The Key to Flawless Makeup: Why Hydrated Skin is Essential for Acne-Prone Combination Skin

Hydration Tips for Winter: Keep Your Skin Glowing and Healthy

Winter can be harsh on our skin, especially for those with acne-prone combination skin. Cold weather, indoor heating, and dry air can strip moisture, leaving the skin dehydrated, flaky, and more prone to breakouts. But with a few tweaks to your skincare routine, you can maintain soft, hydrated, and balanced skin throughout the season.

In this post, I’ll share my top winter skincare tips to stay hydrated, along with product recommendations to help your skin thrive no matter how chilly it gets!


Winter Hydration Tips for Healthy, Makeup-Ready Skin

1. Switch to Hydrating Cleansers

Foaming cleansers can be drying, especially in winter. Opt for gel-based or cream cleansers that clean without stripping your skin’s natural oils.

  • Tip: Look for ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid in cleansers for a hydration boost.

2. Layer Your Hydration

Winter air pulls moisture from your skin, so it’s crucial to layer lightweight hydrating products. Start with a hydrating essence or toner before following up with your serums and creams.

  • My Pick: Peach & Lily Wild Dew Essence – It feels like a hydrating drink for your skin and preps it for further moisture.

3. Use a Humectant-Rich Serum

Serums with humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and panthenol draw water into the skin, keeping it plump and hydrated.

  • Favorite: Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum – This serum delivers deep hydration, giving me that dewy, fresh look, even in the dead of winter.

4. Don’t Skip Moisturizer

Even if your skin feels oily in certain areas, you still need moisturizer to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier. During winter, switch to a slightly richer formula without clogging your pores.

  • Recommendation: Thayer’s Let’s Be Clear Water-Cream – Lightweight but hydrating enough to keep my combination skin soft all day.

5. Apply a Weekly Hydrating Mask

Masks are a great way to restore moisture when your skin feels particularly dry or tight. Use a hydrating gel mask to soothe and nourish.

  • Go-To: Omy Laboratoires Hydra-Gel Hydrating Mask – This mask instantly calms any dry or irritated areas and locks in hydration, leaving my skin plump and ready for makeup.

6. Seal It with an Occlusive Layer

If your skin feels extra dry, add an occlusive layer (like a facial oil or balm) on top of your moisturizer to trap moisture. This step works wonders overnight.

  • Pro Tip: Use a light oil like squalane if you have combination skin. It won’t clog pores but will lock in hydration where you need it most.

7. Stay Hydrated from Within

Remember that hydration isn’t just about what you put on your skin. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider herbal teas for a cozy hydration boost. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon and chia seeds) can also support your skin’s moisture barrier.


8. Invest in a Humidifier

Indoor heating can dry out the air, which pulls moisture from your skin. Running a humidifier at night adds moisture back into the air and helps your skin stay hydrated while you sleep.


9. SPF Is Still Essential

Even in winter, the sun’s UV rays can cause damage and dryness. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect your skin and keep it hydrated.


10. Avoid Hot Showers and Baths

While it’s tempting to warm up with a hot shower, hot water can strip the skin’s natural oils. Stick to lukewarm water to keep your skin from drying out.


Final Thoughts

Winter can be tough on the skin, but with the right hydration routine, you can keep your complexion glowing and makeup-ready throughout the season. Prioritize moisture, use hydrating layers, and incorporate nourishing masks like the Omy Laboratoires Hydra-Gel Hydrating Mask to restore balance. And don’t forget to hydrate from within by drinking water and using a humidifier!

With these tips—and my go-to hydrating products from Peach & Lily, Omy Laboratoires, and Thayer’s—you’ll be ready to face winter with glowing, happy skin.

How do you keep your skin hydrated in winter? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram @iamsandyesprit! Stay cozy and hydrated! 😊

Leave a comment