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Post Overview
- It’s important to perform a winter skin care routine to prevent dry skin during winter, especially for runners.
- Using skin care products like richer moisturizers, protecting skin before outdoor activities, and adjusting home routines can help protect your skin from dehydration.
- Key strategies include staying hydrated, simplifying skincare regimens, and incorporating nourishing foods for overall skin health.
If you’ve ever finished a cold-weather run only to discover your face feels like sandpaper and your hands sting the moment you hit warm air… you’re not alone. Winter running is magical: quiet trails, cozy layers, and snowflakes that feel straight out of a rom-com. The reality is that winter and dry skin are two peas in a pod. Learning how to avoid dry skin in winter isn’t just about comfort; it’s about keeping your skin healthy so you can keep logging miles with confidence.
As a runner who spends a lot of time outside, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make a huge difference once temperatures drop. This guide breaks it all down so you can spend less time healing your dry skin and more time enjoying your winter miles.
Key Topics Included in this Post
Why Winter Dehydrates Your Skin
Cold air + low humidity + constant wind = a recipe for irritation.
When the moisture in the air drops, your skin dehydrates faster than normal, which leads to tightness, flaking, chapped lips, cracked hands, and that post-run red-cheeked burn.
If you’re training for a spring marathon or traveling to a colder destination, you’re exposing your skin to the cold weather elements, meaning your routine needs a little extra love.
Related Post: Training for a spring marathon this winter? Get these tips for how to adapt for winter running!
Winter Running Skin Care Tips
Here is a round-up of skin care tips for running through the winter to keep your skin hydrated and fresh all winter long!
Switch to a Richer Moisturizer for Cold Weather
Think of your winter moisturizer like your warmest running jacket: a light layer isn’t going to cut it. You need something that seals in hydration and stands up to cold wind.
What to Look For In Your Moisturizer
- Ceramides help strengthen your skin barrier
- Hyaluronic acid to pull moisture in
- Occlusives like shea butter or squalane to lock hydration down
- Fragrance-free formulas to prevent irritation
My favorite moisturizer for cold weather is Kiehl’s Ultra face cream. It’s thick and creamy and it adds so much moisture to my skin through the colder months.
When to Apply Moisturizer in the Winter
Right after washing your face or showering to trap water on your skin. Then reapply a small amount after outdoor runs. This will help your skin maintain its hydration levels after exposure to colder temperatures.
Related Post: Speaking of dry skin, your skin is vulnerable when you’re flying. Get tips for giving yourself an airplane facial with this guide!
Protect Your Skin Before You Head Out
Wind is one of the biggest culprits of winter and dry skin. A few small tweaks can save you from that post-run sting.
Your Pre-Run Layering Routine
- Apply a thick, protective face lotion for cold weather.
- Use a balm, like Aquaphor, on vulnerable areas (nose, cheeks, nostrils and lips)
- Don’t skip sunscreen, even on cloudy days. I like CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion With SPF 30. It’s so light and I love that it is oil-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, allergy-tested and non-comedogenic sunscreen recommended for daily use by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
- Wear a buff or face covering on windy days. I like to use the Smartwool Balaclava as a gaiter to warm my neck and pull it over my mouth when I need a little warmth on my face.
Winter Lip Care Tips
When it comes to winter miles, one of the most exposed parts of your body is your mouth. Keep a lip balm in your pocket or a handheld water bottle for easy access.
- Use simple and hydrating lip care options, like Burt’s Bees Lip Balm (I love the vanilla flavor).
- For overnight lip treatment, try the Cosrx Lip Sleep (honestly, you could use it anytime, it’s so good).
- You can also use a thick balm like Aquaphor to keep the moisture locked in.
Avoid Winter Skin By Upgrading Your Hand Care Routine
Hand cream for cold weather is essential, especially if you’re logging miles outside.
Hands take the brunt of winter air, especially if you remove gloves to check your phone or take a photo of a snowy trail (we’ve all done it).
