If there’s one chief skincare woe come wintertime, it has to be dull skin. As the seasons shift, we trade in summer’s humidity and extra sunshine for bitingly cold, dry air and more time spent indoors where heating units roar, adding fuel to the already dry fire. So if you can’t exactly change these facts, how do you fix dull winter skin? With these dull skin tips and tricks up your sleeve, you’ll have a glowy, radiant complexion—even as temperatures continue to drop.
How to Fix Dull Winter Skin
Treating dull and dry winter skin requires a three-fold approach. You want to use the best ingredients to treat dullness, make some simple lifestyle switches, and really take care of nurturing your body from the inside out.
1. Add a Triple-Threat Moisturizer to Your Skincare Routine
There are three types of ingredients that tackle dry skin: humectants, emollients, and occlusives. The first is super important because it attracts moisture to your skin, plumping it up so it looks dewy, fresh, and plump. The second moisturizes and smoothes skin, and the last creates a protective barrier to lock in all the above.
Hyaluronic acid—a star player in KNESKO’s Amethyst Hydrate Serum—is one of the most powerful humectant ingredients you can add to your routine. The serum is also formulated with squalane, an emollient that mimics the skin's lipids, and ceramides NP to support the skin barrier and lock in hydration.
Sale price
$70.00
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to care for your skin from the neck down, too. It’s also susceptible to dryness and dullness in the winter. Check out our luxurious body care treatments that are formulated with real gold.
Sale price
$125.00
2. Switch to Cooler Water in the Shower
The lure of a steamy, hot shower is real, but dial back that temperature just a tad. Hot water zaps your skin’s natural moisture, resulting in dryness and irritation from head to toe. A warm shower still feels soothing while preserving your skin’s moisture barrier, keeping it hydrated and less prone to winter dullness. Also switch to a cooler temp when washing your face morning and evening.
3. Use Radiance-Boosting Treatments
Radiance-boosting ingredients impart a noticeable luminosity across your skin. Once weekly—and before any event where you want to look your best—apply the KNESKO Diamond Radiance Collagen Face Mask. Real crushed diamonds instantly brighten and while nourishing ingredients such as COQ10, rose essential oil, niacinamide, and Marine Collagen improve skin health and luminosity with consistent use.
Diamond Radiance Collagen Face Mask
Sale price
$47.00
Pro Tip: Go the extra mile by adding the Diamond Radiance Neck and Decollete Mask Combo, especially if your outfit showcases your neck and chest.
4. Add a Humidifier to Your Space
The best way to combat indoor heating is to add humidity back into the air with a personal humidifier. There are tiny ones you can add to your deskside or nightstand—areas where you spend a lot of your time—so the air isn’t as dry. Paired with humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid, you’ll see a difference in glow factor practically right away.
Related: 5 Common Complexion Problems & How to Fix Them
5. Exfoliate Weekly
Did you know that cold temperatures can slow down the skin’s natural exfoliation process? This results in a buildup of dead skin cells, which create a dull layer over your skin that hinders glowiness. Exfoliating once or twice a week helps slough off dead skin cells to reveal fresh and radiant skin. It’ll also help your makeup apply more smoothly and other products absorb more easily.
KNESKO’s Black Pearl Resurfacing Serum is scientifically formulated with 8 AHAs and 2 PHAs to transform your skin from dull to dazzling via gentle exfoliation. Meanwhile, crushed black pearls help moisturize and protect. The result is brighter skin, smaller-looking pores, and a more even appearance.
Sale price
$65.00
6. Nurture from the Inside Out
To keep your skin healthy and glowing even in the depths of winter, it's important to nurture not just your body with the right skincare ingredients, but to nurture yourself from the inside out. This means filling your fridge with nutritious ingredients, getting your daily water quota, and setting aside intentional time for yourself to de-stress, feel grounded, and channel healing, positive intentions.
A balanced skincare routine and consistent self-care habits are key to glowing, radiant skin in winter. By holding this space for yourself—hydrating, moisturizing, and fostering a sense of inner peace—you can help your skin stay radiant and your soul resilient.
Read Next: What You’re Missing in Your Skin Care for Dry Skin
