Namaste Winter, Namaste Dryness? Not This Year! As Dr Sufi’s winter skincare routine is savior this time.
Winter in India is like a Bollywood movie — the vibe changes completely depending on where you are. In Shimla, you’re wrapped in four layers, sipping endless chai, while your cheeks turn into frosted gulab jamuns. In Mumbai, you’re wearing light jackets pretending it’s cold, but your lips still feel like papad.
No matter where you live, one thing is universal: your skin notices the season change before you do. Dry air, cooler winds, and warm showers silently team up to mess with your healthy skin barrier.
And if you think your oily skin is safe in winter, think again — it can actually produce excess oil, clog pores, and break out just to keep things “interesting.”
That’s where a smart, winter skincare routine comes in. Not a 15-step “K-drama” routine, but a simple, effective plan that works for Indian skin tones and lifestyles.
Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, or acne prone skin, I’ve got you covered with doctor-approved tips that also feel doable.
Why Winter Can Feel Like an Attack on Your Face
Here’s the science (minus the boring jargon): Winter = low humidity + cold air + indoor heating → less moisture in your skin cell layers → dry, flaky, dull, or irritated skin.
Common winter side effects for Indian skin types:
Dry skin: Tight, flaky patches, sometimes itchy.
Oily skin: Tries to “help” by producing excess oil, leading to clogged pores and surprise pimples.
Sensitive skin: Gets red, itchy, or inflamed at the smallest trigger.
Acne prone skin: Breaks out when heavy creams or wrong care products block pores.
And here’s the kicker: Winter sun damage is still real. UVA rays — the ones that cause fine lines, pigmentation, and premature aging — are just as active now as in summer. Which means skipping sunscreen is a mistake you’ll only regret in a few years when the lines show up.
Skincare Routine By Type
Step-by-Step Winter Skincare Routine for All Indian Skin Types
Step-by-Step Winter Skincare Routine for All Indian Skin TypesForget complicated regimens. Here’s a winter skincare routine that is easy, effective, and designed for our Indian climate (and patience levels).
Step 1: Gentle Cleansing — Be Kind to Your Face
Think of your skin in winter like a silk saree. In summer, it can handle a good wash without fuss, but in winter, even a little extra harshness can make it fray.
That’s why your choice of cleanser matters more than you think.
In the hotter months, foaming cleansers feel refreshing — they cut through sweat and oil like a hot knife through butter. But in winter? They can strip away your skin’s natural oils so quickly, you’ll feel tighter than your old jeans after Diwali dinner.
Why Gentle Cleansing is Crucial in Winter
Winter air is dry — even in humid parts of India, cooler weather reduces moisture in the atmosphere. This means your skin is already losing hydration.
Over-cleansing doubles the damage — removing too many natural oils compromises your skin barrier, leading to flaky patches, irritation, and redness.
Pollution + Dryness = Sensitive skin — Indian cities in winter are notorious for higher pollution levels, so your skin is dealing with both environmental toxins and dryness.
Your Cleanser Should…
Remove dirt, oil, and pollution — to keep pores clear and skin fresh.
Maintain moisture while cleaning — so your skin feels soft and supple post-wash.
Support your skin barrier — rather than attacking it with harsh surfactants.
Ingredients to Look For
Aloe Vera — Naturally soothing and hydrating, perfect for calming winter redness.
Glycerin — A humectant that attracts water to your skin, keeping it plump.
Oat Extract — Rich in beta-glucan to reduce irritation and strengthen your skin barrier.
Honey — Natural antibacterial with moisture-locking properties.
Mild Surfactants like Coco Betaine — Cleans without stripping oils, ideal for sensitive and dry skin.
Ingredients to Avoid
High Alcohol Content — Dries out your skin faster than standing under a ceiling fan in January.
Strong Fragrance — Can irritate already-sensitive winter skin.
Harsh Sulphates (like SLS/SLES) — Strip oils aggressively, leaving skin tight and itchy.
Tip for Oily Skin in Winter:
Don’t overdo cleansing thinking it will control excess oil. In winter, scrubbing your face twice a day (or using harsh foaming cleansers) will actually backfire.
When you strip your skin’s oils, your sebaceous glands panic and produce even more oil — leaving you with a shiny and irritated face.
Step 2: Hydrating Toner or Mist — Prepping Your Skin Like a VIP Guest
Imagine this — you’ve invited a special guest (your skin) to dinner. You wouldn’t serve biryani without first offering a welcome drink, right?
That’s exactly what a hydrating toner or mist does for your skin — it refreshes, balances, and preps it so your moisturizer works like a five-star chef instead of a rushed roadside stall.
Why It’s Important in Winter
Winter air is like that nosy aunty who always takes away something from you — in this case, your skin’s moisture. After cleansing, your skin’s natural pH can become slightly imbalanced.
If you leave it like that, even the best moisturizer may not penetrate as effectively.
A hydrating toner or mist acts as a bridge between cleansing and moisturizing — it replenishes lost hydration, calms the skin, and makes it more receptive to whatever you apply next.
