10 Simple Ways to Hydrate Dry Skin This Winter at Home

Winter often brings dry, flaky skin that feel can feel tight and uncomfortable. If you’ve been wondering how to fix dry skin and get that healthy, hydrated glow back, you’re not alone. Cold air, indoor heating, and harsh skincare routines can strip your skin’s moisture barrier, leaving it vulnerable and prone to redness and irritation. The good news is you don’t need expensive treatments or complicated routines to improve your skin’s hydration. With a few simple changes and some thoughtful care, you can restore moisture and comfort right at home.

Here are 10 simple, easy-to-follow winter skin tips that help you get hydrated skin at home.

1. Skip Hot Showers and Use Lukewarm Water on Your Skin

Hot water feels great in cold weather but it strips your skin of natural oils, worsening dryness. Instead, wash your face with lukewarm water. This temperature cleanses without damaging your skin’s moisture barrier. When showering, keep your face out of direct hot water streams to avoid dehydration.

2. Hydrate Dry Skin by Applying a Face Mask or Creamy Cleanser Before Showering

A hydrating face mask or creamy cleanser can protect your skin from overheating and losing moisture during your shower. Apply it before you step in and leave it on while you shower. This creates a moisture shield that prevents water loss and keeps your skin soft. Look for products rich in ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid.

3. Use Clean Skin Club Towels to Pat Your Face Dry

Regular hand or bath towels can be rough and irritating, especially on dry winter skin, not to mention they can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Instead, use sanitary, soft towels designed for delicate facial skin, like Clean Skin Club towels. They reduce friction and help prevent irritation and flakiness when drying your face.

4. Incorporate a Hydrating Serum into Your Skincare Routine

Serums with hydrating ingredients penetrate deeply and boost skin's moisture levels. Two of our favorites are HydraRemedy by Face Reality (lightweight hydration that's super affordable) and Restorative HA Serum by Hydrinity (basically an IV for your face). These serums contain hyaluronic acid and other skin-loving ingredients that attract and hold water in your skin cells, helping you get hydrated skin faster.

5. Choose a Gentle Moisturizer That Repairs Your Skin’s Barrier

A moisturizer that supports your skin’s moisture barrier is key to long-lasting hydration. Some excellent options include:

• Barrier Care Gel Cream by Face Reality (best for acne-prone skin & budget friendly)

• Trio Rebalancing Moisturizer by Skinbetter Science (great for normal to oily skin types to moisturize without being too heavy)

• Hydri-C Daily Vitamin C Moisturizer by Hydrinity (ideal for normal to dry skin types & revives dull complexions)

  
  

These products help repair damage caused by winter dryness and lock in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy.

6. Use an Occlusive Balm as the Last Step in Your Nighttime Routine

Occlusive balms create a protective layer on your skin to seal in hydration overnight. This step is especially helpful if you struggle with dry or flaky skin. Our go-to pick (and client favorite) is antioxidant-packed An-Balm by ANFISA Skin. Apply it as the final step in your PM skincare to prevent moisture loss, reduce redness, and soothe dry patches.

7. Run a Humidifier in Your Bedroom

Indoor heating dries out the air, which can steal moisture from your skin fast. Using a humidifier adds moisture back into the environment, helping your skin stay hydrated while you sleep. Make sure to clean your humidifier regularly to avoid bacteria buildup.

8. Exfoliate Gently with Enzyme Serums

Exfoliation is key for removing dead skin cells that can make dry skin look dull and flaky. But scrubs can be too harsh in winter when skin is already prone to irritation. Instead, try using a gentle enzyme serum like:

• An-Dew 10% Azelaic Acid Serum by ANFISA Skin

• GlowTone Corrective Serum by Face Reality

  
  

These products exfoliate without damaging your skin’s barrier, helping you maintain smooth, hydrated skin.

9. Boost Hydration from the Inside with Your Diet

What you eat affects your skin’s hydration. Add broth-based soups, herbal teas, and water-rich fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, berries, and oranges to your meals. Drinking water with electrolytes also supports hydration at the cellular level. This approach complements your topical skincare routine and helps you hydrate dry skin from within.

10. Prioritize Good Sleep and Limit Blue Light Exposure

Sleep is when your skin repairs itself. Poor sleep or too much blue light from screens can reduce aquaporins, the water channels in your skin cells that pull in hydration. Try reading a physical book before bed instead of scrolling on your phone. This simple change supports your skin’s natural hydration process and overall health.

If you're interested in addressing dryness and dehydration at an even deeper level, learn more about how Hydrafacials help moisturize and repair for healthy, glowing skin.