Winter can impact your skin health if you don't take action. Dry air and cold temperatures can deprive your skin of the moisture it deserves, leaving it dry, tight, and inflamed. And if you've got sensitive skin, you already know the hell that winter weather can bring. So what do you do?

You fight back with winter skincare products and a routine that works.

This is your guide to the best skin products for winter. No toxic fluff. No synthetic gimmicks. Just the good stuff: science-backed, skin-loving ingredients that keep your skin healthy and thriving.

Healthy Skin and Skincare Products

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It's a living barrier that protects you from toxins, pathogens, and injury. Healthy skin has the following qualities: defence, protection, and function. If you don't take care of your skin, particularly during winter, this will stop it from performing as it should.

What Makes Skin Healthy in Winter?

• A balanced moisture level (not too dry or oily)
• Skin barrier with no cracks or rawness
• Even tone and texture, free from peeling or inflammation
• Calm, soothed skin
• Absence of irritation or reactivity

Winter weather prevents all of that.

Here’s where skincare products come in, and why choosing the right ones matters.

The Best Skin Product Types for Winter

During winter, the cold weather attacks your moisture barrier, and your skin starts to overwork itself or break down completely. However, winter skincare isn't about adding more products. It's using the right ones. Here's what your routine needs:

1. Richer Moisturizer

Your skin needs a moisturizer that does more than sit on the surface of your skin. 

We recommend a moisturizer with beef tallow, a skin-loving fat that’s similar to your skin's natural sebum and penetrates without clogging pores. When you combine it with ceramides and essential fatty acids, it restores the lipid barrier and locks in moisture.

For the best results, use a high-quality product like the Evil Goods balm, made with whipped beef tallow and manuka honey. Fast absorbing. Toxin-free. Get body-safe nutrition for dry and sensitive skin alike.

2. Hydrating Cleanser

Harsh cleansers strip your skin of the natural oils it needs during winter. Use a cleanser that's formulated without sulfates, parabens, or synthetic fragrances. Instead, go for one that includes soothing ingredients like aloe vera, oat extract, or glycerin.

3. Toner

If you usually use a toner after cleansing, buy one formulated with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and rose water to calm, hydrate, and prepare your skin for the next step. Apply it to damp skin for fast absorption.

4. Creams and Balms

Creams that are made with beeswax, lanolin, or petrolatum form a protective layer on the skin. The moisture barrier locks in moisture and shields your skin from indoor heat, windburn, and low humidity.

Balms, on the other hand, should be rich in non-comedogenic oils and emollients like argan oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, and almond oil that soothe sensitive and dry skin without clogging pores. Apply them at night as part of your winter skincare routine. You can rub them on stress areas like cheeks, elbows, and around the nose.

5. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is important during winter as it is during summer. Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Choose a formula that includes antioxidants and moisturizing agents so you’re getting sun protection and skin barrier support in one. Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are great for sensitive and extremely dry skin types.

Ingredients to Look for in Winter Skincare

Don’t fall for synthetic compounds. Focus on natural ingredients that feed your skin and repair the damage caused by cold weather.

• Beef Tallow: Is rich in Vitamin A, D, E, and K. It's similar to your skin's natural sebum, absorbs fast, doesn’t clog pores, and delivers body-safe nutrition. It's suitable for all skin types (including dry and sensitive skin), and you can use it as a daily facial moisturizer, body lotion, or lip balm. Our Evil Goods balm is made with whipped beef tallow and Manuka honey. It will even soften dry skin areas like elbows, hands, and feet.
• Hyaluronic Acid: This is a naturally occurring substance in the body, known for its ability to retain moisture and provide cushioning and lubrication to joints and tissues. It's a necessary ingredient in skincare products like moisturizers and serums, and it's also used in medical treatments for various conditions.
• Ceramides: These are fats or lipids found in skin that help in maintaining the skin's barrier function and hydration. Ceramides are important for retaining your skin's moisture and preventing germs from getting into your body. You can find this ingredient in skincare products like moisturizers, serums, and cleansers.
• Glycerin: This is a common skincare ingredient known for its moisturizing and hydrating properties. It's a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air and deeper layers of the skin to the surface, helping to keep skin hydrated and supple. It’s ideal for various skin types, including dry, oily, and sensitive skin.
• Shea Butter: Shea butter is a natural ingredient for skincare due to its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. It can help with a variety of skin conditions, including dryness, eczema, and even minor wounds. It also contains vitamins and fatty acids that can help protect and nourish the skin. It's perfect for dry and sensitive skin
• Squalane: A non-comedogenic oil that strengthens your skin barrier and improves skin texture.
• Petroleum Jelly: A simple, occlusive ingredient that dermatologists recommend for sealing in moisture, particularly on areas prone to cracking, like knuckles and heels.

Why Most Products Fail

Most drugstore lotions and creams are loaded with toxic chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and seed oils that cause irritation, breakouts, and long-term damage. They offer false hydration while breaking down your skin barrier from the outside.

Skip the gimmicks and toxins. Go for body-safe nutrition that feeds your skin, not destroys it.

