Beauty Pros and Derms Reveal Their Go-To Fixes for Winter-Ravaged Skin

A Letter from the Editor

Welcome to our Winter Beauty Digital Issue. Whether the season means bundling up to brave the chill or cozying up indoors, winter calls for a beauty routine that works overtime. If you’re like me, you know that colder months bring a whole new set of challenges — think dry skin, chapped lips and hair that just won’t behave. And this year, I’m feeling it more than ever — my skin has never felt itchier and my lips have never felt more chapped!

Jillian Sollazzo

That’s why we turned to top dermatologists, hair pros and makeup artists for expert solutions to keep you glowing all season. And last week, when I was in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, I got to see firsthand some of the standout solutions they’re recommending: ultra-hydrating skincare, makeup that won’t budge in blustery weather and nourishing hair treatments that combat winter dryness. Our Beauty Lab experts have been busy testing everything you need to keep your routine on point no matter how low the temps drop. So grab your favorite warm drink, settle in and get ready to discover your most rejuvenating winter beauty must-haves. Let’s get started!

Jane Francisco,
Editor in Chief

Table of Contents

Baby Your Body | Protect Your Face | Soothe Your Hands & Feet

Meet the Experts

Treat Your BODY

Dry and itchy skin is common at this time of year, and existing conditions like
eczema, psoriasis and keratosis pilaris can worsen.

Experts Say: Applying body moisturizer regularly (not just when you notice dryness) is key for preventing dry skin; reapply it a few times per day if needed, says Janiene Luke, M.D., a clinical professor at Loma Linda University Department of Dermatology in Loma Linda, CA. (Choose a thicker moisturizing cream rather than a lotion, advises Maya K. Thosani, M.D., a dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.) To avoid dehydrating your skin, take lukewarm showers instead of hot ones, recommends Nicole Y. Lee, M.D., owner of Epoch Dermatology in Garden City, NY.

Treat Your SCALP

Indoor heating, colder temperatures, dry air and overwashing can lead to a dry scalp or worsening of dandruff, says Dr. Luke.

Experts Say: Combat scalp flaking with a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo containing an active ingredient such as zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide, Dr. Thosani recommends. Moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, serums and hair oils can also help hydrate dry scalp skin, Dr. Luke says. “Massage these into the scalp to help nourish and moisturize skin,” she advises.

Is Ectoin the Skin Protector of the Future?

An amino acid derived from bacteria, ectoin is being touted as a next-gen skin hydrator, and for good reason: In studies, it’s been proven to strengthen skin’s barrier, maintain hydration, treat crow’s feet, deliver antipollution benefits and more, GH Beauty Lab Analyst Chiara Butler says.

Ectoin even works on sensitive skin: Multiple clinical studies have shown ectoin-based creams to be safe and effective treatments for conditions involving a compromised skin barrier such as atopic dermatitis, Butler adds. Though it’s ideal for “dry, dehydrated, red and irritated or sensitive skin,” any skin type can benefit from the hydrating perks of ectoin, she says. Look for it in water-based products such as moisturizers, serums, cleansers and even sunscreens.

GH Beauty Lab Ectoin Picks

Repair Serum

Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum

Overnight

biossance Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue Deep Repair Night Cream

Cleanser

Skinfix Skinfix barrier+ Ceramide + Ectoin Hydrating Gentle Gel Cleanser

Treat Your FACE

This season, dryness, flaking and redness occur due to “weather changes that can dehydrate skin,” says Dr. Thosani. As temps cool and humidity goes down, skin “is prone to cracking and irritation,” she notes.

Experts say: To rehydrate skin and reinforce its barrier, switch to a rich face moisturizer at night, or try double moisturizing (use a hydrating serum and then a cream or apply moisturizer twice, waiting for it to soak in), Dr. Thosani suggests. Use gentle cleansers to avoid stripping skin’s natural oils, Dr. Lee says.

Treat Your LIPS

You can suffer from parched, flaky and cracked lips in any season, but this issue is especially prevalent during the winter months. Because lip skin is thin and has fewer oil glands, it’s more prone to damage from exposure to the elements.

Experts Say: Replace lipsticks and other lip makeup with healing ointments and reapply them throughout the day, Dr. Thosani suggests. (Many lip treatments now come tinted as well.) Avoid licking your lips; though it may give instant relief, “enzymes in saliva break down skin, further drying out lips,” Dr. Lee says.

