I’ve always struggled with dry skin. When I lived in windy Chicago, it was dry. And when I moved to CA, I expected the humidity in the salty beach air to change that. Sadly, no matter what I changed, my skin was still dry and flaky. Somehow since switching from more products to a better tool, namely my 5x weekly ritual with the ZIIP HALO, I’ve not only needed less products, but my skin actually thrives on my daily ZIIP facial more than it ever did on products.
Now I skip most complicated products and just stick with my facials and my unusual winter habits.
Scroll down for all my unusual habits below!
In fact, right now I’m doing ZIIP’s “Skin Barrier Repair” treatment and only using the Silver Gel for my treatments and vaseline on my face! Sometimes less is more! Strangely, my skin has never felt more hydrated in winter than it does now–without using a single $100+ cream or skipping a hot shower or bath.
When ZIIP sent the new HALO 2.0 to try this season, I was so excited to see how it built on the device I already loved. The original HALO was already a game-changer for me—it’s been my desert island must-have for almost four years. But the 2.0 has an upgrade I didn’t even know I wanted–the internals have completely upgraded. See chart here:
The biggest upgrade I’ve noticed is how much more effective each treatment is at producing more collagen. My skin looks more plump and hydrated. They’ve done a clinical study of the new device to find wrinkles and fine lines are reduced by 28% with consistent use, and my skin feels plumper and less prone to tightness so I would agree.
I do think the gels are basically a facial in a tube, tailored to different needs, so I know that step helps too! The Hyaluronic acid focused Silver Gel boosts moisture and strengthens skin. SO good for the dry months.
Unlike most electrical beauty devices, every app treatment on the HALO 2.0 has a completely unique waveform, which determines how the electrical current interacts with your skin. For example, the “Skin Barrier Repair” treatment uses a specific waveform combo for cellular strengthening and hydration, while “Collagen Boost” targets texture and elasticity with a different waveform.
This customization is why I can switch between treatments and see real differences—my dehydrated skin gets exactly what it needs.In my routine, I do 5 sessions a week: Glass Skin is one of my favorite treatment plans for overall glow with the silver gel. It heals my redness and the Skin Barrier Repair protocol is the chef’s kiss.
This isn’t just a device—it’s the reason my skin finally feels hydrated through the coldest months. (Working with ZIIP this season has been fun—they know I only share what I actually use and love.)
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But as much as I want to say one tool fixes dry skin permanently, I’d be lying. There’s always some synergy needed between your tools, products, environment, and diet. I think I’ve finally gotten it right.
I’ve curated a lineup of unconventional tips that deliver real hydration without the sacrifices. If your winter dry skin is screaming for rescue from parched, dry prone skin—these aren’t your grandma’s remedies, but game-changers that keep my complexion glowing through the winter white weather. Okay, I might be making grandma proud after all—that’s just a bonus.
Here’s my hydration skincare routine
Add moisture to the air
While your skincare is doing wonders for your skin, absorption decreases if your skin becomes dehydrated during the night. With all our heaters running during the low temps outside, this is when our spaces are zapped of moisture most, leaving skin parched.
I am for 45% humidity—it’s the sweet spot for water content without inviting mold.
Not only will your skin thank you, but science backs 40-60% for cutting down on flu bugs too.
Personally, I add a drop of tea tree oil to mine, but check your humidifier booklet if you can and skip it if you have pets. This simple tweak will transform your nights into a winter skin care glow fest.
Gentle Exfoliation
Gentle exfoliation can increase our skin hydration when we do it right since dry winter air slows cell turnover by up to 30%. Sadly, we can also cause water loss to our skin barrier when we overdo it. I’ve found the sweet spot is once a week on my self care day.
I do a full body (I’m obsessed with Nerra’s ritual and face exfoliation.
One of my favorite rituals is steaming my face weekly since steaming boosts circulation and tames inflammation. Added benefit for exfoliation: It softens the skin for easier, gentler removal of flaky skin.
My go-to is applying Arcona’s Gentle Solution (glycolic acid and lactic acid for that sting-free glow) before bed. Studies show 5% lactic can increase hydration 20–30% and support collagen so it’s a must in my winter cabinet. Personally I stay away from salicylic acid, but I know sometimes that’s recommended too for certain skin types.
Stubborn dry patches from dehydrated skin? Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant with oatmeal and rice enzymes dissolves buildup without abrasion—enzymatic exfoliants are up to 50% gentler on dry skin and preserve your barrier. Finish any physical exfoliators with a hydrating cleanser (so no loose skin cells remain) and occlusive moisturizer while skin’s primed—your skin drinks everything in, leaving it feeling baby-soft and luminous.
Pamper Your Lips with a DIY Exfoliating Scrub
Chapped lips are winter’s cruel joke, but this easy mix fixes it: One tablespoon each of honey, olive oil, and sugar. Gently scrub away the dead skin, then lock it in with lip balm or another dab of olive oil. If you have the ZIIP Halo, do the “ZIIP Lips” treatment to bring extra circulation to your lips while the gel ingredients will deliver some extra nutrients.
