Our skin weathers its fair share of dehydration and stress at this time of year. So a winter skincare routine, packed full of nourishing ingredients and a squad of targeted products, is helpful for restoring a dewy-fresh sheen to withered skin.
When the temperature drops, our skin is faced with a triple threat. Arctic blasts and low humidity outdoors first sap it of moisture. They also rile up sensitive complexions, so it’s absolutely possible to have a sore, dull surface – peppered with blemishes – and crusty, dry skin.
Our hibernation tactics don’t help either, as central heating and hot baths send already dry skin into a tailspin. And then there’s an often overzealous approach to exfoliation and actives.
All of which means you’re looking at a complex set of demands for your winter skincare products to tackle. So how about we fix this. We’ve pulled together smart tips, do-able routine strategies and product recommendations – with a little help from the experts.
In this article:
→ Identify dry skin caused by the weather vs a product
→ Switch up your cleanser
→ Press pause on gritty facial scrubs
→ Use a layering technique
→ Only apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin
→ Focus on your skin barrier
→ Look for beta-glucan in the formula
→ Switch to granactive retinol
→ Avoid water-based gel formulas
→ Implement the 3-minute rule
→ Get a professional opinion
1. Identify dry skin caused by the weather vs a product
Dry, weather-beaten skin “often appears dull and may get oily as the day progresses,” says facialist Teresa Tarmey.
But if your skin is dry and red, and you experience stinging with product application, it’s likely caused by a product in your beauty routine. Look at what you’re using that might be spiking your irritation and dehydration – and switch it out of your routine.
When used correctly, stimulating products such as vitamin C, pore-purging clay masks and intensive peels can be transformative marvels – the evidence is out there. But if your skin is compromised from either the weather or from product overload, the expert advice is to pull back on the big guns and store them away for when your complexion has re-calibrated and calmed down.
2. Switch up your cleanser
If you have dry or dehydrated skin, over-cleansing with foaming formulas can strip skin of the crucial natural oils that help strengthen and protect the skin barrier. Instead, go gentle with a milk, oil or balm cleanser – using warm water and a soft flannel – morning and night. “Look for ingredients like aloe, glycerin, or other humectants to maintain moisture,” adds Teresa.
3. Press pause on gritty facial scrubs
It’s still important to exfoliate during the winter months as cell turnover slows down. Dead skin cells can block pores, upping the chance of breakouts, and prevent your winter skincare from sinking in properly.
But it’s also important to be kind to your skin, which is dealing with unusually high levels of inflammation. Look to gentle acids for exfoliating rather than a harsh abrasive scrub, says Dr Christine Hall, a pharmacist and aesthetic doctor.
She’s a fan of polyhydroxyacids, also known as PHAs. “Polyhydroxyacids are bigger molecules than AHAs (such as glycolic acid), so they do not penetrate through the skin barrier as deeply,” Dr Hall says, adding that they do a good job of exfoliating the skin’s surface.