How to Keep Your Hands Hydrated in Winter
These tips will help with keeping your skin in tip-top shape during the winter.
- A thick hand cream is applied throughout the day. Try CeraVe’s Therapeutic Hand Cream, which is perfect for keeping hands from cracking through winter.
- A heavier overnight balm (again, I can’t stress Aquaphor enough). You can also treat your hands with these Aquaphor healing therapy gloves.
- Gloves lined with fleece or wool for long runs.
- A backup travel-size cream in your car or carry-on for when your skin needs a little touch-up.
For a full list of my skin care favorites, check out my Amazon storefront with the skin care products in my rotation.
Simplify Your Shower Routine (Your Skin Will Thank You)
If you love long, hot showers after a cold run… I get it. While it feels nice to help thaw out after a cold-weather run, hot water strips your skin of moisture and can dry your skin out.
Winter Shower Tips
- Keep showers short and warm, not steaming hot, as the hotter water can dehydrate your skin,
- Use gentle cleansers and avoid harsh scrubs. The CeraVe Moisturizing Face Cleanser is hydrating and gentle for all skin types.
- Apply moisturizer immediately after towel-drying. I like the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream since it’s thick and absorbs quickly.
How to Humidify Your Home
This is especially important if you’re traveling for winter races or constantly flying.
Easy Tricks to Keep Your Skin Hydrated at Home
- Set a humidifier by your bed. We use this humidifier from Vicks to add moisture to our apartment, and you can adjust the moisture level.
- Keep your thermostat lower so the air stays less dry
- Place a small bowl of water near heating vents in a pinch
Hydrate From the Inside Out
Sure, we talk a lot about electrolytes as runners, but your skin needs them too. Winter hydration matters both during runs and throughout the day.
How to Add Hydration To Your Diet
- Drink water consistently (not just during workouts).
- Add electrolytes throughout the week.
- Eat water-rich foods like cucumbers, oranges, and melons.
- Add healthy fats (avocado, salmon, nuts) for skin health.
Related Post: For more tips with nutrition for marathon runners, check out this post when I worked with a marathon nutrition coach.
Frequently Asked Questions: Winter Skin Care Edition
Cold air has less humidity, and indoor heat can make the air even drier, which can cause your skin to dry out in the winter. If you factor in the hot water during showers, which can strip your skin of natural oils.
Apply moisturizer right after you get out of the shower or wash your face since your skin is already damp. Adding the moisturizer will help lock in moisture.
You should apply moisturizer at least twice a day in the winter. Also consider adding a hand lotion for after washing your hands for sensitive areas like around your nailbeds or cuticles.
Yes! Lighter products are better for summer. Switch to richer moisturizers or creams for the winter months.
Add an occlusive product layer to your exposed skin (like a balm or petroleum-based product) to help decrease the impact of wind exposure. I personally like Aquaphor for winter running.
Create a Simple Winter Skin Care Routine
You don’t need a 12-step routine to stay moisturized. Just a few well-timed habits can prevent dryness and keep things glowing.
Your Quick, Runner-Friendly Skin Care Routine
Morning: Gentle wash, followed by a hydrating serum and thick moisturizer, then add SPF.
Before a run: Reapply moisturizer and a protective balm.
Post-run: Cleanse lightly rich moisturizer.
Night: Gentle cleanse with a heavier night cream.
Keep it simple and keep it doable during marathon training.
Wrap Up: How to Avoid Dry Skin in Winter (And Still Enjoy Your Miles)
Learning how to avoid dry skin in winter isn’t about creating a complicated routine, it’s about choosing small, intentional habits that support your skin through cold weather, windy runs, and travel days. Winter training brings enough challenges; flaky, uncomfortable skin doesn’t need to be one of them.
Take what works for you, layer it into your day, and give your skin the same care you give your training plan. Your future glowy, hydrated self will thank you.
If you try any of these tips or have your own winter-running skin hacks, share them in the comments or tag me on Instagram so I can cheer you on.
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