I’m always hesitant to switch up my skin care routine, but experts agree that what works in summer may not serve you as well in winter. Many of us make the same skin care missteps when cold weather rolls in, according to dermatologist Whitney Hovenic. Some of those missteps include over-cleansing, skipping SPF, neglecting lips and hands, and clinging to lightweight moisturizers that just won’t cut it past summer. The good news, though, is that a few smart product swaps can make all the difference between dry, flaky skin and the hydrated glow we crave-and Dr. Hovenic’s all too happy to share them. Ahead, she lets us in on the cold-weather skin care swaps she recommends most to her patients, made up of affordable staples from drugstore brands like CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, Aquaphor, and more. Best of all, Dr. Hovenic’s picks start at $12 for “a true multitasker” she always keeps on hand all winter for lips, elbows, hands, and more. Dermatologist-Recommended Winter Skin Care Swaps Spooge Ghosted Mineral All-Screen SPF 30 Face Sunscreen, $26 (was $32) CeraVe Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser, $19 (was $20) La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5, $19 Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream, $41 (was $54) Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Moisturizing Gel Cream, $12 (was $17) Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy, $11 (was $14) The Mistake: Skipping Sunscreen in Winter The Solution: Use SPF Every Day, Rain or Shine Many people think sunscreen is just for summer, but UV rays, the leading cause of premature aging, pigmentation, and skin cancer, are present all year long, Dr. Hovenic says. What’s more: Winter recreation can even magnify the sun’s risk to skin. “Fresh snow can reflect up to 80 percent of UV radiation, and UV intensity increases by about 5 percent for every 1, 000 feet of altitude gained,” she says. “Daily sun protection is just as essential in winter as it is in summer.” Her solution is this sheer, mineral sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection that wears comfortably in cold weather without chalkiness or pilling. “I love this formula because it checks every box for winter skin care,” she says. “It’s mineral-only (which makes it great for sensitive or acne-prone skin), it hydrates thanks to squalane and vitamin E, and the finish disappears so you’ll actually want to wear it every day.” The Mistake: Over-Cleansing or Using Harsh Soaps The Solution: Swap In a Creamy Cleanser Popular foaming cleansers can strip away the skin’s natural oils, disrupt the barrier, and leave it tight, itchy, and irritated. Compare that to rich, cream cleansers that remove dirt, makeup, and SPF while still maintaining hydration, and it’s easy to see why Dr. Hovenic steers her patients to CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser. “In winter, your cleanser should leave skin feeling clean and comfortable, not squeaky or tight,” she says. “This is a perfect balance between thorough and gentle. The amino acid and ceramide blend keeps the barrier intact while removing makeup and sunscreen effectively.” The Mistake: Neglecting Your Skin Barrier The Solution: Add a Soothing, Barrier-Repairing Balm Your skin barrier can take a hit any time of year, but it’s especially vulnerable in winter’s cold, dry weather. Ignoring a compromised skin barrier can lead to flakiness, redness, and sensitivity that can ruin complexions. To keep skin’s natural defenses in fighting shape, she loves this soothing balm by drugstore darling La Roche-Posay that’s “like a winter coat for your barrier and provides instant relief.” “This is great for anyone experiencing irritation from cold air, windburn, or active ingredients like retinol,” she says. “The [vitamin] B5 and madecassoside work together to calm inflammation and lock in hydration, helping the skin recover quickly.” Regular use can keep skin in tip-top shape and ready to perform at its best. The Mistake: Using the Same Lightweight Moisturizer All Year The Solution: Try a Richer Moisturizer With Ceramides Moisturizers aren’t one-size-fits-all, and that lightweight moisturizer that had you glowing last summer just won’t cut it in winter. Sticking with the same moisturizer during the winter months can leave your skin dehydrated, tight, and more prone to irritation, Dr. Hovenic says. Tag in a nourishing moisturizer with ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to restore hydration and reinforce the skin barrier during harsh winter weather. Her personal pick is Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream. “This formula mimics the skin’s natural lipids to lock in moisture and support a healthy barrier. It is perfect for keeping dryness and irritation at bay when temps drop.” The Mistake: Taking Long, Hot Showers The Solution: Moisturize After Every Shower Long, hot showers become daily rituals when the mercury dips, but that steamy self-care might be doing more harm than good. Hot water strips away protective oils that help keep skin hydrated, according to Dr. Hovenic, which can lead to irritation and roughness. “My hack is to only lightly towel off so your skin is damp, and immediately apply moisturizer to lock in the hydration from the shower,” she says. And her post-shower moisturizer of choice is Neutrogena’s refreshing Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream. It’s powered by hyaluronic acid for long-lasting hydration and “feels like a drink of water for your skin,” she says. “It absorbs instantly, never feels sticky, and leaves your skin silky and hydrated.” The Mistake: Forgetting to Care for Lips and Hands The Solution: Aquaphor Healing Ointment Does It All During busy winter months, the lips and hands often get neglected, yet they’re the most exposed and most prone to chapping in cold weather. “Aquaphor is one of those winter essentials I always keep on hand,” Dr. Hovenic says. “It’s simple, fragrance-free, and incredibly effective for soothing and healing dry, irritated skin.” “I love that it can be used anywhere: on the lips, hands, elbows, or any rough patches, and that it locks in moisture while still letting the skin breathe. Keep a travel-sized version in your pocket and reapply after handwashing. This is a true multitasker for cold-weather care.”.
https://www.realsimple.com/dermatologist-approved-amazon-winter-skin-care-swaps-november-2025-11835596
The Cold-Weather Skin Care Mistakes You’re Probably Making—and 6 Easy Fixes a Dermatologist Swears By
