Winter skin care is about one thing: keeping moisture in. Cold air, low humidity and indoor heating pull water out of your skin and weaken its barrier, which leads to dryness, flaking, tightness and itching. Plum's winter essentials are built around barrier-repairing ceramides, rich creams, nourishing body care and daily SPF, so your skin stays soft and comfortable all season. Every product is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Why does skin get dry in winter?
Your skin barrier is a layer of lipids, such as ceramides, that locks moisture in. In winter, dry air and cold winds speed up water loss through this barrier, and hot showers and heaters strip away natural oils. The result is dull, flaky or itchy skin, chapped lips and cracked hands. The fix is to cleanse gently, replenish lipids and seal hydration in.
Your winter skincare routine
- Cleanse gently: swap harsh, stripping cleansers for a gentle one like the 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Face Wash, which cleanses without leaving skin tight. See all face washes for winter.
- Tone and hydrate: a milky, hydrating toner such as the CeraSense™ Milky Toner for Dry Skin adds a first layer of moisture.
- Moisturise with ceramides: the CeraSense™ Barrier Repair Face Moisturizer and the Oat & 1% Ceramide Face Cream replenish the barrier. For oily or combination skin, the lightweight 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Gel Moisturizer hydrates without heaviness. For very dry skin, try the E-Luminence Deep Moisturizing Cream. Explore winter moisturisers for dry skin and winter face creams.
- Protect with SPF: UV rays still damage skin on cold, cloudy days. Use the 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water SPF 50 PA++++ Sunscreen for all skin types, or the Green Tea & Zinc Super-Matte SPF 50 Sunscreen Gel for oily and acne-prone skin. See sunscreen for winter.
Winter body care
Body skin has fewer oil glands than your face, so it dries out first in winter. Apply body lotion or butter within a few minutes of bathing, while skin is still slightly damp, to lock in water.
- Body lotions: everyday hydration in gourmand and floral scents, like Vanilla Caramello and Hazelnut Eclair. See body lotion for winter.
- Body butters: a richer texture for very dry areas like elbows, knees and shins, such as the Vanilla Caramello Body Butter.
- Body oils: the Vanilla Vibes Body Oil seals moisture in and leaves a soft glow.
Lips and hands
Lips have no oil glands and hands are washed often, so both chap quickly in winter. Keep a lip balm and hand cream within reach.
- Lip balms: the Candy Melts Vegan Lip Balms and Glassic Lip Balms nourish dry, chapped lips. See winter lip balms.
- Hand creams: the Vanilla Vibes Hand Cream softens dry hands. See all hand creams.
Winter essentials by skin type
- Dry skin: choose rich creams with ceramides, shea butter or hyaluronic acid, and add a hydrating toner. The CeraSense™ range is built for dry skin.
- Oily and combination skin: oily skin can still feel tight in winter. Keep a lightweight moisturiser such as the 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Gel Moisturizer and add a richer cream only on dry patches.
- Sensitive skin: stick to fragrance-free, barrier-repairing formulas and patch test new products.
- Dry, flaky scalp: winter dandruff is common. The Volcanic Minerals & 0.5% Salicylic Acid Shampoo helps clear flakes. See anti-dandruff products.
Key winter skincare ingredients
- Ceramides: lipids that rebuild the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.
- Hyaluronic acid: a humectant that draws water into the skin.
- Shea and cocoa butter: rich emollients that soften and seal in moisture.
- Squalane and vitamin E: nourishing, skin-friendly oils that keep skin supple.
- Oat: soothes dry, itchy, irritated skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skin care products do I need in winter?
A winter routine needs a gentle, hydrating face wash, a ceramide-rich moisturiser, daily SPF, a body lotion or butter, a lip balm and a hand cream. Dry skin also benefits from a hydrating toner, such as the CeraSense™ Milky Toner.
How do I stop my skin from getting dry in winter?
Cleanse with a non-stripping face wash, keep showers lukewarm, and moisturise within a few minutes of washing while skin is still damp. Choose creams with ceramides or shea butter to repair the barrier, and don't skip sunscreen.
Which moisturiser is best for dry skin in winter?
Look for ceramides and rich emollients. The CeraSense™ Barrier Repair Face Moisturizer and the Oat & 1% Ceramide Face Cream replenish the skin barrier. See all winter moisturisers for dry skin.
Do I need sunscreen in winter?
Yes. UVA rays, which cause tanning and premature ageing, stay strong all year, even on cold or cloudy days. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 50 every morning, such as the 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water SPF 50 Sunscreen, or the Green Tea & Zinc Super-Matte SPF 50 Sunscreen Gel for oily skin. See sunscreen for winter.
How do I soothe itchy skin in winter?
Winter itch usually comes from a dry, damaged skin barrier. Avoid very hot water, pat skin dry, and apply a rich body lotion or butter straight after bathing. Ingredients like oat soothe irritation. See a dermatologist if itching is severe or doesn't improve.
Should oily skin use a moisturiser in winter?
Yes. Oily skin can still lose water and feel tight in winter. Use a lightweight gel moisturiser, such as the 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Gel Moisturizer, and add a richer cream only on dry patches.
How can I prevent chapped lips and cracked hands in winter?
Apply lip balm through the day and before bed, and avoid licking your lips. Use hand cream after every wash. Shop winter lip balms and hand creams.
When should I switch to a winter skincare routine?
Switch as soon as your skin starts feeling tight or flaky after cleansing, usually when temperatures and humidity drop in late October or November. Start by swapping to a gentler cleanser and a richer moisturiser.
