Winter Skin Rescue: How to Treat Dryness and Dullness

July 27, 2026

If your skin has been feeling tight, flaky, or just a little lacklustre lately, you're not imagining it. Winter is genuinely hard on your skin — and New Zealand winters, with their cold snaps, biting winds, and dry indoor heating, are no exception.

The good news? A few targeted adjustments to your routine can make a dramatic difference. Here's how to rescue dry, dull winter skin using clean, organic ingredients that actually work.

Why Does Skin Get Dry and Dull in Winter?

Your skin's moisture barrier — the outermost layer that keeps hydration in and irritants out — is highly sensitive to environmental conditions. In winter:

Cold air holds less moisture, drawing water out of your skin
Indoor heating reduces humidity further, accelerating transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
Hot showers (tempting as they are) strip natural oils from the skin
Reduced sun exposure can slow cell turnover, leading to a build-up of dead skin cells that makes skin look dull

The result: skin that feels tight, looks flat, and may even become reactive or sensitised.

Step 1: Switch to a Richer Cleanser

If you're using a foaming or gel cleanser, winter is the time to swap to something creamier and more nourishing. Harsh cleansers strip the skin's natural lipid barrier — the last thing you want when it's already under pressure from the cold.

Look for cleansers with hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, rosehip, or plant-based oils that cleanse without stripping. Try Lamav's Marula Oil Cleanser

Step 2: Don't Skip the Serum

A targeted serum is your most powerful tool for addressing winter skin concerns. Applied to damp skin before your moisturiser, a good serum delivers active ingredients deeper into the skin where they can make a real difference.

For dryness: look for hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, or niacinamide
For dullness: vitamin C, rosehip oil, and natural AHAs help brighten and encourage cell turnover
For sensitivity: bakuchiol (nature's retinol alternative) delivers renewal without irritation — read our full guide to bakuchiol here

Not sure if serums belong in your routine? We've covered exactly that in a previous Journal post.

Step 3: Upgrade Your Moisturiser

Your lightweight summer moisturiser may not be enough in winter. Look for a formula that combines:

Humectants (like hyaluronic acid) to draw moisture into the skin
Emollients (like shea butter or jojoba oil) to soften and smooth
Occlusives (like plant-based waxes) to seal everything in

Applying your moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp from cleansing or toning helps lock in extra hydration. Try Lamav's Hyaluronic Moisturiser

Step 4: Exfoliate — But Gently

Dull skin is often a sign of dead cell build-up. A gentle exfoliant once or twice a week can restore radiance quickly — but in winter, less is more. Over-exfoliating a compromised barrier will make things worse.

Opt for a mild enzyme exfoliant or a low-percentage AHA rather than harsh physical scrubs.

Step 5: Don't Forget SPF

UV rays are present year-round, even on overcast winter days. Skipping SPF in winter is one of the most common (and costly) skincare mistakes. A broad-spectrum SPF 30+ applied as the last step of your morning routine protects against photoageing and helps maintain an even skin tone.

Our Winter Skincare Pick: LAMAV

LAMAV's certified organic skincare range is formulated with exactly these winter challenges in mind. Their holistic approach combines innovative, efficacious formulas with nourishing plant-based ingredients — no harsh synthetics, no unnecessary fillers.

Whether you're looking for a richer moisturiser, a brightening serum, or a gentle cleanser to see you through the colder months, try LAMAV's Ultra-Hydration range's nourishing formulas that provide dry and dehydrated skin with a burst of hydration while locking in moisture for a plumper, brighter and revitalised complexion.