This Skincare Routine For Dry Skin Pampers, Hydrates & Protects in UNDER 10 Minutes!

If you’re looking for a winter skincare routine for dry skin, keep reading, because I’m here to help, girl! I got really into skincare about a year and half ago when I had my third baby and my skin kind of went haywire on me. Up until then, I was a Clean & Clear kind of girl who barely moisturized, only wore sunscreen when I remembered, and didn’t always wash my makeup off. If this sounds like you, you’re definitely my people(;

As we get older, it’s increasingly important to take care of our skin, especially our faces. But as you may know, it’s also increasingly hard to devote time to any form of self-care as you have babies and those babies began to need you more and more.

This quick skincare routine has everything you need to hydrate and protect your skin against harsh Winter temps AND allow for a little pampering in the process. All in about eight minutes, so you can move on with your day (or end the day and get some much-needed rest!) Ready to dive in?

Ps. I use a couple of amazing products from Black-owned skincare brands in my routine. (You can read more HERE about my commitment to highlighting Black-owned businesses). Look for * to denote a brand or shop is Black-owned.

DISCLOSURE: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Read more about it HERE

Short on time? Skip ahead to your WINTER SKINCARE ROUTINE SHOPPING LIST.

Do You Need A Winter Skincare Routine?

It was the Summertime when I first began using a consistent skincare routine. So when Fall and Winter rolled around, I wondered if I really needed to switch up my skincare routine with the season. The short answer is YES.

As temps cool and there’s less moisture in the air, your skin may need a little help staying hydrated. So the clarifying cleanser you used over the Summer might be too harsh, and the lightweight moisturizer you wore under your makeup in June might not be thick enough to protect against dry Winter air.

For me, a winter skincare routine is all about hydration and protection.

Skincare Routine For Dry Skin: The Basics

You may already know all of these, but let’s get a few skincare basics out of the way.

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Hydration is not only important for your skin, but for your body as a whole. The truth is, none of the products I’m about to recommend will go very far if you’re not drinking enough fluids. The actual amount you need to drink is debatable, but I find I feel the best when I get at least 72 ounces in.
2. Get your beauty rest. And while your at it, use a satin or silk pillowcase. Cotton saps moisture from your skin over time, which means you can wake up with dryer skin than when you laid down. Eight hours is not always realistic as a mom, so I’ll just say get as much rest as you can!
3. Consistency is key. A good skincare routine will work the best when you follow your routine every day, twice a day. The beauty of this one is, it only takes 8 minutes, and you’re done!

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And now…

The Best Products For Your Winter Skincare Routine

CLEANSER

If you’re on the dry side, you’ll want something gentle that hydrates while it cleanses. My go-to is Cerave Hydrating Cleanser With Ceramides And Hyaluronic Acid. I also really like Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser. It doesn’t foam nearly as much as typical foam cleansers, so it’s not drying at all. Plus, the enzymes gently break down dirt without irritating sensitive skin.

TONER

So, the jury’s out on whether you actually NEED toner in your routine. Older formulas were closer to astringents that removed leftover dirt and grime, but today’s toners are much gentler. They can be used for extra hydration or to treat issues like acne or hyperpigmentation. Since my skincare routine is for dry skin, I use my toner as an extra hydration step. My recipe costs less than $10, plus it’s super easy to make!

Homemade Toner Recipe

• 1 Part Glycerin

• 3 Parts Aloe Vera Juice

The glycerin acts as a hydrating agent and helps hold in moisture throughout the day, while the aloe vera juice (which is literally just aloe vera and water) moisturizes and refreshes. I’ve been using this mix for a while now and it has really elevated my routine.

However…

If you’re not a homemade kind of gal, this TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mochi Toner is another great option, no mixing required(;

ESSENCE

What is an essence, you ask? Essentially, it acts as a booster for whatever product you layer it under. So when I layer an essence under my favorite hydrating serum (we’ll get to that in a second), it’s like my serum is suddenly on steroids. Extra hydration is exactly what you need in a winter skincare routine, especially one for dry skin.

I really like Peach & Lily’s Wild Dew Treatment Essence. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, Lotus Extract, and Bamboo Extract for supercharged hydration that makes my skin soft and dewy and helps prep it for the next step.

SERUM

Serums are potent products that can offer extra hydration or treat issues like discoloration, wrinkles and fine lines, or hyperpigmentation. If you go with a serum with active ingredients, they can also exfoliate. For daily use, I like Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum. It’s hero ingredients include Niacinamide which hydrates and targets dark spots and a Peptide Complex that encourages collagen production which hides fine lines and makes my skin look firmer and overall healthier.

For weekly exfoliation, I recommend Jamie + Grant’s* Milk Peel Sleeping Mask. It’s gentler than a traditional peel, but it does contain Lactic Acid so it’s a great for exfoliating the skin without accidentally overdoing it (which is common with physical exfoliants).

EYE CREAM

The skin around our eyes is thinner and more delicate than other areas of our faces, so it sometimes needs an extra boost of hydration, especially if you have dry skin overall. I love Look Good, Live Well’s* HydraBright Eye Treatment. It’s lightweight, yet a little goes a long way in reducing puffiness and fine lines.

