Top Winter Skincare Tips From San Diego Wellness Experts Who Know Our Climate

In San Diego, "winter" is less a season and more a fluctuating atmospheric mood. One morning you’re waking up to the crisp, bone-dry air of a Santa Ana wind event that siphons every drop of moisture from your pores; the next, you’re navigating a humid, rainy gray afternoon or a surprisingly warm 80-degree day by the coast.

This constant environmental oscillation makes it incredibly difficult to dial in a consistent routine. Are we hydrating? Are we protecting against heat? Are we repairing a wind-stripped barrier? To help you navigate the confusion, we spoke with five of San Diego's leading wellness practitioners ranging from board-certified physicians to holistic estheticians to get their essential winter skincare tips for the 2026 season.

While it’s tempting to reach for the thickest balm on the shelf when the Santa Anas kick up, Sabrina Kim warns against the "more is more" approach. "Yes, over-moisturizing is possible, even in winter," Kim explains. "When a product is too heavy or overly occlusive for your skin type, it can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, slowing normal processes such as cell turnover and sebum regulation. The goal in winter isn’t to apply the richest cream possible, but to thoughtfully support the barrier." She notes that if your skin feels paradoxically dry once a product wears off, or if you notice small bumps and dullness, you might be suffocating your skin.

For winter skincare tips that maintain glow without compromising the skin, Kim emphasizes gentle exfoliation. “Fruit enzymes like papaya, pumpkin, and pineapple dissolve dead skin cells without friction,” she says. For acids, she favors low-percentage lactic or mandelic acid. “Lactic acid exfoliates while acting as a humectant, and mandelic acid is ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin because it penetrates slowly.”

She’s also quick to dispel hydration myths. “Oil doesn’t hydrate—it seals,” Kim says. “True hydration comes from water-binding ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and panthenol.” Her favorite trick? Applying hydrating serums to slightly damp skin. “When water is already present, humectants can work far more effectively.”

Even sunscreen deserves reconsideration in winter. “San Diego’s UVA exposure stays high year-round,” she says. Kim notes that mineral SPFs are often better tolerated during colder months, especially for sensitive or post-procedure skin, while chemical SPFs should be paired with barrier-supportive ingredients to avoid dryness.

“Ayurveda always asks us to be present where we are,” says Zarah Kravitz, an Ayurvedic practitioner with more than 17 years of international experience. “San Diego is a desert-meets-the-city situation, and our winters don’t behave like winters elsewhere.”Kravitz explains that San Diego’s winter sits in a subtle transition between Vata and Kapha seasons. The Santa Ana winds, though warm, are deeply drying and “very Vata-aggravating,” while rainy, overcast days bring Kapha’s heaviness and congestion. “It’s not extreme like the rest of the country,” she says, “but the fluctuations are real, and our skin feels that instability.”

From an Ayurvedic perspective, winter skincare starts internally. “The skin is our largest organ, and it has to digest what we put on it—both externally and internally,” Kravitz says. She cautions against heavy, cold creams that sit on the skin without being absorbed. “Those thick lotions are often Kapha-aggravating. They’re heavy, cool, and not digestible for the skin, which can lead to congestion or breakouts.”Instead, she recommends doing a warm oil application, or abhyanga, using oils like sesame, almond, apricot, or rose. “When the oil is warmed and massaged into the skin, the skin can actually drink it,” she says. “You want the skin to digest the oil, not have it sit on the surface.” A warm room, long massage strokes, and a steamy shower afterward help the oil absorb deeply.

Nutrition is just as important. “Dryness is best treated with fat,” Kravitz explains. Ghee is her winter staple, used both internally and externally. “Ghee is a carrier as it drives herbs and nutrients into the deeper layers of tissue,” she says. “It hydrates the skin from the inside out.” She also encourages cooked foods, warming spices, and avoiding excessive cold water, which can dampen digestion and contribute to puffiness.

Zarah’s Winter Hydration Tonic: To keep your internal fire bright and skin supple, mix citrus juice, honey, dried ginger, a pinch of rock salt, and a tiny bit of black pepper or chili pepper in warm water.

“It hydrates without extinguishing your digestive fire,” she says. “In winter, that balance is everything.”

From a clinical standpoint, Dr. Kristin Dean sees one mistake more than any other: over-stripping. "The most common mistake is over-exfoliating in an attempt to 'fix' dryness," Dr. Dean says. "This strips the skin's lipid barrier, and the skin becomes more dehydrated, inflamed, and sensitive. Result: dull, crepey texture and fine lines look deeper." She notes that when the barrier is compromised, your skin literally cannot hold onto water, making you look prematurely aged.

For those using heavy hitters like Retinoids or Vitamin C, Dr. Dean suggests a "seasonal shift" rather than quitting. "Buffer with moisturizer: apply moisturizer first, wait 10 minutes, then apply your retinoid. It reduces irritation without reducing efficacy." She also highlights the importance of humidifying your environment. "Indoor heating drops humidity to 10-20%, which is drier than the Sahara Desert. Use a humidifier in the bedroom to aim for 40-50%."

Dr. Kristin Dean’s Winter "Glo Protocol"

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the skin is a map of internal health. "If your Spleen meridian is weak, it presents as sagging skin because the Spleen is in charge of holding everything up," says Dr. Brielle Salamone. To combat winter dryness, she looks to the pantry. "In Chinese medicine, we are big on Tremella mushroom—it’s basically nature’s hyaluronic acid. You soak this sponge-like mushroom and put it in your soups to hydrate your skin internally."

Dr. Salamone also recommends a breakfast of stewed pears with honey to "moisten the lungs" and the skin, while cautioning against San Diego’s favorite vice: iced coffee. "Coffee can be super drying and create fine lines earlier. Switch to warm herbal teas instead of cold, iced drinks."

For those looking for a seasonal refresh, she suggests cosmetic acupuncture. "It’s a great alternative to Botox because it brings circulation and energizes the muscle, keeping the integrity of the tissue strong and healthy."

For a ritualistic approach to winter skincare tips, Jayde Reynolds looks to the power of botanical infusions. "My top three picks for San Diego's winter months are Nettle, Devil’s Claw, and Butcher’s Broom," Reynolds says. "Nettle is like a vitamin boost, high in iron, while Devil’s Claw and Butcher’s Broom help with anti-inflammatory support and detoxing."

While these herbs make excellent teas or tinctures, Reynolds highly recommends a facial steam to navigate the dry San Diego air. "It’s an easy way to give yourself self-care. Add the herbs to a bowl of steaming hot water, put a towel over your head, and just breathe for five to ten minutes. It allows the skin to absorb the herbal properties while deeply hydrating the pores."

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DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. 

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