Winter Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin

A Simple Winter Routine for Dry, Sensitive Skin

Does your skin feel tight, dry or itchy the moment the weather turns? Cold wind outside and central heating inside both pull moisture from the skin, and sensitive skin usually feels it first: on the face, the hands and the lips.

The good news is that a winter routine can be simple. A gentle wash, a fragrance-free moisturiser applied at the right moments, and a little extra care for hands and lips keep most skin comfortable right through to spring.

What you’ll learn

• Why sensitive skin feels drier in winter
• A simple morning and evening routine
• Extra care for hands, lips and face
• Easy changes at home that help skin stay comfortable
• When to ask your pharmacist or GP for advice

Why winter is hard on sensitive skin

Your skin holds on to moisture best when the air around it is mild and humid. Winter brings the opposite: cold, windy air outdoors and warm, dry air from heating indoors. Hot showers, frequent handwashing and moving between the two all add to the effect.

For skin that is already dry, sensitive or eczema-prone, this can mean more tightness, flaking and itch. Our guide to winter itchy skin explains the causes in more detail. This guide focuses on the routine that helps.

If you have eczema, our guide to the best cream for eczema in Ireland can help you choose a moisturiser.

Your winter routine at a glance

Your winter morning routine

1. Wash with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, or simply water if your skin is very dry.
2. Pat dry with a soft towel, leaving the skin very slightly damp.
3. Moisturise straight away. A light, fragrance-free cream like Atopic Cream absorbs quickly, so you can get dressed or apply make-up soon after.
4. Protect your lips with a lip balm before you head out.
5. Add SPF to your face on bright days, as winter sun still reaches the skin.

Your winter evening routine

1. Keep showers short and warm rather than hot, ideally under ten minutes.
2. Use a soap-free wash and rinse it away thoroughly.
3. Moisturise within a few minutes of drying, while the skin is still slightly damp. This is the most important step of the day.
4. Give hands and lips a final layer before bed, so they have the whole night to stay soft.

Extra care for hands

Hands are washed more than any other part of the body, and in winter they also face cold air and wind. A few habits make a big difference:

• Moisturise after every wash, even a quick one. Keeping a pump bottle beside the sink makes this easy.
• Wear gloves outdoors on cold or windy days.
• Use rubber gloves with a thin cotton pair underneath for washing up and cleaning.
• Apply a generous layer at night and wear light cotton gloves to bed if your hands are very dry.

One pump of Atopic Cream covers both hands, and every 50ml bottle gives over 100 pumps. For hands that are cracked or sore, our guide to dry, cracked hands has more tips.

Extra care for lips

• Apply lip balm before going outside and again whenever lips feel dry.
• Try to keep from licking your lips, as saliva dries quickly and leaves them drier still.
• Drink water through the day and add a layer of balm at bedtime.

The Bragan Snail Mucin Lip Balm is made with snail mucin, plant oils and shea butter to keep lips soft and comfortable.

Extra care for your face

Cheeks, the nose and the skin around the mouth take the brunt of cold wind. Keep your face routine short and gentle: a mild cleanser, a fragrance-free moisturiser, and a scarf over the lower face on very cold days. Our guide to weather triggers for facial eczema covers this in more depth.

Easy changes at home

• Turn the heating down a little and keep bedrooms cooler at night.
• Add moisture to the air with a humidifier, or a bowl of water near a radiator.
• Choose soft, breathable layers such as cotton next to the skin, with wool on top.
• Wash clothes with a fragrance-free detergent and rinse well.
• Keep moisturiser where you need it: by the sink, in your bag and beside the bed.

When to ask for advice

Most winter dryness settles with a gentle routine. Speak to your pharmacist or GP if your skin becomes red, cracked or bleeding, if itching is keeping you awake, or if dryness is spreading or lasting for weeks. If you have eczema, our guide to winter eczema flare-ups explains how to manage colder months.

From our family snail farm in County Monaghan

Bragan Skincare is a family-run Irish business with its own snail farm. We know Irish winters well, and we collect the snail mucin for our skincare gently, keeping the snails healthy, to make products for dry and sensitive skin.

Learn more about snail mucin in skincare and the Bragan family story.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best winter skincare routine for sensitive skin?

Keep it simple: wash with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, moisturise within a few minutes of drying, protect your lips before going out, and moisturise your hands after every wash. A light, fragrance-free cream like Bragan Atopic Cream fits easily into both morning and evening.

How often should I moisturise in winter?

At least twice a day for face and body, and after every handwash for your hands. Dry areas can be moisturised as often as they feel tight.

Why does my skin get so dry in winter?

Cold, windy air outdoors and warm, dry air from heating indoors both draw moisture from the skin. Hot showers and frequent handwashing add to it, so sensitive skin often feels tighter and itchier.

What should I put on my lips in winter?

A nourishing lip balm applied before going outside, through the day and at bedtime. The Bragan Snail Mucin Lip Balm combines snail mucin with plant oils and shea butter to keep lips soft.

Should I change my skincare routine in winter?

Most people benefit from a gentler cleanser, slightly more moisturiser and extra care for hands and lips. Keep the routine short and consistent so your skin can settle.

About the author

Kieran Corley is the founder of Bragan Skincare in County Monaghan. He writes from his experience of skincare product development, the family snail farm and conversations with customers about caring for sensitive skin through Irish winters.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Further reading

Read our guides to dry skin in winter, the best moisturiser for sensitive skin in winter and how weather affects sensitive skin.