What to Look For
In winter, skip the alcohol-heavy, astringent toners (they’re great for controlling oil in summer, but in cold weather, they’re as drying as gossip in a WhatsApp group). Instead, opt for soothing, water-based hydration boosters:
Rose Water – Natural humectant, lightly balances pH, and gives that fresh floral feel.
Cucumber Mist – Cooling and refreshing, reduces puffiness, and hydrates tired skin.
Aloe Vera Sprays – Calming, moisturizing, and perfect for sensitive or redness-prone skin.
For Sensitive Skin Types
Floral waters can be soothing for many, but sensitive skin can be moody. Always do a patch test on your inner wrist or behind the ear. Wait for 24 hours to check for redness, itching, or irritation. If there’s no reaction, you’re good to go.
Pro Tip: In winter, keep your mist in a spray bottle and use it throughout the day whenever your skin feels tight or dry. Think of it as a mini spa session in the middle of your office meeting (just… maybe not during a Zoom call).
Step 3: Serum — The Winter Game-Changer
You know how adding a pinch of garam masala can completely change the taste of dal? That’s exactly what a serum does for your skincare routine.
It’s not the star attraction like your moisturizer, but without it, the magic just doesn’t hit the same.
Unlike creams that mostly work on the surface, serums have smaller molecules and a high concentration of active ingredients, so they can sneak deeper into your skin and actually work where the problem starts — at the cellular level. That’s why you see results faster.
Best serums for winter (and why they deserve a spot on your shelf):
Hyaluronic acid — Works like a magnet for moisture. Even if your skin feels as dry as papad left in the sun, this will pull in water and plump it up.
Vitamin E — The gentle caretaker. Calms irritation, repairs the skin barrier, and keeps your skin from cracking like overbaked pie crust.
Niacinamide — A multitasker. Controls oil, reduces dark marks, and soothes redness. For oily or acne-prone skin, this is a total jackpot.
Vitamin C — Your “winter sunshine” in a bottle. Brightens up dull skin and helps reverse the tan and pigmentation winter sun can cause.
Skin-type match:
Oily / acne-prone → Niacinamide is your best friend.
Dry / dehydrated → Hyaluronic acid + peptides will make your skin bounce back.
Combination → Use hyaluronic acid in the morning and niacinamide at night for balance.
Pro tip: Always apply serums on slightly damp skin (right after toner or mist). Think of it like adding sugar to warm chai — it blends better and works faster.
Step 4: Moisturizer — Your Winter Blanket
If summer creams are like cotton bedsheets, then winter moisturizers are your cozy, soft rajai. In the colder months, your skin loses water faster and your barrier becomes more vulnerable, so you need a richer formula that can lock in hydration and shield your skin from harsh winds and indoor heating.
Ingredients to fall in love with this season:
Shea butter – Deeply nourishing, perfect for repairing flaky patches.
Cocoa butter – Adds a protective layer and makes skin feel buttery smooth.
Squalane – Lightweight yet powerful, mimics your skin’s natural oils.
Ceramides – Strengthen your skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.
💡 Pro Tip: Always apply moisturizer on slightly damp skin (right after toner, serum, or a splash of water) to trap more hydration.
Skin type cheat sheet for winter moisturizers:
Oily skin: Choose lightweight gel creams with humectants like hyaluronic acid.
Dry skin: Thicker creams or ointment-style balms to hold in moisture.
Sensitive skin: Keep it minimal — fragrance-free and with short ingredient lists.
Step 5: Sunscreen — Winter’s Silent Hero
If you think sunscreen is only for the scorching summer, winter would like to have a word. Even on cloudy, chilly days, UVA rays are working overtime—quietly damaging your collagen, speeding up fine lines, and dulling your glow. And since winter often comes with thinner ozone protection in some regions, your skin may be even more exposed.
What to look for in your winter sunscreen:
Cream-based formula with SPF 30+ for both UVB and UVA protection.
Hydrating and non-greasy texture so it sits well over your moisturizer.
No white cast, especially if you have deeper skin tones.
💡 Pro Tip: Apply your sunscreen 20 minutes before stepping out, even if it’s just for your morning chai in the balcony. If you’re outdoors for more than 2–3 hours, reapply to keep that protection going strong.
In short—sunscreen in winter is like wearing a seatbelt in slow traffic. You might think nothing will happen, but you’ll be thankful you had it on.
Step 6: Lip & Hand TLC — Because Winter Doesn’t Spare the Small Stuff
Your face isn’t the only one facing the winter blues — your lips and hands quietly take the hit too.
Lips: Since lips have zero oil glands, they dry out faster than you can say “chapped.” At night, swipe on a thin layer of ghee, coconut oil, or almond oil (your dadi was right about this!). During the day, keep a hydrating lip balm handy — bonus points if it has SPF.
Hands: Constant washing + cold weather = rough, flaky hands. Slip a small hand cream into your bag or keep it by the sink, and reapply after every wash. Look for formulas with shea butter, glycerin, or vitamin E for lasting softness.
