Winter in Lahore, Islamabad or Peshawar brings chai, gajar ka halwa — and tight, flaky skin. Cold air holds less moisture, gas heaters dry out rooms even further, and smog doesn't help.
The good news: winter skincare doesn't need ten products. It needs the right five habits.
Step 1: Switch to a gentler cleanser
Foaming face washes that worked in summer can strip skin in winter. Move to a cream or gel cleanser and use lukewarm — not hot — water. Hot water feels lovely in December but pulls oils from your skin.
Step 2: Moisturise on damp skin
Pat your face dry but leave it slightly damp, then moisturise straight away. This locks in water. Look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin or hyaluronic acid. The AAD's dermatologist tips for dry skin are excellent and easy to follow.
Step 3: Don't skip sunscreen
Winter sun still carries UV, especially at altitude in the north. Use SPF on your face every morning.
Step 4: Put moisture back in the air
This is the step most people miss. If you sit by a gas heater all evening, the air in your room gets very dry — and so does your skin. A small humidifier on your desk or bedside table makes a real difference.
Our bulb humidifier and mist sprayer is compact enough for a desk and adds a gentle mist around you. We explain more in humidifier benefits for dry winters and AC rooms.
Step 5: Exfoliate less, not more
Flaky skin tempts you to scrub, but over-exfoliating makes it worse. Once a week with a gentle exfoliant is plenty.
Winter blackheads? Yes, they still happen
Heavier creams can clog pores for some people. If you notice more blackheads, keep cleansing gently and treat them once a week — our guide on removing blackheads at home safely walks you through it with a pore cleaner.
Quick fixes for lips, hands and heels
- Lips: a plain balm or petroleum jelly at night. Stop licking them!
- Hands: hand cream after every wash and before bed.
- Heels: thick cream and cotton socks overnight.
Don't forget to drink water
It's easy to drink less when it's cold. Keep a bottle nearby, and enjoy soups. For general healthy eating, the NHS Eat Well guide is a good reference.
Find skincare tools in the health and beauty collection, and gadgets that make winter cosier in our gadgets collection.