The Benefits of Using Skin Products During Winter

1. Restores the Skin Barrier: The outermost layer of your skin is your first point of defense against bacteria, pollutants, and moisture loss. Cold air, low humidity, and indoor heating tear down your skin barrier. Products rich in ceramides, fatty acids, and beef tallow help rebuild that barrier, keeping your skin resilient and protected.
2. Locks in Moisture: In winter, your skin loses water faster. A good moisturizer, toner, or balm draws moisture in with humectants like hyaluronic acid, and seals it with petroleum jelly or squalane. This results in a hydrated skin that doesn't break out, crack, or scream for help.
3. Soothes Sensitive and Irritated Skin: Sensitive skin gets triggered easily during winter. Redness, inflammation, and breakouts are signs of a compromised skin moisture barrier. Using products with gentle, fragrance-free, skin-loving ingredients like beef tallow, glycerin, and shea butter can reduce flare-ups and restore balance to your barrier.
4. Prevents Premature Aging: Winter increases signs of aging. Collagen breaks down faster in cold, dry environments, particularly when your skin lacks moisture and sun protection. Products rich in moisture improve skin texture, firmness, and tone, and using sunscreen daily, even in cloudy conditions, will protect you against UV rays.
5. Delivers Nutrients Your Skin Needs: Tallow-based products deliver fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K directly to your cells, which support healing, regeneration, and healthy skin function. This gives your skin hydration and nutrition.
6. Gives You That Winter Glow: Your skin doesn't have to be dull. With the right winter skincare routine, it can stay smooth and radiant. Hydrated, nourished skin holds makeup longer and looks better.

Tips for Winter Skincare

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking water supports your overall health and helps your skin retain moisture from within. Aim to stay hydrated throughout the day, particularly if you're exposed to indoor heating, alcohol, or caffeine, all of which pull water from your system. Think of it as building resilience against external dryness.
• Use a Humidifier: A humidifier restores balance, rehydrating the air, especially overnight. Put one in your bedroom and let it work while you sleep.
• Moisturize While Damp: Moisturize within 60 seconds of washing, when your skin is still damp. This creates a seal that locks in moisture and strengthens your skin's moisture barrier. Use a moisturizer with occlusive and emollient ingredients like beef tallow, glycerin, or shea butter.
• Avoid Hot Water: While hot water may feel soothing, prolonged or frequent exposure to hot water can be dangerous to your skin, leading to dryness, irritation, compromised lipid barrier function, and potential worsening of skin conditions like eczema. Use lukewarm water for both your face and body.
• Patch Test New Products: Your sensitive skin is even more reactive in winter. Before selecting a new cream, serum, or lip balm, do a patch test. Apply a small amount to your inner forearm or behind the ear. Wait 24 hours. If your skin stays calm, you can use the product. If you see redness, bumps, or irritation, throw it out.
• Layer Your Products (The Right Way): Layering is important in the winter. All products work in tandem to get the job done. Cleanse your skin first, then apply products from the thinnest to the thickest consistency, and make sure you always finish with sunscreen in the morning and a moisturizer at night.
• Don’t Skip Sunscreen: Cloudy doesn’t mean safe. Up to 80% of UV rays can still reach your skin on snowy days. And snow reflects UV rays onto your face, doubling the exposure. Use sunscreen every morning, even during winter. It’s a non-negotiable if you care about healthy skin and want to prevent premature aging, pigmentation, and stop your protective layer from breaking down.

Winter Skincare Routine

Morning Routine:

• Wash your face with a gentle, hydrating cleanser
• Apply a hydrating toner
• Use a hyaluronate serum
• Lock the previous products in with a richer moisturizer
• Finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen

Evening Routine:

• Cleanse with a gentle wash
• Apply hydrating toner
• Use targeted treatments (retinoids, if your skin accepts them)
• Apply a night cream or balm
• Use petroleum jelly or a beef tallow balm on dry spots

Changing Seasons, Changing Skin Products

Skin care is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it sure isn’t one-season-fits-all. As temperatures drop and humidity levels change, your skin type changes too. Oil production slows down. You lose moisture faster. Products that worked in summer can now lead to irritation or dull skin.

Adapt. Replace gels with creams. Swap lightweight lotions for thicker balms. Layer your skincare products with intention. Use a toner, then lock in moisture with a rich moisturizer. This shift protects your skin’s moisture barrier through the colder months.

Don’t Forget About Your Lips!

Your lips don’t have oil glands. That means zero natural protection against dry air, wind, and indoor heating. You need a lip balm that works. Avoid synthetic fragrances and seed oils, as they irritate and dry out the lips further. Instead, use a natural, organic formula packed with skin-loving fats.

The Evil Goods lip balm is your winter essential. Made with tallow, honey, and zero toxins. Keeps your lips moisturized, soft, and protected against the elements.

Evil Goods!

Manuka Honey & Tallow Balm

5 out of 5 stars

Shop Now

FAQs About Skin Products for Winter

How Do I Keep My Skin Hydrated During Winter?

Hydrate from the inside and out. Drink water. Use a humidifier. Apply hydrating skincare products like hyaluronic acid and lock them in with occlusive creams or balms (like the Evil Goods balm). Moisturize while your skin is still damp.

How Do I Get Glowing Skin in Winter for Dry Skin?

Exfoliate gently to remove dead skin cells, use products rich in hydration, and apply moisturizing balms that strengthen the moisture barrier. Avoid irritating synthetic fragrances and focus on gentle, skin-loving formulas.

What is The Most Hydrating Product for Skin?

A combination of hyaluronic acid and occlusive agents (like beef tallow, squalane) gives you the hydration you need. Look for products that restore moisture and protect the skin’s barrier. Try our Evil Goods balm made with beef tallow and manuka honey for effective results.

Final Thoughts on Winter Skincare

Winter skincare isn’t optional if you care about healthy skin. It’s essential. Dry winter skin, dull skin, irritated lips, and a compromised lipid barrier aren’t annoying. They’re a sign that your skincare routine needs an upgrade.

Choose products that deliver body-safe nutrition without the toxic BS. Feed your skin the good stuff, like beef tallow-rich balms and moisture-locking creams. Stay ahead of the cold weather. Moisturize smart. Protect your glow.

Dr. Elena Dinkollari

MD, Dermatologist & Endocrinology Assistant

Doctor Approved