How to switch up your skincare routine for winter
October 19, 2022
3 min read
We may be used to switching our summer and winter wardrobes, but what about our skincare routines? Low temperatures, central heating and lack of humidity are abundant in winter, and all contribute to winter skin concerns such as dryness and irritation. If you notice your skin changing in the colder months, you could benefit from a few routine adjustments. Before we get into skincare switches, let’s be clear, you don’t need a whole new skincare routine, just a few tweaks can keep your skin radiant and comfortable.
What is good for skin in cold weather?
So, what should your winter skincare routine look like? The simple answer is skincare products with formulas that hydrate skin. Just think about trying to add in moisture at every step of your routine. Let’s start with your cleanse: choose a cleanser that removes dirt, oil, SPF and make up without stripping essential moisture. Formulas that contain moisturising ingredients such as cocoa butter – such as our bestselling Cleanse & Polish™ Hot Cloth Cleanser – give skin a hydration boost while you cleanse – to give skin a hydration boost while you cleanse.
Another hydration hit? A toner that replenishes skin with moisture post-cleanse to avoid tight-feeling skin should be a staple in your winter skin routine. Our Instant Boost™ Skin Tonic is gentle, non-drying, alcohol-free and delivers an instant boost of soothing hydration that weather-beaten skin will love.
When it comes to your winter skincare routine, it should come as no surprise that moisturising is a crucial step. While hydration doesn’t have to be heavy – featherlight formulas are our summer go-to – you may consider switching your regular moisturiser for one with a richer texture to deliver more intensive nourishment. Some of our best moisturisers for winter are the Skin Repair™ moisturisers. These come in three different textures to deliver up to 72 hours of intensive, balanced or refreshing hydration, just pick the texture that works for your skin.
Tailor your routine with add-on products
A consistent cleanse, tone, moisturise routine forms the foundation of healthy-looking skin year-round. If you find that your skin needs a little extra moisture or if you want to tackle a specific skin concern in your winter skincare routine, a serum or mask can provide that little bit of extra care. Some common winter skin complaints are dry, flaky and irritated skin, so applying a replenishing oil such as our Superskin™ Concentrate for Night or a moisturising mask like Hydrating Cream Mask provides the extra nourishment your skin needs to stay healthy-looking.
Do you need to exfoliate skin in winter?
Exfoliating is an important skincare step, but when the weather gets colder you may find yourself reaching for your exfoliator less and less. Gently exfoliating your skin on a regular basis is great for skin all year round. By removing dull, dead skin cells you not only reveal the smoother, healthier-looking skin underneath, but any serums or moisturisers that you apply will sink in and get to work faster because they don’t need to work their way through a layer of dead skin cells first.
Winter skincare for your body
Skincare doesn’t stop at the neck – and your routine shouldn’t either. Just like your face, the skin on your body may feel particularly dry in winter. How do you combat winter dryness on your body? In much the same way as you would with the skin on your face. Boost your skin’s hydration levels by regularly exfoliating and moisturising, pay particular attention to elbows, knees, ankles and any other areas where your skin feels extra dry. Another tip is to apply your body moisturiser post-shower while your skin is still damp to lock in moisture. Our Skin Replenishing Body Balm is lightweight and fast-absorbing – while still being rich and nourishing – so you can get on with your day without hanging around waiting for it to sink in.
How to care for dry hands
Cold weather also plays havoc with the skin on our hands, and this paired with frequent hand washing can make hands dry, tight-feeling and uncomfortable. Want to fix dry hands fast? As well as regularly applying hand cream – ideally after each time you wash your hands – try applying a thick layer of nourishing hand cream and putting some cotton gloves on top, then sit back for an hour – or leave them on overnight – while the formula absorbs into your skin. We recommend our beloved Orange Flower Hand Repair™.
How do you fix dry lips during winter?
Another area that struggles in low temperatures is lips. If you experience dry, chapped and flaky lips in winter there is plenty you can do to combat it. Keep a comforting lip balm close by and apply it throughout the day whenever your lips feel dry, tight or uncomfortable. Apply an extra thick layer before bed to prevent your lips from drying out and counteract the drying effect of breathing through your mouth as you sleep – something most of us do. We love our Superskin™ Superlip Balm to replenish moisture and protect the delicate skin on our lips from winter dryness.
Your cold weather must-haves