I apply it both day and night, but I love how it wakes up my entire face in the mornings. Looking fresh and well-rested, even when you don’t feel that way, is definitely a good flex, ya’ll!

Looking for Black-owned skincare brands? Check out this list of skincare products designed to hydrate, treat, and protect your skin.

MOISTURIZER

A great moisturizer is KEY to a good skincare routine for dry skin. Look for ingredients that are both hydrating (goes beneath the skin’s surface) and moisturizing (treats the outer layer). I like to switch my moisturizers up every few months, but right now, I really love Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream. It contains five different ceramides to hydrate skin from the inside out and help prevent moisture loss.

SUNSCREEN

By now, it’s a pretty well-known fact that you need to wear sunscreen year round, even if you have beautiful, melanin-rich skin, and, yes, even if you work primarily indoors. UVA rays can still travel through windows and cause early aging and some types of skin cancers! I have a few options depending on what my day looks like. If it’s a no-makeup day, I usually go with Sun Bum Face Mist SPF 45. This is a chemical sunscreen, so I typically layer it under my moisturizer. If you prefer physical sunscreens, Drunk Elephant’s Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 is a great option too. (Physical sunscreens are your last step, after your moisturizer).

If I’m wearing makeup that day…

I prefer Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40. It comes in 30 different shades, and it contains Zinc Oxide for physical protection from the Sun. It’s also super hydrating, so when I go with this option, I’m able to skip my moisturizer for the day.

NOTE: Remember to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day! On no makeup days, I simply spray another layer of my face mist. If I’m wearing the Ilia, I use Pacifica Matte Sheer Setting Mist with SPF 45.

NIGHT CREAM

A rich, hydrating night cream is a great way to hydrate and pamper skin overnight after you’ve cleansed, toned, and applied your treatment. I love Mad Hippie’s Triple C Night Cream, which is Vegan & cruelty-free, plus contains three different forms of Vitamin C. Be warned: a little goes a looong way with this thick, rich formula!

I also really like Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream. It’s a budget-friendly option that contains Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, and a proprietary delivery system that releases moisture throughout the night to hydrate and treat your skin all night long.

8 Minute Winter Skincare Routine For Dry Skin

*NOTE: If a step is not labeled “DAYTIME” or “NIGHTTIME”, that means I use it mornings AND evenings.

STEP 1. Cleanser: Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser OR Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser

STEP 2. Toner: Glycerin + Aloe Vera Juice Mix OR TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mochi Toner

STEP 3. Essence: Peach & Lily Wild Dew Treatment Essence

STEP 4. Daily Serum: Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum

STEP 4. (NIGHTTIME) Weekly Serum: Jamie + Grant* Milk Peel Sleeping Mask

STEP 5. Eye Cream: Look Good, Live Well* HydraBright Eye Treatment

STEP 6. (DAYTIME) Moisturizer: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream

STEP 7. (DAYTIME) Sunscreen: Sun Bum Face Mist SPF 45 OR Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 OR Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer SPF 30

STEP 7. (NIGHTTIME) Night Cream: Mad Hippie Triple C Night Cream OR Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream

A Few Notes

• You can move through these steps as quickly as you need to; I usually let a product absorb for about 45 seconds-1 minute and then move on to the next step. If I have time, I’ll let the serums absorb for a little longer.

• On exfoliation nights, I only use the Lactic Acid. You CAN layer your serums depending on the ingredients, but I typically don’t.

• Another note on actives like lactic acid: most need to be applied to COMPLETE DRY skin, so on exfoliation nights, I skip my Toner & Essence. Acids also typically make your skin extra sensitive towards the Sun, so it’s best to use them at night.

• The Ilia Skin Tint is designed to make skin look dewy and hydrated. You can use a powder if you want to tone that down a bit. I recommend Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder OR Beauty Bakerie* Face Flour Baking Powder.

BONUS ROUND: A Few More Hydrating Products I Can’t Live Without

Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask: I use this 1-2 nights per week, usually the night after I exfoliate. I wake up with super soft, glowy, hydrated skin.

Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25: I usually use this one as an overnight mask for my lips. It’s super hydrating, plus the grapefruit & ginger smells so yummy!

I love these sheet masks from Dr. Jart+ & Peach & Lily when I want a night of pampering. They pair well with a glass of wine, just saying(;

Cerave Moisturizing Cream: This is a great all-over cream that I use for me and my kids. I also use as my very last step on those nights when my skin is feeling particularly dry and I really want to seal in moisturizer.

Mad Hippie Cleansing Oil (for easy, yet gentle, makeup removal)

If you made it this far, thank you for reading! I hope you’ve enjoyed my list of the best products for a quick skincare routine for dry skin.

It’s so important for us as women and moms to take care of ourselves and treat ourselves. Maybe that means a banging skincare routine or a shopping day for new clothes for the season. Whatever it means, consider this your reminder to prioritize yourself whenever you can.

Until next time, babes!