Cold air outside, dry heat inside and hot showers all pull moisture out of your skin, which is why it can feel tight, flaky and dull by December. The fix is not a whole new routine: it is a gentler cleanser, one extra layer of moisture, and remembering the skin below your jaw. Here is a simple winter routine, with the in-stock picks from the skincare shelf at Kija Hair Salon in Irvine.
The short answer: cleanse gently, add a serum under a richer cream, use a night treatment if dullness bothers you, moisturize your body right after showering, and keep wearing sunscreen.
Your Winter Routine at a Glance
| Step | What to look for | Our pick | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cleanse | A cream or oil cleanser that doesn’t leave skin tight | Your gentlest cleanser | — |
| 2. Serum | A lightweight layer under moisturizer, morning and night | Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate | $70 (30 ml) / $90 (50 ml) |
| 3. Moisturize | A richer cream than you use in summer | Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream | $75 |
| 4. Night treatment | For dullness and uneven-looking tone | Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Surge | $75 |
| 5. Body | A non-greasy lotion on damp skin after showering | Hempz Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon Body Moisturizer | $20 (500 ml) / $5 (66 ml) |
| 6. Dry patches | A few drops of oil on very dry spots | KIDA Beverly Hills Pracaxi Oil | $46 |
Prices checked October 2026. Our skincare stock is limited; every product listed is in stock and ships from our salon in Irvine, California.
Step 1: Cleanse Gently
Harsh, foaming soaps strip the oils your skin needs most in winter. Switch to a cream or oil cleanser, use lukewarm rather than hot water, and pat your face dry instead of rubbing.
Step 2: Add a Serum
A serum is the easiest way to add a layer without making your moisturizer heavier. The Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate is applied morning and evening, after cleansing and before moisturizing (two pumps). It is designed to help skin keep its own defenses up in a harsh environment, leaving it looking smooth, supple and radiant. It is non-comedogenic and dermatologist-tested.
Step 3: Use a Richer Cream
The lotion that felt fine in July often stops being enough by January. The Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is a rich, silky cream that deeply moisturizes, visibly smooths out wrinkles and plumps up lines. Apply it morning and night after cleansing (and after your serum). It contains fragrance and alcohol, so if your skin is sensitive, try it on a small area first.
Step 4: A Night Treatment for Dullness
Winter skin often looks dull as well as dry. The Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Surge is an emulsion that helps visibly reduce the look of dark spots and uneven tone, for a brighter, more even-looking complexion. Massage it in each night after cleansing and moisturizing, avoiding any inflamed areas. It is alcohol-free and dermatologist-tested.
Good to know: White Lucent Luminizing Surge is no longer part of Shiseido’s current U.S. line-up. We have a limited number left from our salon stock at our normal shelf price, and we’re happy to check the batch code for you before you order.
Step 5: Don’t Forget Your Body
Arms, shins and hands dry out first, and they usually get forgotten. Smooth a body moisturizer over damp skin right after showering. The Hempz Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon Body Moisturizer helps replenish and lock in moisture with a non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula, and it comes in a large 500 ml bottle or a 66 ml travel size.
Step 6: Oil for Very Dry Spots
For elbows, knuckles or a dry patch on the face, a small amount of oil works well over moisturizer. The KIDA Beverly Hills Pracaxi Oil is made for both hair and skin, so the same bottle also smooths dry, frizzy ends. See our pracaxi oil guide.
More Winter Habits That Help
- Run a humidifier where you sleep to put moisture back into heated indoor air.
- Keep showers short and warm, not hot.
- Exfoliate gently, about once a week, so moisturizer can do its job.
- Keep wearing sunscreen. UV rays still reach your skin on cold, cloudy days.
- Drink water through the day, especially if you spend hours in heated rooms.
Book a Facial at Our Salon
For a deeper reset, Ghazaleh, the independent esthetician at our salon, offers facials, waxing, threading and tinting. Find her direct number on our Meet Our Team page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I change my skincare routine in winter?
Use a gentler cleanser, add a serum under your moisturizer, switch to a richer cream, and moisturize your body right after showering. Keep the rest of your routine the same.
Do I still need sunscreen in winter?
Yes. UV rays reach your skin on cold and cloudy days too, so keep sunscreen in your morning routine.
Does serum go before or after moisturizer?
Before. Apply serum after cleansing, let it absorb, then follow with your moisturizer.
Is Shiseido White Lucent still available?
White Lucent Luminizing Surge is no longer part of Shiseido’s current U.S. line-up. We have a limited number of units left from our salon stock.
Shop Skin Care · 5 winter hair care tips. U.S. orders over $40 ship free from our salon in Irvine, California.