Treat Your EYES

In the winter, periorbital dermatitis (eye area skin irritation) and eyelid eczema can flare up and seborrheic dermatitis can cause flaking skin around the brows.

Experts Say: Give the skin around your eyes TLC, as it’s especially thin, Dr. Thosani says. Opt for an oil-based makeup remover or cleanser, which “dissolves makeup more gently, with less irritation,” Dr. Lee notes. After cleansing and moisturizing, “apply a thin coat of an ointment around eyes to help heal skin and restore moisture,” Dr. Thosani advises.

GH Beauty Lab Hydrating Picks

For Face

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Now 25% Off

For Face

Mary Kay Hydrating Cleanser

For Lips

Vaseline Lip Therapy Lip Balm Tin Original

For Eyes

CLINIQUE Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover

For Eyes

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Q: Is my skin dry or dehydrated?

Dr. Nicole Y. Lee & Dr. Maya Thosani

A: Here’s a quick way to find out: “Pinch a small amount of skin on your cheek or the back of your hand for a few seconds, then release,” Dr. Thosani says. “If it takes a few moments for skin to bounce back, you’re likely dehydrated.” If it snaps back immediately, you may be dealing with dry skin.

How to Heal Dry Skin

Dry skin occurs when skin does not produce sufficient natural oils, Dr. Thosani explains. This means skin can’t properly prevent loss of water, “leaving the barrier compromised and unable to retain moisture,” Dr. Lee says. Treat dry skin by using “moisturizers that contain ingredients like ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which improve skin hydration by drawing in water, preventing moisture loss,” Dr. Thosani advises. (Try GH Beauty Lab test winner CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion.)

How to Prevent Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin is typically a result of “a temporary reduction in skin’s water content from external factors such as weather, poor body hydration levels and illness,” Dr. Lee says. “Drinking more water and consuming produce with a high water content will often help dehydrated skin.”

Treat Your HANDS

The main culprits behind sometimes painfully dry, cracked hands this season: hand sanitizers and frequent washing with harsh soaps. Both can be dehydrating.

Experts Say: Though it’s tempting to use them to ward off germs, antibacterial hand soaps “aren’t necessary as long as hands are thoroughly washed,” Dr. Lee says. Pick a soothing soap, avoiding potentially drying or irritating ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate and fragrance. Follow up with hand cream multiple times per day, ideally after each washing. “Keep it on or by you so you’ll remember to reapply it,” Dr. Thosani says.

Treat Your FEET

Derms see a rise in athlete’s foot (due to sweating in boots and socks) as well as dry feet and heels (from cold, dry air) in the winter.

Experts Say: To mitigate athlete’s foot, “wear breathable socks, and change them if they become wet,” Dr. Lee says. Treat dryness by “applying moisturizer on each foot followed by socks to help seal in moisture and allow for better penetration of the ingredients,” Dr. Luke advises.

More GH Beauty Lab Picks

For Body

Eucerin Intensive Repair Essential Oil Balm

For Scalp

Head & Shoulders Bare Anti Dandruff Pure Clean Shampoo

For Hands

Curel Extreme Dry Hand Relief

Now 11% Off

For Feet

Dr. Scholl’s Severe Cracked Heel Repair Restoring Balm

Francisco: Jillian Sollazzo. GH staff headshots: Mike Garten. Luke: Krystle Thomas. Thosani: Jennifer Bowen.

Original Photography: Mike Garten; Makeup by Emma Elizabeth for Honey Artists; Hair by Charles McNair for See Management using R+Co; Prop styling by Alex Mata. Video Loops: Danielle Carson.

Editor in Chief & Director, Hearst Lifestyle Group Jane Francisco
Group Creative Director Melissa Geurts
Executive Editor Beth Dreher
Deputy Design Director Betsy Farrell
Associate Art Director Danielle Carson

Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Director Sabina Wizeman; Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek; Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler; Senior Style & Beauty Director April Franzino; Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn; Lead Photographer Mike Garten; Editorial Stylist Alex Mata; Visual Editor Sara Neumann; Copy Chief Benay R. Bubar; Senior Research Editor Clare Ellis

Catharine (she/her) is the former beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.