Mini tip: If your hands are extra dry, apply cream at night and wear cotton gloves to lock in the moisture
Weekly Add-ons to Boost Your Winter Skincare Routine
Winter skincare isn’t just about the daily cleanse-moisturize routine — think of it like a thali. Your basics are the roti, sabzi, and dal… but these weekly extras are like the pickle, papad, and dessert that take the meal from “okay” to “wah!”
1. Gentle Exfoliation — Out with the Old, In with the Glow
In winter, dead skin cells pile up like uninvited guests at a wedding — making your skin look dull, uneven, and tired. But scrubbing every day? Arre, that’s like sweeping the floor till it starts wearing out!
Oily skin: Use a mild salicylic acid once a week. It’ll keep pores clear without turning you into a peeling tomato.
Dry or sensitive skin: Go for lactic acid or a super gentle scrub. The idea is to coax the skin into renewal, not bully it.
Pro tip: Always moisturize immediately after exfoliation — your skin is like an empty sponge, ready to soak up all that goodness.
2. Hydrating Face Masks — Your Skin’s Midweek Spa Date
Think of masks as a tall glass of water for your face. They drench your skin in moisture and make it plump again.
DIY options:
Dry skin: Milk + honey → creamy, softening, and smells divine.
Sensitive skin: Aloe vera + a pinch of turmeric → soothing, calming, and grandma-approved.
Store-bought:
Look for sheet masks with hyaluronic acid or ceramides. These are like instant recharge stations for parched skin.
3. Overnight Treatments — While You Sleep, They Work
Nighttime is when your skin goes into repair mode — think of it as a night shift crew fixing the roads while the city sleeps. Adding an oil or treatment before bed means you wake up to skin that’s soft, smooth, and visibly happier.
Try:
Almond oil → boosts radiance and fights winter dullness.
Jojoba oil → balances oil production and feels light.
Argan oil → deep hydration without greasiness.
Massage in a few drops and let the magic happen while you dream.
4. Diet & Lifestyle Tips — Skincare Starts from the Kitchen
No cream can work if your skin’s starving from the inside. Winter is the perfect season to nourish your body along with your face.
Eat healthy fats: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, a little ghee — all give your skin that “natural moisturized” look.
Stay hydrated: If cold water feels like punishment, sip on warm herbal teas or infused warm water.
Avoid boiling-hot showers: Yes, they feel heavenly, but they strip away natural oils faster than you can say “dry skin.”
Dress smart: Wear breathable fabrics and avoid itchy wool directly on your skin. Layer with cotton underneath for comfort.
Winter Care Tips for Different Skin Types
Quick, friendly guidance to keep your skin nourished this winter — tailored to common Indian skin types.
| Skin Type | Winter Focus | Recommended Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Oily skin | Hydrate without clogging pores |
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid |
| Dry skin | Deep nourishment |
Shea Butter
Squalane
Ceramides |
| Combination skin | Balance zones |
Gel cream for T-zone
Rich cream for cheeks |
| Sensitive skin | Barrier repair |
Aloe Vera
Oat Extract |
Tip: Use ingredients suited to your skin type and always patch test new products. For personalised help, consult with a dermatologist or Dr Sufi's Wellness team.
Explore Winter EssentialsCommon Winter Skincare Mistakes to Avoid
1. Skipping sunscreen
Many people think sunscreen is only for beach days and summer afternoons. In reality, winter sun can be equally harmful, especially with UV rays bouncing off fog, mist, or even snow in hilly areas. Skipping SPF allows UVA rays to speed up ageing, cause pigmentation, and weaken your skin barrier. Even on cloudy winter mornings, a broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable — your skin will thank you later.
2. Using summer products year-round
Light gel moisturizers and mattifying cleansers may work in May, but in January, they can strip away essential oils, leaving your skin tight and flaky. Winter air already has less humidity, so your skin needs richer, more nourishing products that lock in moisture — think creams with shea butter, ceramides, or squalane. Switching your routine with the seasons is like changing clothes for the weather — necessary for comfort and protection.
3. Over-washing to remove dirt and oil
It’s tempting to wash your face often in winter to get rid of oiliness or pollution residue, but overwashing can strip your natural oils and worsen dryness. If you notice that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling, that’s actually a warning sign your skin barrier is compromised. Limit face washing to twice a day, use lukewarm water instead of hot, and choose a gentle, hydrating cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight.
4. Ignoring body care (elbows, knees, feet)
While most people focus on the face, the rest of the body often suffers silently — dry elbows, cracked heels, and rough knees are winter regulars. These areas have fewer oil glands and lose moisture faster. Applying a rich body butter or oil after your bath, paying special attention to these spots, can prevent that ‘white patchy dryness’ we all dread in colder months.
Final Words from Dr Sufi
Winter doesn’t have to mean dry cheeks, chapped lips, and dull selfies. With the right winter skincare routine, chosen according to your skin type, you can protect your skin, keep it hydrated, and glow naturally — even when the air feels like it’s stealing all your moisture.
Remember, your skin is like that loyal friend who sticks with you through thick and thin. Treat it with gentle care products, protect it from sun damage, and feed it from the inside out — and it will stay healthy season after season.
