How to Do Effective Skincare in Winters — AM & PM Routines That Actually Work

Winter brings dry air, indoor heating, and fluctuating temperatures — all of which strip moisture, weaken the skin barrier, and make sensitivity, flakiness and dullness worse. A winter skincare routine should focus on hydration, barrier repair, gentle exfoliation and protection — not piling on more products.

Below are simple, effective AM and PM routines for winter plus clear reasons why CLARIV products fit naturally into each step.

Winter skincare — core principles

• Prioritize hydration & barrier repair. Use humectants (hyaluronic acid), occlusives (ceramides, richer moisturizers) and soothing actives (allantoin, aloe).

• Cut back on harsh exfoliation. Winter skin is more fragile — favor mild chemical exfoliants or reduce frequency.

• Keep antioxidant protection. Pollution + cold still cause oxidative damage — antioxidants help.

• Don’t skip sunscreen. UV exists year-round and worsens pigmentation. A lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen is best in winter.

Morning (AM) — Simple 5-step routine

1. Gentle cleanser
Use a mild, non-stripping gel or cream cleanser. Aim to remove night-time products and sweat without overdrying.

2. Hydrating toner / water-based hydrator (optional)
If your skin is very dry, a hydrating toner with glycerin/betaine helps bind moisture.

3. Antioxidant serum: CLARIV Vitamin C Serum
Apply 3–4 drops of CLARIV Vitamin C Serum to damp skin. Vitamin C adds antioxidant protection, brightens winter-dulled skin and supports collagen — helping skin look fresher despite cold-induced dullness. CLARIV’s formula with stable Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid and Ferulic Acid is lightweight and suitable under moisturizers.

Why here: Antioxidants combat environmental stress and help maintain radiance during the season when skin often looks lackluster.

4. Moisturizer (rich yet non-comedogenic)
Choose a moisturizer with ceramides, glycerin and fatty acids. In winter, you can step up to a slightly richer formula but avoid pore-clogging heavy oils if you’re prone to breakouts.

5. Sunscreen: CLARIV Sunscreen
Even in winter, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. CLARIV’s gel-based SPF 50 (no white cast, water/sweat resistant, contains niacinamide + hyaluronic acid) provides protection without heaviness — ideal for layering in colder months. Reapply when outdoors for long periods. Clariv sunscreen

Evening (PM) — Repair, replenish, treat

1. Double-cleanse if wearing sunscreen or makeup
Start with an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm (if you wore heavy sunscreen), then follow with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove residue without stripping.

2. Targeted treatment: alternate based on need

• For brightening & antioxidant boost: use CLARIV Vitamin C Serum (if your skin tolerates Vitamin C at night).

• For stubborn dark spots / pigmentation flare-ups in winter: use CLARIV Anti-Pigmentation Serum (contains alpha arbutin, kojic acid, tranexamic acid and niacinamide) — apply on pigmented areas. Its actives work well while you repair the barrier overnight.

Tip: Don’t layer the strongest actives together (e.g., retinoid + strong chemical exfoliant + high % acids) on the same night. Alternate nights if using multiple actives.

3. Hydrating serum or ampoule
Use a hyaluronic-acid based serum to pull moisture into the skin.

4. Richer night cream / barrier cream
Seal in hydration with a cream containing ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids or petrolatum (for very dry skin). This helps the skin repair overnight.

5. Eye cream & lip care
Use a nourishing eye cream and a hydrating lip balm nightly — winter often shows first in these areas.

Weekly extras (1–2x per week)

• Gentle exfoliation: Use a mild AHA (e.g., low % lactic acid) or enzyme exfoliant once a week to remove flake build-up. Skip mechanical scrubs that irritate.

• Hydrating mask: A sheet mask or sleeping mask with hyaluronic acid, glycerin or ceramides once a week restores plumpness.

• Spot treatments: Use CLARIV Anti-Pigmentation serum on dark spots as a nightly spot treatment (follow instructions).

How to layer CLARIV products logically in winter

• AM: Cleanser → CLARIV Vitamin C Serum → Moisturizer → CLARIV Sunscreen.

• PM (brightening focus): Cleanser → Hydrating serum → CLARIV Vitamin C Serum → Rich moisturizer.

• PM (pigmentation focus): Cleanser → CLARIV Anti-Pigmentation Serum on spots/areas → Hydrating serum → Barrier cream.

Product notes & winter-friendly reasoning

• Why Vitamin C (CLARIV) in winter? Cold air + indoor heating increases oxidative stress and dullness. A stable Vitamin C (Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) brightens and defends without heavy oils, making it excellent for layering.

• Why keep sunscreen? Winter sun + reflective UV can still deepen pigmentation and cause damage. A lightweight CLARIV SPF 50 protects without feeling greasy.

• Why use Anti-Pigmentation serum? Pigmentation often appears worse after winter when skin peels or becomes uneven. CLARIV Anti-Pigmentation serum has targeted actives (kojic acid, alpha arbutin, tranexamic acid, niacinamide) to tackle spots while you restore the barrier. Use as directed.

Common winter mistakes to avoid

• Over-washing or using hot water — strips natural oils.

• Skipping sunscreen because it's cold.

• Layering too many harsh actives — causes sensitivity and flaking.

• Ignoring barrier repair (ceramides, occlusives) — this is the most important step in winter.

Quick routines you can copy-paste

Simple winter AM (5 steps): Cleanser → Hydrating toner → CLARIV Vitamin C Serum → Moisturizer → CLARIV Sunscreen.

Simple winter PM (4 steps): Cleanser → CLARIV Anti-Pigmentation Serum (if treating spots) or hydrating serum → Rich night cream → Lip balm.

Final takeaway

Winter calls for less aggressive and more nourishing skincare. Keep your routine simple, focus on hydration and barrier repair, use antioxidants to maintain glow, and never ditch sunscreen. CLARIV’s Vitamin C Serum, Anti-Pigmentation Serum and Sunscreen slot into a winter routine naturally — offering antioxidant protection, targeted spot treatment and lightweight sun defense without feeling heavy.