Winter can be tough on skin. Cold outdoor air, dry indoor heat, and lower humidity all work against your skin’s natural moisture levels. The result? Skin that feels tight, looks dull, or even flakes and cracks.
The good news is that you don’t have to settle for painful winter skin. By knowing how to properly layer skincare in winter, you can keep your skin hydrated and balanced all winter long. Using the right products in the right order also means you can avoid piling on heavy products that leave your skin feeling greasy or clogged.
In this article, you’ll learn more about the importance of layering skincare in winter. You’ll also get our recommended winter skincare layering routine (with product recs!), plus tips for protecting skin all winter long.
Why Layering Matters in a Winter Skincare Routine
Your skin has a built-in protective layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. In winter, that layer—called the skin barrier—can weaken, allowing hydration to escape more easily.
A well-layered skincare routine in winter is important because it adds much-needed moisture back into the skin. It also strengthens the skin’s natural protective barrier so it can do its job more effectively and keep skin feeling hydrated for longer.
Tips for Winter Skincare Layering
When it comes to layering skincare, order matters more than quantity. Using more products does not automatically mean better results. But when products are layered correctly, they work together to support your skin barrier and achieve maximum results.
Here are a few other things to remember about layering:
-
Apply thinnest to thickest. Start with lighter products, like toners, and finish with thicker products, like moisturizers.
-
Apply water-based products before oil-based products. Oil-based products work to seal in moisture, so be sure to apply them after you’ve hydrated with water-based products.
-
Pause between layers. For the best results, give each product 30–60 seconds to absorb before applying the next product.
An Ideal Winter Skincare Layering Routine
Ready to try skincare layering? This cold weather skincare routine is designed to hydrate, protect, and support your skin barrier without that greasy feeling.
- Gently cleanse skin using our 2-in-1 Milk Froth Cleansing Gel & Makeup Remover.
- Apply our Milk Shake Facial Toner Mist to instantly tone, hydrate, and boost your skin barrier.
- Give skin an extra dose of moisture and key nutrients with a few drop of our Milk Drops Ceramide Serum.
- Apply our Mushroom Milk Better Aging Eye Cream, specially formulated to hydrate and treat the sensitive skin around the eyes.
- Lock in moisture for 24-hour hydration with our Milk RX Advanced Better Aging Cream.
- Finish by applying our Solar Milk SPF 50 Sunscreen, designed to protect, prime, and provide better-aging benefits—without that greasy feeling.
How to Layer Skincare in Winter Without Getting Greasy
When faced with dry, irritated winter skin, many people think more is better. But too much product can easily lead to greasy skin and clogged pores—without actually hydrating.
Following a layering skincare routine in winter can help avoid unnecessary greasiness. Here are a few other things to keep in mind:
-
Choose lightweight formulas. Water-based products that use natural ingredients tend to hydrate effectively without clogging pores. We prefer goat milk because it shares a pH similar to human skin, meaning skin absorbs it more easily.
-
Use less than you think you need. Effective layering comes down to the order of the products—not volume. Small amounts of high-quality products often work better than thick applications.
-
Respect the process. When layering skincare, remember that each step is meant to support the step before it. Give the products time to absorb before moving on to the next layer and you’re likely to see better results sooner.
Bonus Tips for a Smarter Winter Skincare Routine
Whether you’re following a layering routine or not, these tips will help you make the most of your winter skincare routine:
-
Adjust products for your skin type. Not all products work well for every skin type. Oily or combination skin may prefer lighter products, whereas dry skin might respond better to slightly heavier products.
-
Go richer at night and lighter in the morning. Your skin does most of its repair work while you sleep. You can support this repair process by applying richer products at night. In the morning, apply lighter products for all-day hydration and comfort.
-
Stay consistent—especially while traveling. Cold air and dry environments can throw skin off quickly. Travel-sized essentials make it easier to stick with your routine, even when you’re far from home.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to layer skincare in winter doesn’t mean overloading your skin with heavy products that leave skin feeling greasy. When you focus on layering the right products in the right order, you can keep your skin feeling hydrated and balanced all winter long.