Don’t Skip Sunscreen
Yes, even when it’s snowing, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun. I check the UV index daily to time my vitamin D walks, but I also cap my sun exposure to protect against a compromised moisture barrier and fine lines. Too much effort? Just make broad-spectrum SPF part of your morning routine—snow reflects UV rays like a mirror, quietly accelerating wrinkles even on gray days.
Lock in Moisture with an Occlusive Barrier
No skincare products beat the dehydrating winter assault like an occlusive shield. Adding a whisper-thin layer of petroleum jelly is my go to when my skin is a bit reactive (I have a sensitive skin type). I also sometimes mix a drop of nourishing oil, like castor oil, into my lotion or with water when I need to lean in on the hydrating serums.
Pro tip: Occlusives and water don’t mix, but they also seal in whatever hydrator you put on underneath. Needless to say, I don’t put occlusives on my skin dry. My skin always feels so much more hydrated when I emulsify my occlusives.
Hydrating Foods
The Gut-Skin axis is one of the most powerful ways to improve your skin health. By focusing your diet on foods that help your skin, your skin hydration will improve, your complexion will glow, and your fine lines will become less pronounced.
Fatty foods like sardines are particularly notable for the glow because of the high omega 3’s for plumper skin.
Water-rich foods such as cucumbers, melons, and berries will up your entire body’s hydration so much that some will even count it as a glass of water. And don’t forget to opt for Vitamin E foods such as avocados and cold-pressed olive oil help your skin retain moisture for the long haul, preventing premature aging. If you can snag freshly milled wheat, that’s my personal favorite Vitamin E supplement. Not only does it have 40 of the 44 essential nutrients, but it did wonders for my gut healing, which contributed to my healthy skin changes. Raw milk brings even more essential nutrients to the table and adds some more essential fat. And for an enviable elasticity boost, consume collagen-rich broth or protein powders for youthful hair, skin, and nails.
One more thing on this topic. I recently added Dr. Davis’s Super Gut Yogurt (recipes in his book) to my routine and I can testify my skin health and protective barrier has improved. Totally worth the read!
Fresh Ginger Tea
Perhaps an unusual suggestion for hydrating the skin, but I swear by sipping high concentrations of fresh ginger tea daily for winter glow and less redness. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory for the whole body that will even combat skin redness. By improving whole body blood flow, it delivers nutrients straight to your skin for better hydration and radiance.
My sister-in-law uses this recipe for the cold and flu season, but I’ve continued to use it after noticing how effective it is against dull winter skin.
Trade Some Showers for a Bath Salt Soak
Epsom salt baths are my 3x weekly winter ritual no matter how many gurus say not to use hot water. Epsom salts help the body absorb magnesium for serious hydration. I usually mix my salts with Dead Sea salts, which hydrate, exfoliate, detox, and reinforce your barrier while acting as a natural occlusive. My cracked heels vanished after making this a habit. If eczema’s your nemesis, these soaks are soothing gold—trust me, your skin will thank you.
Boost Lymphatic Drainage
Lymph nodes can get sluggish year-round, but winter’s chill makes it worse, leading to puffiness and dullness. My go-to facial fix? The ZIIP Halo tool—it’s like a magnet pulling out the stagnation for instant drainage. If tech isn’t your thing, try manual gua sha or dry brushing your face to rev up circulation and drainage as part of your winter skincare routine.
I love using ZIIP’s “Glass Skin” treatment plan on the app and pairing it with their silver gel for the best hydration. If redness tags along with your dry skin, switch to the “Heal” treatment—it tackles lymphatic lag while fortifying your skin barrier against the elements.
For a full body boost, try a vibration plate! The drainage difference is wild. So far I’ve tried the Nautilus Vibratone Pro Series Fitness Vibration Board and could physically feel everything moving.
Harness Nanocurrent
Consistency with my ZIIP Halo has been a game-changer as a dehydrated skin treatment. The microcurrent lifts and moves all the lymphatic fluid that gets stuck, and the nanocurrent ATP boosts my collagen and elastin production in a noticeable way. My skin’s natural healing improved dramatically after starting nanocurrent in my routine.
It’s like giving your skin a winter workout—repairing from within for that resilient, bouncy feel. I’ve found it to be especially helpful in treating dehydrated skin because the blood flow increases, the gels hydrate my skin when I’m feeling tight, and the glow I get is a permanent state of being–not just when I go get a facial.
There you have it—my battle-tested, winter skin care tips and secrets. From Chicago’s frosty cold weather to wherever you’re braving the cold, these changes have kept my sensitive skin happy during the winter months and cold dry air.
What do you do to keep your dehydrated skin healthy? Does your dehydrated skin change in the summer? What’s your sun protection strategy? Have you embraced water based moisturizers? Thick creams? Oil? Tell me how you are protecting your skin below!
Use VANILLAZIIP for 10% off ZIIP HALO and all ZIIP gels during checkout
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