Winter Skincare Essentials for Women Over 40
Winter’s cold, dry air can be harsh on skin, especially for women over 40 and 50 who are already dealing with dryness from menopause (yep, that’s me!). Add irritation, tightness, and the dullness that comes with the freezing temps, and it’s the perfect time to tweak your skincare routine!
Just a few simple steps can keep your skin hydrated, nourished, and glowing all winter. Read on for my favorite products and expert tips to help your skin thrive, no matter how cold the weather gets!
Winter Skincare Essentials for Women Over 40
Hydrating Cleansers
As temperatures drop, your skin loses moisture faster, so it’s essential to switch to a hydrating cleanser. Harsh cleansers strip away natural oils, leaving your skin tight and dry. Instead, try a creamy or oil-based cleanser with ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Always use lukewarm water when washing your face, as hot water makes dryness worse!
You can find my complete list of favorite face washes here. For winter, I love Rice Water Cleansing Oil and my all-time favorite, Colleen Rothschild cleansing balm, which melts away makeup.
Rich Moisturizers
Your lightweight summer moisturizer just won’t cut it in winter. To keep your skin happy, switch to a richer formula that locks in hydration and prevents water loss! Look for ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, or squalane, which deeply nourish your skin. If you see products labeled “intense hydration” or “deep moisture,” those are your best bets!
Two of my current favorites are Cetaphil’s Rich Hydrating Cream and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream —they’re lifesavers for dry winter skin.
Serums with Hyaluronic Acid
If you want to give your skin an extra hydration boost, a serum with hyaluronic acid is a must. This superstar ingredient attracts water, leaving your skin plump and glowing. Pro tip: Apply the serum to damp skin to help it absorb better, and always follow up with a moisturizer to lock in all that hydration.
Are you unsure what serum to try? Use and love this La Roche Posay serum. Cerave’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum is also excellent.
Gentle Exfoliation
Exfoliation is still essential during winter, but it should be gentle to avoid irritation. Dry skin can appear dull, but over-exfoliating it can irritate the skin. Opt for products with lactic or mandelic acid, which are milder alternatives to glycolic acid.
Two great picks are Sunday Riley’s Good Genes and Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant, which I swear by! Limit exfoliating to just once or twice a week to keep your skin smooth without compromising its protective barrier.
Don’t Skip SPF
It’s easy to think that sunscreen isn’t necessary in winter, but UV rays are still out there, even on cloudy days. These rays cause premature aging and hyperpigmentation, so a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 should be a non-negotiable. If you’re spending time outdoors, especially around snow, go for a higher SPF to protect against reflective rays.
My go-to sunscreens (and I’ve tried a lot) are La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46, and CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 50 for Face and Body. They’re perfect for keeping your skin protected and hydrated throughout the winter!
Lip Care
Your lips are super sensitive to winter dryness, so they get cracked and chapped quickly. To keep them soft, use a nourishing lip balm with ingredients like beeswax or shea butter. Try not to lick your lips (it only makes things worse!). Aquaphor or Vaseline can also be used as a lip balm. Exfoliating your lips weekly with a lip scrub can help keep them soft and smooth by removing dead or flaking skin.
In addition to daily lip balm, you might want to try an overnight lip mask to hydrate your lips. I’m hooked on this Berry Flavored Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. Leave it on while you sleep, and you’ll wake up with the perfect pout!
Eye Creams
The skin around your eyes is delicate, and cold weather can make fine lines and puffiness more noticeable. Eye creams containing peptides and antioxidants can be a significant help in boosting hydration and elasticity. Apply them gently with your ring finger to avoid tugging. I’ve heard great things about Confidence in a Cream from IT Cosmetics!
Overnight Masks
Winter nights are for overnight masks, which are designed to go super deep to hydrate and repair your skin while you sleep. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid for added moisture, niacinamide to brighten the skin, and collagen to boost elasticity.
You can choose a physical mask, like this bestselling Biodance mask, or use a leave-on formula, like Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask. Use masks a couple of times a week to wake up to softer, more radiant skin!
Facial Oils
Facial oils are a game-changer in the winter. They’re boosters providing extra nourishment and help lock in moisture. Argan, jojoba, and rosehip oils are all excellent choices, especially for dry or mature skin. Not sure how to use them? Just apply a few drops after your serum, or mix them into your moisturizer for an extra boost, which is what I do when I’m really feeling parched.
If you have oily skin, you might want to skip this, but for dry skin, it’s a must-try. Elemis Superfood face oil is a great one, and Palmer’s offers a budget-friendly option with Cocoa butter.
Humidifiers for Indoor Hydration
Indoor heating can suck your skin dry, but getting a portable humidifier can make a huge difference. It helps maintain the proper humidity levels, especially in your bedroom, which keeps your skin feeling more hydrated. I like this Top Hill Humidifier since it is super easy to clean. This is key, so you don’t end up with a moldy humidifier!
Body Care
It’s easy to moisturize your face and hands, but forget about your body! Cold weather can also cause dryness and itchiness; consider adding thick body creams or butters with ingredients like urea or oatmeal to help alleviate these symptoms. The trick is to moisturize right after you shower to lock in hydration and keep your skin soft all day. You can check out all my favorite body lotions and creams for dry skin in this post.
Hand and Foot Care
Hands and feet are usually the most brutal hit and need extra love in the winter. Cold air and frequent handwashing can leave them cracked and irritated. Keep a rich hand cream like Gold Bond hand cream nearby and apply it throughout the day. For an extra treat, wear cotton gloves overnight to warm the cream and allow it to sink deeply into your skin.
For your feet, exfoliate weekly and follow up with a heavy-duty cream, such as Okeeffe’s Feet, before bed. These Zen Toes toeless moisturizing socks are great if you want to work on your heels or elbows.
Looking for even more tips? Hop over to 10 Winter Beauty Tips For Women Over 40!
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