Wait a few minutes after coming indoors before applying skincare

You should wait a few minutes after coming indoors before applying skincare, especially in cold weather. Jumping straight into your routine the second you walk in the door usually isn’t doing you any favors.

When you’re outside in the cold, your skin’s blood vessels constrict to conserve heat. That means surface circulation is low, pores are tight, and your skin isn’t ready to absorb anything well. If you slap on a serum or moisturizer immediately, a lot of it just sits on top. Worse, some ingredients can irritate skin that’s still cold and dehydrated.

Give it five to ten minutes. Let your skin warm up, let the blood flow come back. You’ll notice your face feels less tight and more receptive. Products sink in better, and you won’t get that greasy “nothing’s absorbing” feeling. Plus, if you’ve been wearing a mask or scarf, that gives the skin time to breathe off any trapped moisture.

Your skin will thank you for the pause.