Best Skin Care Routine for Dry, Mature Skin During Cold Weather Season According to a Dermatologist
We fill you in on the best steps and products to use during fall and winter if you’re over 50
With the warmer days ending and colder weather approaching, it’s time to transition to our fall routines. You already know to pull out your fall wardrobe, including your favorite boots, shackets and jeans, and put away those shorts, tanks and sandals — but have you ever thought about changing your skin care routine as the seasons change? If you haven’t, we’re here to let you know it’s just as important, if not more, as switching around your wardrobe — especially for those of us with mature skin. Your skin will have unique needs depending on the season and weather, and we should be responding to those needs to keep our skin healthy and happy. Keep reading for a dermatologist’s tips on curating the best skin care routine for chilly weather for mature, dry skin and women over 50, including product recommendations, the best skin care order and more.
Why do you need a skin care routine as the weather gets colder?
You may be wondering if it’s necessary to change your skin care routine as the seasons change. We get it – the last thing you want to do is buy more products and include extra steps in your routine. Thankfully, you don’t necessarily need to add more steps — you can take out some of the steps you did for the summer and just replace them with different alternatives.
For example, as the weather gets drier, you’ll want a thicker moisturizer for the fall than your summer moisturizer, as the moisture from your skin will start to dry out thanks to the winter weather. You’re not adding on an extra moisturizer; you’re simply swapping out your current summer favorite for an alternative more suitable for fall’s conditions.
“As summer gives way to fall, our skin experiences noticeable changes due to the drop in temperature and humidity. The cooler, drier air can deplete the skin’s natural moisture, resulting in increased dryness, flakiness and a lackluster appearance,” affirms Pooja Rambhia, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
She continues, “To address these seasonal changes, it’s essential to update your skincare routine with richer moisturizers, hydrating serums and gentle exfoliation, which help reinforce the skin’s barrier and maintain a glowing, youthful look. You change up your wardrobe from summer to fall — it’s important to do the same with your skincare to best suit your skin’s needs.”
How does mature skin change as the weather gets colder?
While it’s important for all ages to change their skin care routine as the seasons change, it’s especially important for mature skin and women over 50 to adjust their skincare products to the colder months and dry air.
“This seasonal shift is especially challenging for mature skin, which is already more susceptible to dryness and has a slower cell turnover rate. The reduced humidity during fall can intensify the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making them more visible,” explains Dr. Rambhia. “Additionally, mature skin may find it harder to maintain its elasticity and firmness.”
Cold weather skin care routine steps for dry, mature skin
To make it easy for you, we asked Dr. Rambhia to break down the best skin care routine for both morning and night to try out as the weather gets colder. Spoiler: it’s simple and doesn’t involve 10 different steps, making your winter skincare routine easy and simple.
Morning skin care routine
First things first, you’ll want to start with cleansing your skin. “I recommend starting your morning with a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove any impurities that may have accumulated overnight,” affirms Dr. Rambhia.
Next, follow up with an antioxidant serum, which Dr. Rambhia says helps to “protect the skin from environmental damage.” After applying the serum, finish it off with a hydrating moisturizer and SPF30. “Use a rich moisturizer to provide a layer of hydration and to reinforce the skin barrier. Finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF30+ to protect against UV rays, even on cooler, cloudy days.”
Nighttime skin care routine
Just like in the morning, for your nighttime skin care routine as the weather gets colder, you’ll want to start with cleansing “to remove makeup, sunscreen and any impurities that have accumulated on the skin throughout the day,” says Dr. Rambhia.
As the weather gets colder, your skin will feel drier, which is why exfoliating is so important. “Follow this (cleansing) with a gentle exfoliant two to three times a week to slough off dead skin cells and promote cell turnover,” suggests Dr. Rambhia. She continues, “On days you are not using an AHA/BHA exfoliant, I recommend using a retinol-based product to help target fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne and overall photoaging.”
Lastly, slather on a nourishing night cream “to lock in hydration and support the skin’s natural repair process while you sleep.”
Best cold weather skin care routine products for dry, mature skin
Keep reading for Dr. Rambhia’s top product picks for your wintry weather skin care routine.
Best cleanser for cold weather
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
When you first pump out Cerave Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, it will look like a cream-based product, but as you emulsify it and massage onto skin, it turns into a foam. “This is ideal for dry/mature skin types as it’s able to remove dirt and makeup without stripping away natural moisture or leaving the skin feeling tight and dry,” says Dr. Rambhia. “The best part: this is an effective, non-irritating product at a cost-effective price point that is easily accessible to consumers.”
Best serum for cold weather
Skinbetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum
This serum, Skinbetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum, is on the pricier side, but it’s Dr. Rambhia’s pick if you’re willing to splurge — especially if you have mature skin. “This contains 17 potent antioxidants including vitamins C and E that fight against free-radical damage that can contribute to the aging process,” she recommends.
Best moisturizers for cold weather
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 242
The next two moisturizers are also splurge products but made Dr. Rambhia’s list for a reason. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 242 is “rich, yet fast-absorbing, and is chock full of essential skin lipids to help replenish and nourish dry, mature skin,” she says.
Skinbetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Why not combine your retinol and moisturizer in one? Well, you can with Skinbetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream. Dr. Rambhia recommends this pick because on top of retinoid, it also contains lactic acid and glycolic acid, which mature skin will love. If you have sensitive skin, this may be better for your skin than a traditional retinol, since it’s a moisturizing base which will help limit irritation, says Dr. Rambhia.
“This cream helps to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture,” adds Dr. Rambhia.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream is a great drugstore pick, costing less than $25 for rich hydration perfect for colder weather. “This non-comedogenic, fragrance-free cream contains peptides and ceramides to improve aging associated changes and effectively hydrate the skin,” backs Dr. Rambhia.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
If you’re looking for a price point that’s in between drugstore and high-end, look no further than Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. It has skin barrier-strengthening superpowers and feels luxe and nourishing on skin. “As temperatures drop and humidity levels decrease in the fall, skin tends to lose moisture more rapidly, leading to dryness, flakiness and a dull appearance,” explains Dr. Rambhia. “Mature skin, which is naturally more prone to dryness and has a diminished ability to retain moisture, can particularly benefit from this lotion.”
Best sunscreen for cold weather
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen with Sheer Tint
Yes, you still need sunscreen even in the fall and winter! CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen with Sheer Tint is Dr. Rambhia’s pick, as it’s made with niacinamide to help calm skin, which can become easily irritated in colder weather, as well as moisturizing and hydrating ceramides and hyaluronic acid. And it’s especially great for mature skin: “This is a great option for those with dry/mature skin as the hydration alone can help to subtly minimize the appearance of fine lines, in addition to providing sun-protection.”
Best retinols for cold weather
RoC Retinol Correction Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules
All of Dr. Rambhia’s OTC retinol picks are affordable drugstore options (which we love). First up, she recommends RoC Retinol Correction Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules because it’s a serum that aside from retinol, contains ceramides which help repair the skin barrier.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene 0.1%
If you suffer from menopausal acne, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene 0.1% can be an excellent product to try to help clear up skin while also helping with fine lines and wrinkles. “This mild retinoid is slightly more potent than its retinol counterparts. In addition to having anti-aging benefits, it also treats acne!” says Dr. Rambhia.
