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We really put our skin through the wringer in the winter, don’t we? From amped-up makeup routines and lax skincare regimens over the holidays to the endless cycle of hot and cold, dry air indoors and out, our skin tends to get battered for months on end before emerging for spring.
The good news is that the post-holiday hibernation season is the best time to get your skin back into shape, and the latest skincare trends fall perfectly in line with doing so.
Much like last year’s biggest skincare trends, we’re getting back to basics in 2026, and focusing on quality — not quantity — with simple, streamlined skincare regimens. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is it to establish a consistent routine that actually works for your unique skin (as opposed to layering on a dozen TikTok-viral products and hoping for the best), then you’ll be happy to know that making your face look like a glazed donut is officially out.
Instead, what’s in is gentler support to repair the skin’s barrier, as well as breaking the barrier to high-tech skincare for use at home. Read on to discover the skincare essentials you’ll be seeing everywhere this winter and throughout the year ahead.
“Soft” Actives
Layering too many harsh actives can wreak havoc on the skin’s barrier, even if you don’t have sensitive skin. Powerful ingredients like AHA and BHA chemical exfoliants, and high-strength retinoids can work wonders if used carefully and sparingly, but the rise of social media influence rarely takes that into consideration. This has led many to overdo their skincare (or even just over-cleanse), which disrupts the skin’s natural barrier and results in inflammation, breakouts and hyperpigmentation — the exact things we’re trying to avoid in the first place!
Fortunately, the skin’s microbiome can be balanced with a simplified routine featuring “soft” actives instead, like peptides, ceramides, antioxidants and soothing botanicals. These targeted yet gentle active ingredients allow for deep skin rejuvenation over time, ultimately helping the skin barrier get back to baseline and naturally support itself.
Common soft actives include:
- Mandelic Acid. This large-molecule AHA (as opposed to small-molecule AHA like glycolic acid, which penetrates deeper and is therefore harsher) sits on the skin’s surface to gently dissolve dead skin without any traumatic, snake-like peeling effect.
- Niacinamide. Also known as vitamin B3, this gentler substitute for retinol can minimize pores, regulate sebum, smooth fine lines and fade dark spots, making it a great option for everything from acne to anti-aging. Its antioxidant effects also protect skin from free radicals and environmental stressors.
- Peptides. Popular for “prejuvenation” (aka proactive anti-aging) these topicals help to boost skin elasticity via collagen and elastin production, and enhance hydration.
- Ectoin. This natural amino acid forms a shield around skin cells to help skin trap moisture — perfect for dry winter months. It can also reduce inflammation and protect skin from environmental stressors, helping your skin to become more resilient as its barrier is repaired.
- Ceramides. These are naturally occurring lipids (aka fats) in skin that help form a protective barrier that keeps moisture in and irritants out. They’re essential for soft, supple, hydrated skin and work well with all skin types.
Best of all, finding products with these soft actives doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Check out a handful of our budget-friendly favorites from top brands below.
The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum
Image: UltaPrice: $15 at Ulta
Paula’s Choice Mandelic Acid + Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
Image: AmazonPrice: $15 at Amazon
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
Image: UltaPrice: $32 at Ulta
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion
Image: AmazonPrice: $13.99 at Amazon
Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum With Ectoin
Image: UltaPrice: $8 at Ulta
Winter-Focused SPF
By now, we all know that we need to be protecting our skin from the sun’s rays year-round… right?
Even in winter, the sun poses a threat if you’re not layering on an SPF — leading to hyperpigmentation and premature aging at best, and skin cancer at worst. And don’t brush it off thinking 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 UV rays, essentially doubling your sun exposure even when it’s cloudy.
But our needs for SPF in the winter tend to be different than when the weather is warm. The drier air begs for more hydrating formulas like creams or oils that often pull double duty with the addition of — you guessed it — “soft” actives like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants or botanical extracts.
Here are some of our favorite options for protecting your skin from the winter sun.
Supergoop! Superscreen Hydrating Daily Cream Moisturizer SPF 40
Image: UltaPrice: $48 at Ulta
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Hydrating Moisturizer SPF 45
Image: SephoraPrice: $27.50 (orig. $55) at Sephora
La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 UV Hydra Sunscreen
Image: CVSPrice: $39.99 at CVS
Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+
Image: UltaPrice: $22 at Ulta
At-Home Skincare Tech
Science-based, cutting-edge skincare tech is exploding in popularity right now. And what better time to try it out than during these cold days spent cocooned indoors? Not only do 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 tech includes LED therapy masks and stimulating microcurrent devices, so let’s take a look at the basics:
- Red Light Therapy. These LEDs penetrate deeper layers of skin to boost collagen production and reduce inflammation — perfect for those interested in anti-aging skincare.
- Blue Light Therapy. These LEDs remain near the skin’s surface to control oil and kill bacteria — ideal for those with acne concerns.
- Microcurrent Devices. These utilize low-level electrical currents to stimulate muscles in the face with the hopes of toning, lifting and contouring skin for a more youthful appearance. (Note: These devices can get really pricey — and complicated — but we like medicube’s beginner-friendly massager for newbies below!)
If you’re new to this realm of skincare, these are a few of the most popular skincare devices to try out this winter.
medicube Age-R Booster Pro
Image: AmazonPrice: $189 at Amazon
Shark CryoGlow Red & Blue LED Face Mask with Under-Eye Cooling
Image: AmazonPrice: $349.99 at Amazon
Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
Image: UltaPrice: $118.30 (orig. $169) at Ulta
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