Our Best Winter Skincare Tips

So, winter is on its way, and while snowflakes are welcome, dry flakes...not so much.

As the weather changes, often, so does your skin, with increased dryness and sensitivity being just a couple of concerns you might have at this time of year.

This is why curating an effective winter skincare routine could be the key to a healthy-looking, hydrated complexion.

We’ve compiled our top winter skincare tips to help you make subtle yet meaningful changes as the colder weather approaches.

Our Best Skincare Tips for Winter

If you already have a sturdy skincare routine, you’ll likely only need minor adjustments for winter.

Here are our five tips to maintain healthy-looking skin during the colder months:

Choose a Hydrating Cleanser

The cold may be leaving your skin feeling dry and dull...that’s where a good cleanser steps in.

Cleansing isn’t just about clearing away the day – it creates a blank canvas for the rest of your routine to work on.

When choosing a cleanser, you may want to consider one with hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is particularly beneficial for dry skin as it retains moisture and improves skin elasticity.

Double cleansing has been a popular topic recently, but it’s not for everyone. If you have dry skin, you might find that less is more. For example, cleansing balms are very gentle and designed to remove makeup while nourishing your skin.

However, if you’re committed to double cleansing, we recommend following your oil-based cleanser with a hydrating one for an extra moisture boost.

Hydrate Inside and Out

Dry skin needs extra care during the colder months and keeping it hydrated is key to maintaining a healthy glow.

Moisturiser could help to smooth, hydrate, and repair the skins barrier. Opt for a thicker consistency for added hydration, especially those containing nourishing ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, and glycerin.

If you have dry skin, you may want to steer away from lightweight or gel-based moisturisers, as they may not provide the TLC your skin needs.

Expert Tip: For optimal results, apply moisturiser after a bath, shower, or cleansing while your skin is still damp to increase its effectiveness.

Exfoliate Wisely

Exfoliating is the secret to keeping your skin smooth and glowing, even when the temperature drops.

It may help to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and therefore provide a clean base for your other products to do their jobs.

However, over-exfoliating could cause a temporary disruption of the skin barrier. Tight and scaly skin could be signs that you need to lay off the exfoliator.

To support healthy-looking skin, we recommend using a gentle chemical exfoliant like lactic acid, and for those with sensitive skin, it may be best to limit exfoliating to once or twice a week.

Protect Your Lips

We've all dealt with chapped lips, and let’s face it – they’re no fun. But the right lip balm could work wonders!

To keep your pout intact, reach for a thick balm like petroleum jelly – it soothes, protects, and heals. Other lip-loving ingredients like ceramides, dimethicone, and shea butter could also help keep your lips soft and hydrated.

The beauty of lip balm? You can apply it anytime your lips feel a bit dry. For extra TLC, apply it before bed and let it soak in overnight.

Note: If your lips are already chapped, try not to lick them – it can make things worse!

Don’t Skip SPF

You’re likely aware of the benefits of SPF - it’s seen as a summer essential. However, as the cooler months come around, it often gets pushed to the back of the cupboard – especially in the UK.

Even though we may not see much sun, harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays are always present (even if it doesn’t feel like it), and we need to protect our skin year-round.

We recommend applying SPF daily, especially to the face, hands, and anywhere that experiences a lot of exposure.

With these winter skin tips, you could help your skin transition into the colder months with ease