Summer Skin is Made in Winter: The Science of Seasonal Skincare with Murad

They say abs are made in the kitchen, but glowing summer skin? That’s made in winter.

While it might seem like your dewy, sun-kissed summer glow is the result of good genes or a few lucky beach days, the truth is that healthy, radiant skin starts months before the summer sun ever arrives. Winter is the foundation-building season for your skin—when care, consistency, and protection matter most.

Understanding why means taking a deeper look at your skin’s physiology—and why Murad’s science-backed skincare is uniquely positioned to help you transition beautifully between seasons.

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🧬 The Physiology of Winter Skin: What Happens Beneath the Surface

Your skin is an incredibly smart, dynamic organ. It’s your first line of defense against the outside world, constantly working to maintain hydration, barrier function, and repair. But in winter, that job gets a lot harder.

Here’s why:

• Lower humidity + indoor heating = dehydrated skin.
  Winter air is cold and dry. When paired with indoor heating, it pulls moisture from the skin, leaving it tight, flaky, and dull.

• Reduced sebum production = compromised barrier.
  Your sebaceous (oil) glands slow down in colder weather, leading to a weaker lipid barrier, making it easier for irritants to penetrate and water to escape.

• Circulation slows, cell turnover decreases.
  Cold temperatures can reduce microcirculation, leading to sluggish skin metabolism and slower shedding of dead skin cells—hello, dullness.

• SPF is often neglected.
  Just because you don’t feel the sun’s warmth doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t present. UVA rays—responsible for ageing—are year-round and penetrate clouds and glass.

The result? A perfect storm of dehydration, sensitivity, and early signs of ageing—unless you treat your skin differently in winter.

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❄️ Winter is Prep Season for Radiant Summer Skin

Think of winter skincare like off-season training. This is the time to repair, fortify, and hydrate—so when summer rolls around, your skin is already resilient, glowing, and ready for the sun.

Here’s how Murad Skincare helps you do just that—with dermatologist-developed, clinically tested solutions that work in harmony with your skin’s biology.

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💧 1. Hydrate Deeply: Murad Restorative Hydro-Hyaluronic Cream

Why it works:
Formulated with hyaluronic acid, coconut extract, and shea butter, this luxurious cream delivers 24-hour hydration to plump skin and strengthen the barrier—critical in dry winter months.

Winter benefit:
It prevents trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), keeping your skin supple and reducing fine lines caused by dehydration.

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🧴 2. Rebuild the Barrier: Murad Intense Recovery Cream

Why it works:
This balm-like formula with shea butter, microalgae extract, and mirabilis jalapa plant is a savior for sensitive, compromised skin. It soothes irritation and visibly reduces redness from winter dryness.

Winter benefit:
Supports the skin’s recovery process and reinforces its resilience ahead of sun and heat exposure.

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🌟 3. Exfoliate Gently: Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Why it works:
A triple-acid blend (glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids) buffs away dead skin cells while jojoba beads offer physical exfoliation without microtears.

Winter benefit:
Boosts cell turnover, removes flaky buildup, and preps the skin to absorb hydrating treatments more effectively.

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🛡️ 4. Never Skip SPF: Murad City Skin Primer Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50

Why it works:

This mineral sunscreen offers advanced environmental protection against UVA/UVB, blue light, and pollution. The peach tint also provides a subtle radiance and color-correcting effect, making it a great primer under makeup.

Winter benefit:
While UVB (burning) rays are weaker in winter, UVA (aging) rays are constant year-round. This formula keeps your skin shielded from daily damage—even through clouds, glass, and screens.

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🧠 5. Treat from the Inside Out: The Murad Philosophy

Dr. Howard Murad has always believed that skincare is healthcare. His whole-body wellness approach includes internal support for skin health—hydration, nutrition, stress management, and supplementation.

In winter, this inside-out care is even more important. A few tips inspired by Dr. Murad:

• Drink plenty of water (and eat water-rich foods like cucumber and berries)

• Get omega-3s for lipid barrier health

• De-stress daily to reduce cortisol-driven skin aging

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☀️ Your Summer Glow Starts Now

Don’t wait until the first pool day to start thinking about glowing skin. The effort you put in during winter is what sets the stage for skin that can handle heat, sun, and long summer days with confidence.

With Murad’s targeted winter care solutions, you're not just treating seasonal symptoms—you’re building strong, healthy, and beautiful skin that lasts long after the snow melts.

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Treat your skin smarter this winter—your future summer self will thank you.