Dry Skin in Winter: A Gentle, Natural Care Routine
The Marocraft team · October 3, 2026 · 5 min read
The Marocraft teamOctober 3, 20265 min read
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Dry skin in winter is something almost everyone notices: cheeks that feel tight after washing, rough patches on the legs, hands that never quite feel soft. The good news is that a few gentle changes to how you cleanse, oil and exfoliate can make your skin feel far more comfortable through the cold months.
This guide gives you a simple, natural winter routine for face and body, using traditional Moroccan products and easy habits at home.
Why your skin feels drier in winter
In winter, your skin moves constantly between cold, often windy air outside and warm, heated air indoors. Both tend to be dry, and the contrast leaves many people with skin that feels tight, dull or rough.
Habits change too. Showers get longer and hotter, we wash our hands more often, and wool and thick fabrics rub against the skin. None of this is serious, but together it explains why the routine that worked in summer can feel too harsh in January.
Switch to a gentler cleanser
The first and easiest change is your cleanser. Foaming washes that leave a squeaky-clean feeling can be too stripping in winter. A soap enriched with argan oil, like our natural argan soap, cleanses gently and leaves skin feeling soft and supple rather than tight.
Use lukewarm water, not hot, and keep cleansing short: about thirty seconds of gentle massage is enough. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing it. If your face feels comfortable, you can simply rinse with water in the morning and keep the soap for the evening.
On the driest days, a creamy bar such as the camel milk soap is a lovely alternative for both face and body.
How to build your winter face routine, step by step
The secret of winter face care is applying oil on damp skin. A light, cold-pressed oil such as prickly pear seed oil spreads easily on moist skin and absorbs quickly, so a few drops are enough.
- Cleanse gently: Wash with your argan soap and lukewarm water, then pat dry, leaving the skin slightly damp.
- Add moisture first: Mist your face with rose water or a little plain water. Oil works best on skin that is not bone-dry.
- Press in 2–3 drops of oil: Warm the drops between your palms and press them over your face and neck. Pat until absorbed.
- Protect in the morning: In the morning, follow with your usual moisturiser if you like, and finish with your usual sunscreen, even on grey days.
For a deeper look at this oil, read our guide to prickly pear seed oil benefits, and for a full daily plan, see our natural morning and night skincare routine. Shop the prickly pear seed oil
Winter body care: hammam less often, exfoliate gently
A warm hammam session feels wonderful in winter, but long steam and strong scrubbing can leave dry skin feeling tight. Space your sessions out, keep the steam shorter and choose a nourishing beldi soap such as the black soap with argan, which is made with argan oil and is especially suited to dry skin.
When you use the kessa glove, use lighter pressure and fewer passes than in summer, and never exfoliate dry skin: always after soap and steam. Our kessa glove guide explains the right pressure, and our guide to the Moroccan hammam at home walks you through the full ritual.
After every shower or bath, apply your body oil or cream within a few minutes, while the skin is still slightly damp.
Lips and hands need extra attention
Lips and hands are often the first to feel the cold. Keep a simple lip balm with you and apply it often, especially before going outside. If you love aker fassi, remember it is a natural colour for lips and cheeks, not a balm. Our guide on how to use aker fassi shows how to apply it, and it pairs well with a balm used before bed.
For hands, use lukewarm water, dry them carefully, including between the fingers, and apply a cream or a drop of oil after washing. Wear gloves outdoors when it is cold and windy.
Small habits that help at home
- Turn the temperature down: keep showers lukewarm and reasonably short.
- Add humidity: heated rooms are dry; a humidifier, or simply drying laundry indoors, adds a little moisture to the air.
- Choose soft layers: wear cotton under wool if rough fabrics make your skin feel itchy.
- Keep it consistent: a short routine done every day helps more than an occasional intense one.
What you need
Four products cover your whole winter routine. Find them in our Hammam Ritual and Skin & Body collections:
- Camel milk soap — a creamy, gentle bar for face and body on the driest days.
- Natural argan soap — your everyday gentle cleanser.
- Black soap with argan — a nourishing beldi soap for winter hammam sessions.
- Prickly pear seed oil — 2–3 drops on damp skin every evening.
Not sure which beldi soap suits you? Our guide on how to choose beldi soap compares them. Every order is packed by hand, dispatched within 1 working day and shipped worldwide with FedEx International Priority, with a tracking number. Shop the natural argan soap
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Best sellerFrequently asked questions
Yes. Two or three drops on damp skin every evening is a comfortable rhythm for most people, and one drop in the morning if your skin feels tight.
Less often than in summer. Many people with dry skin prefer every one to two weeks, with lighter pressure on the kessa glove.
Not if you choose a nourishing version, such as black soap with argan, and do not leave it on too long. Always follow with oil or cream on damp skin.
Aker fassi is a colour, not a lip balm. Keep your lips comfortable with a balm, and apply the tint with a lightly damp brush when your lips are smooth.
If your skin cracks, bleeds, itches a lot or does not improve with gentle care, see a doctor or pharmacist. Cosmetics help skin feel comfortable but do not replace medical advice.
