending on how your skin feels

If Your Skin Feels Dry or Dehydrated Try...

AM:

• Gentle cleanse
• Humectant serum (glycerin, tremella)
• Peptide or niacinamide layer
• Emollient moisturizer
• SPF

PM:

• Gentle cleanse
• Hydrating layer
• Peptides
• Thick moisturizer
• Optional balm or occlusive

If You Have Oily or Combination Skin Try...

AM:

• Light, non-stripping cleanse
• Humectant layer
• Lightweight moisturizer
• SPF

PM:

• Gentle cleanse
• Hydrating serum
• Optional peptides
• Gel-cream or balancing moisturizer

(Even oily skin loses water in winter, hydration is non-negotiable.)

If You’re Sensitive or Reacting to Actives Try...

AM:

• Cream or milk cleanser
• Soothing humectants (beta-glucan, aloe)
• Peptides
• Barrier cream
• SPF

PM:

• Gentle cleanse
• Hydrating serum
• Barrier-repair moisturizer
• Occlusive if needed

(Put retinoids/acids on pause until irritation calms.)

STEP 4: Troubleshoot With These Fixes

Your skin still feels tight midday:

Add an occlusive at night or increase emollients.

Your skin stings when applying products:

Reduce actives for 3–5 days and focus on hydration + barrier layers.

You see flaking:

Increase humectants and seal them in.

Makeup looks patchy:

Apply hydrating layers on damp skin and use a cream moisturizer as your base.

Want To Learn Even More About The Science of Skincare?

Check out these related articles on RelatableSci.com that break down the science of skincare a little more.

Do you want to read past newsletters? Head over to the archive of all of our previous newsletter series.

​Relatable Skincare Report Archive​

Stay tuned for my next email. And if you found this interesting, share it with a friend! And if a friend sent this to you and it was helpful, subscribe so that you get it delivered to your inbox next week, and a free routine audit guide to say welcome!

​Subscribe and Get the Free Skincare Routine Audit Guide​

In the meantime, please respond to this email and tell me what skincare topics you're curious about.

Wishing you a great week,

Allie