The things that help that aren't products
A humidifier in the bedroom does more for a dry face than most serums, and if you do not want one, a bowl of water near a radiator is a low-tech version. Keep a balm in your coat pocket for lips and use it before you go out rather than after they crack. Wash up with gloves on. Rinse your face with lukewarm water after being out in wind. And if your skin flares into something painful, persistently scaly, or weeping, that is the point to stop experimenting and see a pharmacist or doctor rather than buying another cream.
Should I change my whole skincare routine for winter?
No — swapping everything at once means that if something reacts, you will have no idea what it was. Change one thing a week, starting with your cleanser, then your moisturiser, then the frequency of your actives. Most people find that two or three adjustments carry them through the whole season, and the rest of the routine can stay exactly as it is.
Why does my foundation look patchy when it's cold?
Patchiness in winter is almost always a surface problem rather than a formula problem: dry flakes sit proud of the skin, grab more pigment than the smooth areas around them, and emphasise texture. Gentle, infrequent exfoliation plus genuinely well-hydrated skin fixes it faster than switching foundations. Give your moisturiser a few minutes to settle before you apply base, and press product in with a damp sponge rather than buffing it with a brush, which tends to lift flakes rather than cover them.
