Winter is a season of contrasts: crisp fresh air outside, warm radiators indoors, long hours in front of screens. For many of us, the cold months bring not only dry skin but also eye discomfort. The delicate skin around the eyes is particularly vulnerable to harsh winds and indoor heating, and for contact lens wearers, extra care is essential to maintain comfort and eye health.
With thoughtful adjustments to your routine, you can protect your eyes and skin while enjoying everything winter has to offer. Here, we dive into winter skincare and eye care tips to keep your eyes and the delicate skin that surrounds them hydrated, comfortable and protected all winter long.
Winter skin care – caring for the skin around your eyes
Think of winter skin care not as a full wardrobe overhaul but as slipping a cashmere coat over a favourite outfit. The essentials stay the same, yet the added protection becomes non-negotiable. As temperatures drop, oily skin can suddenly feel parched, dry skin can tip into discomfort and sensitive skin can rebel with stinging or itching, even from trusted products.
Harsh winds, low humidity and central heating collectively dim the skin’s natural radiance. The barrier – your complexion’s own winter coat – takes the brunt of the season, often becoming compromised or unbalanced.
And nowhere feels this more acutely than the periocular area. The skin around the eyes is thinner, more delicate and far more prone to dryness and fine lines when the cold sets in.
This is the moment to reach for ingredients that actively bolster the barrier.
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Ceramides help replenish the skin’s natural lipids, restoring resilience.
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Niacinamide – a quiet overachiever – calms redness, strengthens the barrier and supports overall skin health, making it a winter essential.
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Humectants such as hyaluronic acid and classic glycerin draw moisture back into weather-worn skin, countering both icy commutes and dry indoor air.
You’ll find many of these not only in skincare but woven through makeup, SPF and even certain haircare products.
And remember: winter light still carries enough UV to chip away at collagen and inflame an already-fragile barrier. A daily broad-spectrum SPF remains non-negotiable. Opt for a formula enriched with glycerin or other hydrating ingredients so it doubles as a moisturiser on busy mornings and sits comfortably under makeup.
Choose eye-safe skin care
A word of warning! Not every cream or serum plays nicely with contact lenses. Fragrance, essential oils and certain active ingredients can migrate into the eye, causing irritation or discomfort. Opt for gentle, ophthalmologist-tested formulas and keep application to the orbital bone rather than the immediate lash line.
A light, fragrance-free eye cream can help maintain elasticity and hydration through the season. Apply with a soft tap of your ring finger and always after inserting your lenses to avoid residue transferring onto the lens surface.
If you’re unsure, consult your optician
Winter skin care tips: integrating eye and skincare routines
When it comes to lenses and winter skincare, sequence is everything. For the smoothest, safest routine:
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Wash hands thoroughly.
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Insert daily disposable contact lenses.
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Apply eye-safe creams or serums around the orbital bone.
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Continue with the rest of your skincare and makeup.
This order helps prevent product migration into the eyes, preserves lens clarity and keeps your skin – and vision – comfortably supported throughout the day. We’ve written comprehensively about wearing makeup with contact lenses – dive deeper here.
Winter eye care tips – keeping eyes comfortable and protected
Winter can be beautiful, but it isn’t always kind to our eyes. Cold winds, dry central heating and harsher light conditions all place extra demands on ocular comfort. A few thoughtful adjustments can make all the difference to how your eyes feel and function through the season.
Hydration is key
Winter is a thirsty season for the whole body. Cold air and central heating pull moisture from both skin and eyes, making hydration essential.
Regular water intake helps maintain overall comfort, while preservative-free lubricating drops can keep eyes soothed throughout the day.
Limit the heat in your home
As temperatures drop, cranking the heating up feels irresistible, but overly warm indoor environments can intensify dry-eye symptoms. Instead, dial the thermostat down a few degrees and, if needed, use a humidifier to reintroduce moisture into the air.
If dryness persists, speak with your optometrist to understand the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
Protect your eyes outdoors
Winter light can be surprisingly sharp. Low sun, reflective pavements and even frost can create strong glare and increased UV exposure.
Sunglasses act as both a wind shield and UV barrier; wraparound styles are especially helpful for contact lens wearers.
Use extra light where needed
Shorter days mean less natural light, which can strain your eyes during close-up tasks like reading or crafting. A focused lamp or task light can reduce fatigue and keep your vision comfortable throughout darker months.
Take breaks when using devices
Colder weather often means more time indoors – and more screen time. Extended use of smartphones, tablets or computers can exacerbate dryness or discomfort.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule – we’ve written all about it in this blog – every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This small habit can significantly ease eye strain.
Comfort and care, all winter long
Winter shouldn’t mean compromised comfort. By combining thoughtful skincare choices, hydration and simple protective measures, you can protect your eyes and maintain lens comfort, even during the coldest months. With daysoft daily disposable lenses and a mindful winter routine, your eyes stay healthy, hydrated and happy.
Discover the comfort of daysoft daily disposable lenses – perfect for winter protection and all-day hydration. Find your lenses today.
