You leave home with skin that feels fine. By the time you’ve walked to the bus stop and spent a few hours in a heated office, your cheeks feel tight. That evening, you notice dry patches around your nose that weren’t there last week. protect your skin barrier in a Canadian winter starts with a few changes you can make before those dry patches show up. Turn down the water temperature when you wash your face, put on moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp, and cover up when you’ll be out in the wind. If your summer moisturizer still feels good, keep it. If your cheeks feel tight again by lunch, start by changing what you use on your cheeks. Why Canadian Winters Can Leave Your Skin Feeling Tight Your skin barrier is the outermost part of your skin. One of its jobs is to slow water loss. Cold outdoor air and dry indoor heating can make it harder for skin to stay comfortable, especially if you’re also taking long, hot showers or using a cleanser that leaves your face feeling tight. American Academy of Dermatology winter skin guide Think about where you spend most of your day. If you’re waiting outside for a streetcar in Toronto, a scarf may make more difference to how your cheeks feel than another serum. If you work from home and sit next to a heating vent, your face might feel dry even on days you barely go outside. Start with the part of your day when you first notice the tightness. 1. Wash With Lukewarm Water A hot shower feels good after shovelling snow. If your face feels tight afterward, try washing it separately at the sink with lukewarm water. In the evening, use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to remove sunscreen, makeup and the day’s buildup. Pat your face with a soft towel and leave it slightly damp. Pay attention to how your skin feels between rinsing and moisturizing. If you’re reaching for your cream because your face already feels tight, look at the water temperature and your cleanser before adding another step. 2. Put On Moisturizer Before Your Skin Fully Dries Keep your moisturizer beside the sink so you can use it right after washing. Applying it to slightly damp skin helps hold on to some of the water already there. If you usually wash your face and then walk away to get dressed, switching the order costs nothing and gives you one change to try before replacing your products. Let the way your skin feels guide the texture you choose. If a light lotion keeps your face comfortable, it can stay in your winter routine. If your cheeks feel rough by the afternoon, try a richer cream there, especially at night. You can still use a lighter layer on your nose and forehead if those areas tend to get shiny. A Korean Moisturizer to Consider for Dry Areas ILLIYOON Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream is a fragrance-free option if you’re looking for a thicker cream for winter. It contains glycerin, ceramides and dimethicone. Try a small amount where you notice dryness first, such as your cheeks or jawline, and see how the texture feels before using it all over. View ILLIYOON Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream at KoreanShop If your hands and legs get dry too, the same texture question applies. A lotion may be easier to spread after a shower, while a cream can be handy for the areas that still feel rough later. Read our guide to body lotion and body cream in winter 3. Cover Up When the Wind Picks Up On a windy morning, pull up a soft scarf or neck warmer before you head out. If your wool scarf scratches your chin, choose one with a softer lining or wear a smooth layer underneath. Gloves help protect your hands from cold, dry air, and a plain lip balm can help with dry lips. Think about the days you spend longer outside than usual, too. Health Canada recommends protect your skin barrier in winter because snow can reflect UV rays. For a ski day, a long walk or an afternoon at an outdoor rink, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin and follow the label’s reapplication directions. Health Canada sunscreen guidance 4. Give Your Skin a Break From Exfoliation When It Feels Irritated It’s tempting to reach for an exfoliating pad when foundation starts catching on a flaky patch. If that area also feels tight or stings when you wash it, set aside scrubs and exfoliating acids for now. Stick with products you already tolerate and give the area a break from rubbing. If several products suddenly sting or the dryness keeps coming back, our guide to a damaged skin barrier walks through what to look for and how to simplify your routine. Speak with a healthcare professional if irritation persists, worsens, or comes with painful cracks or a rash. Read how to care for a damaged skin barrier 5. Pay Attention to the Air Indoors If you wake up with dry lips and tight cheeks most mornings, pay attention to how dry the bedroom feels overnight. If the room is dry, a humidifier can add moisture to the air. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and adjust the setting if you see condensation on the windows. For protect your skin barrier There’s also an easy fix for dry hands. Put a tube of hand cream by the sink you use most, and apply it after washing. That’s easier to remember than waiting until bedtime, especially if you wash dishes or wash your hands often. A Simple Morning and Night Routine for Canadian Winters Morning. Wash gently with lukewarm water, then moisturize where your skin tends to feel dry. Apply sunscreen to exposed skin before heading outdoors, and grab a scarf and gloves on windy days. Evening. Remove makeup and sunscreen with a gentle cleanser, then moisturize while your skin is still