Cold winds, harsh heaters and low humidity - winter can cause havoc when it comes to our skin! But with the right seasonal switch-up, you can avoid the dullness, dryness and a little extra sensitivity that winter can bring. From hydration hacks to skincare swaps, keep reading as we share 12 expert beauty tips that will ensure your skin remains healthy and hydrated this season.
1. Overhaul your cleansing routine
This is often the first and most critical step when it comes to your skincare. Your foaming cleanser that felt refreshing in summer might be too harsh for your skin come winter so it’s time to switch to a creamy or milky cleanser that’s hydrating and non-stripping! Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or nourishing oils. These types of cleansers remove impurities without stripping away your skin's vital natural oils.
And be sure you avoid cleansing skin with hot, hot water! While as tempting as it can me (and I most certainly have been guilty in the past!) scorching hot showers and baths strip your skin of its natural protective barrier! Instead stick to lukewarm water for both face and body cleansing.
Top tip: Pat, don't rub, your skin dry after cleansing to retain as much moisture as possible
2. Up the ante with your hydration
Winter calls for a little extra TLC when it comes to your skin. As temperatures drop, you might notice your skin becoming a little dry and fragile and the products that were working wonders in the summer months might no longer be enough, this is where layering your skincare correctly becomes an essential.
After cleansing, and before applying your moisturiser, apply a good hydrating serum to your still damp skin (for optimal absorption). Serums are a must-have in any skincare routine because they deliver high concentrations of active ingredients deep into the skin. Lightweight and fast absorbing, they target specific concerns like dehydration, wrinkles, or dullness, boosting results and enhancing the effectiveness of your moisturiser. Look for ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, or Panthenol (Vitamin B5). These ingredients draw moisture from the air (and from subsequent products) into your skin. Next apply your moisturiser. Subsequently followed by your sunscreen if your day moisturiser doesn’t already include SPF.
3. Upgrade your moisturiser
You might need to up the ante with your day moisturiser by choosing one that is a little richer and nourishing that the one you’ve come to love over the sizzling summer months.
4. Keep using sunscreen
Just because it might be cold and cloudy doesn’t mean the UV rays are gone! Use an SPF 30 or higher daily, especially if you’re using active ingredients like retinol.
Just remember UV radiation contributes to dryness, collagen breakdown, and pigmentation, regardless of the temperature!
5. Use a night cream if you aren’t already
At night, using a good night cream (as opposed to your day moisturiser) can make all the difference to how your skin both looks and feels. This is because night creams are designed to deeply nourish, repair, and hydrate your skin while you sleep, the time when our skin naturally goes into intense regeneration and recovery mode. Unlike your lighter day moisturiser (which focuses more on protecting the skin’s barrier from external stressors like UV rays and pollution), night creams are usually richer in texture, packed with a higher concentration of active and restorative ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and essential vitamins and oils and work to replenish lost moisture and strengthen your barrier overnight so you wake up to soft, smooth and healthy looking skin!
6. A face oil can be essential
After applying your night cream, apply a face oil too. If you don't already use one, winter is the ultimate time to introduce these skin-loving elixirs.
While night creams hydrate and repair, face oils, rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, act like a barrier, strengthening the skin and sealing in all the moisture and active ingredients underneath so your skin gets maximum benefits. They basically provide an extra layer of nourishment and protection that your skin craves during colder months. Plus, they add a beautiful glow and can calm redness or irritation often caused by harsh winter weather.
Think of it like this, your serum and night cream feed your skin, and your face oil protects that nourishment, ensuring your skin wakes up soft, supple, and well-hydrated.
Look for: Oils rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants like Jojoba, Mandarin, Argan, Squalane, Rosehip, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract or Grapefruit Oil.
7. Exfoliate wisely
In winter, exfoliation is just as important as you’ll still need to remove dull, dead skin cells, but the approach needs to be gentler than before. Instead of exfoliating the 2-3 times a week, that you do in summer, once a week should be sufficient. You’ll also want to switch from any harsh physical scrubs with large particles to chemical exfoliants with milder acids like Lactic Acid or PHAs (Polyhydroxy Acids). Enzyme exfoliants are also a great gentle option. If you prefer a physical scrub, ensure it has very fine, uniform particles.
Top tip: Listen to Your Skin! If it’s feeling tight, red, or irritated after exfoliating, you're overdoing it.
8. Apply a mask
Another little luxury for your skin, invaluable all year around but extremely beneficial in winter is a mask!
A good hydrating face mask acts as an intensive treatment, replenishing lost moisture, soothing sensitivity, and reinforcing the skin barrier. Packed with nourishing ingredients, it helps restore softness, glow, and resilience!
9. Winter hair care
Just like the skin on your face, your hair and scalp can also suffer from dryness and static in winter so make sure you are using gentle, hydrating and sulfate-free shampoos and rich conditioners and incorporate a weekly hair treatments to replenish moisture and strengthen strands.
10. Don’t forget your hands!
Unfortunately, the harsh winter weather can leave our often-neglected hands dry, cracked, and uncomfortable! A quality hand cream restores and locks in hydration, creates a protective barrier against environmental stressors, and nourishes skin with ingredients like shea butter, squalane, or natural oils. Regular use not only keeps your hands soft and smooth, but also helps prevent premature ageing and soothes irritation, ensuring your hands stay healthy and resilient throughout the colder months.
11. Stay hydrated from within
Drinking enough water (and herbal teas) helps keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Eating healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and fish can also boost skin hydration.
12. Treat yourself to at-home spa sessions
Warm, relaxing baths with aromatic bath oils or stress-relieving gels are not only calming but deeply nourishing for your skin and soul. Treat yourself to weekly spa-at-home sessions and let your skin (and you!) reap the benefits.
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