3 skincare trends to help you protect your face this winter

Winter really kills our skin. Right? From exaggerated makeup routines and lax skincare regimens during the holidays to endless cycles of hot, cold, and dry indoor and outdoor air, our skin tends to take a constant beating in the months leading up to spring.

The good news is that the post-holiday hibernation season is the best time to get your skin back to health, and the latest skincare trends are a perfect fit.

Much like the biggest skincare trends of last year, 2026 will see us go back to basics and focus on quality, not quantity, with simple, streamlined skincare regimens. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to establish a consistent routine that actually works for your unique skin (rather than just layering a dozen TikTok viral products and hoping for the best), you’ll be happy to know that making your face look like a glazed donut is officially a thing. out.

Instead, it contains gentler support to repair the skin barrier. destruction A barrier to cutting-edge skincare for at-home use. Read on to discover the skincare essentials you’ll be seeing everywhere this winter and throughout the year ahead.

“Soft” active

Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, layering too many active ingredients can wreak havoc on your skin barrier. Powerful ingredients like AHA and BHA chemical exfoliants and high-strength retinoids can work wonders when used carefully and sparingly, but with the growing influence of social media, these are rarely considered. This has led many people to overuse skincare (and even over-cleanse), which breaks down the skin’s natural barrier and leads to inflammation, breakouts and hyperpigmentation. These are the very things we are trying to avoid in the first place!

Fortunately, your skin’s microbiome can be balanced with a simplified routine that uses “soft” actives like peptides, ceramides, antioxidants, and soothing botanicals. These targeted yet gentle active ingredients deeply rejuvenate the skin over time, ultimately helping the skin barrier return to its default state and support itself naturally.

Common soft actives include:

• Mandelic acid. These large molecule AHAs (as opposed to small molecule AHAs like glycolic acid, which penetrate deeper and are therefore stronger) sit on the skin’s surface and gently dissolve dead skin without the traumatic peeling effect of a snake.
• Niacinamide. Also known as Vitamin B3, this retinol alternative can help minimize pores, control sebum, smooth fine lines, and fade dark spots, making it a great choice for everything from acne to anti-aging. Antioxidant effects protect the skin from free radicals and environmental stressors.
• Peptide. Popular for its “prevention” (aka active anti-aging) properties, this topical product helps boost skin elasticity and hydration through collagen and elastin production.
• ectoin. This natural amino acid helps the skin lock in moisture by forming a protective film around skin cells. Suitable for dry winter months. It also reduces inflammation and protects the skin from environmental stressors, helping the skin become more elastic as its barrier repairs.
• Ceramide. These are lipids (aka fats) that occur naturally in the skin and help form a protective barrier that retains moisture and blocks irritants. Essential for soft, supple, hydrated skin and suitable for all skin types.

Best of all, it doesn’t cost a fortune to find products that contain these soft active ingredients. Check out our budget-friendly favorites from popular brands below.

The In Key List Actoin Hydro-Barrier Serum

price: $15 at Ulta

Paula’s Choice Mandelic Acid + Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliator

price: $15 on Amazon

The Ordinary Multi Peptide + Copper Peptide 1% Serum

price: $32 at Ulta

Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion

price: $13.99 on Amazon

Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum with Ectoin

price: $8 at Ulta

SPF specialized for winter

Now we all know that we need to protect our skin from the sun’s rays all year round… Right?

Even in winter, the sun can be a threat if you don’t apply SPF. At best, it can lead to hyperpigmentation and premature aging, and at worst, skin cancer. And don’t think that all that snow on the ground means you’re exempt! In fact, snow is one of the most powerful reflectors of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, doubling our sun exposure even on cloudy days.

However, requirements for SPF in the winter tend to be different than when the weather is warmer. When the air gets dry, you need hydrating products like creams or oils that double up on effectiveness by adding “soft” active ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, or plant extracts.

Here are some of our favorite options for protecting your skin from the winter sun.

Super Goof! Superscreen Hydrating Daily Cream Moisturizer SPF 40

price: $48 at Ulta

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Hydrating Moisturizer SPF 45

price: $27.50 at Sephora (originally $55)

La Roche-Posay Antelios 50 UV Hydra Sunscreen

price: $39.99 at CVS

Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+

price: $22 at Ulta

At-home skincare techniques

Cutting-edge, science-based skincare technology is exploding in popularity right now. What better time to try it out than while cooped up indoors on a cold day? Not only will these devices help you take your cozy at-home spa days to the next level, but they can also save you money on in-office procedures in the long run.

Advanced technologies include LED therapy masks and microcurrent stimulation devices, so let’s take a look at the basics.

• Red light therapy. These LEDs penetrate deep into the skin to stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation, making them ideal for those interested in anti-aging skincare.
• Blue light therapy. These LEDs remain near the skin’s surface to control oil and kill bacteria, making them ideal for those concerned about acne.
• Microcurrent device. It utilizes low levels of electrical current to stimulate the muscles of the face in the hope of toning, lifting and contouring for younger-looking skin. (Note: These devices can be very expensive and complicated. But below, we love medicube’s beginner-friendly massager for beginners!)

If you’re new to this area of ​​skincare, here are some of the hottest skincare gadgets you can try out this winter.

Medicube Age-R Booster Pro

price: $189 on Amazon

Shark CryoGlow Red & Blue LED Face Mask with Under-Eye Cooling

price: $349.99 on Amazon

Solarave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand

price: $118.30 at Ulta (originally $169)

The post 3 Skincare Trends to Help Protect Your Face This Winter first appeared on RetailMeNot’s The Real Deal.