Find Your Winter Glow: Skincare Routines by Skin Type

Winter’s here—bringing woolly jumpers, early sunsets, and the great annual mystery of how our skin went from "dewy and divine" to "tight, flaky, and a bit confused." The truth is, colder weather affects each of us differently. While some are dealing with dryness that rivals the Sahara, others are trying to balance oily patches, redness, or sudden sensitivity.

The key to surviving winter skin woes? Listening to your skin and giving it what it actually needs—not what the skincare aisle is shouting at you.

At Cow & Coconut, we believe in skincare that’s honest, nurturing, and grounded in nature. Whether your skin is dry, sensitive, oily, or somewhere in between, we've put together a simple guide to help you build a winter routine that works for you—featuring natural ingredients, comforting rituals, and a few of our favourite skin-loving picks.

Let’s find your winter glow, the natural way.

Tight, flaky, or dull? Your skin’s asking for a big, comforting drink.

Dry skin often gets worse in winter thanks to low humidity, hot showers, and indoor heating—all of which pull moisture out of the skin and leave it feeling rough, sore, or papery. The trick is to layer hydration and then lock it in.

Morning

1. Cleanse gently with a cream or oil-based cleanser
2. Apply a hydrating mist or serum with hyaluronic acid
3. Follow with a rich moisturiser—look for shea butter, rosehip, calendula, or cocoa butter
4. Seal in hydration with a few drops of facial oil
5. Apply a nourishing lip balm to prevent cracks before they start

Evening

1. Repeat your morning cleanse
2. Use a deeply hydrating mask or balm 2–3 nights a week
3. Apply a thicker cream or balm for overnight nourishment
4. Treat lips to a rich balm before bed

🛁 Body care tip: Moisturise while your skin is still damp after showering. Our Body Lotion & Oil collection includes lush options like avocado oil, coconut-rich creams, and natural butters that leave skin soft without greasiness.

Prone to redness, tingles, or random flare-ups? Your barrier needs kindness, not complexity.

Sensitive skin in winter can feel like it’s on high alert. Wind, dry air, even that jumper you thought was soft—suddenly everything sets it off. The goal here is to simplify, soothe, and support your skin’s natural defences.

Morning

1. Skip exfoliation unless absolutely needed
2. Use a barrier-repair balm or cream on cheeks, around the nose, or wherever feels tender
3. Stick to soothing, non-active ingredients—your skin wants comfort, not a workout

🛁 Body care tip: Look for unscented or low-scent body creams made with nourishing plant oils and without essential oils or synthetic fragrance.

Try products from our Facial Moisturiser collection that are formulated with calming botanicals and barrier-supportive ingredients.

Evening

1. Cleanse with a minimal-ingredient, fragrance-free cleanser
2. Apply a calming moisturiser with chamomile, oat, calendula, or aloe
3. Avoid layering too many products—less is truly more
4. Use a soft lip balm (lanolin or beeswax-based) to protect lips without irritation

A little dry here, a little oily there—your skin likes to keep you on your toes.

Combination skin can feel especially unpredictable in winter. One minute it’s flaky around the nose, the next there’s oil shining on your forehead. The trick is to treat different areas with care and avoid overcorrecting.

Morning

1. Cleanse with a gentle gel or light cream cleanser
2. Apply a balancing moisturiser that hydrates without being too heavy
3. Add richer cream or balm to dry spots as needed
4. A protective lip balm to hydrate and seal in moisture

Evening

1. Repeat your morning cleanse
2. Moisturise and apply facial oil to dry areas only
3. Exfoliate no more than once a week (and keep it gentle)
4. Use a hydrating mask or light night cream depending on how your skin feels that day

🛁 Body care tip: Try fast-absorbing lotions for all-over softness, and top up dry patches (like elbows and shins) with body oil.

You’ll find great balancing options across our Facial Moisturiser and Body Lotion & Oil collections.

Yes, you still need to moisturise. Even if you’re shiny.

Oily skin might not feel dry to the touch, but winter can still dehydrate it underneath. Stripping your skin with harsh cleansers or skipping moisturiser can actually lead to more oil production—not less. Balance is the goal here.

Morning

1. Cleanse with a gentle gel or foam cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin squeaky
2. Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser (look for aloe, jojoba, or green tea)
3. Spot-treat if needed with a clay-based product once or twice a week
4. Keep lip care simple—go for something non-greasy and light

Evening

1. Double cleanse if wearing makeup or sunscreen
2. Moisturise (don’t skip it!)
3. Use clay masks, exfoliants, or actives only a couple of times a week—more isn’t better
4. Dab balm on any dry patches, especially around the nose or mouth

🛁 Body care tip: Use a lightweight lotion and avoid over-cleansing. Even oily skin needs gentle care.

Explore light, balancing products in our Facial Moisturiser range and protective, non-greasy Lip Care options.

At the end of the day, winter skincare isn’t about perfection—it’s about protection. Whether your skin is dry, sensitive, oily, or somewhere in between, what it really wants is to feel safe, supported, and moisturised in a way that works for you.

Start with simple habits:

1. Apply moisturiser when skin is still slightly damp
2. Keep a lip balm nearby at all times
3. Don’t over-exfoliate (especially when it’s windy!)
4. And give your skin time to settle before introducing anything new

Above all, treat your skincare routine as a moment of care, not a chore. Winter is the perfect time to slow down, breathe deep, and build little rituals that feel like comfort—wrapped up in shea butter and steam.