Winter-Proof Your Skin Routine: The Seasonal Guide to Keep Your Glow
Winter is a demanding season for your skin. As temperatures plummet and the air turns bone-dry, your skin battles a two-front war: harsh, cold winds outside and moisture-sapping central heating indoors.
These extreme conditions strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it feeling tight, flaky, and dehydrated. The result? A weakened skin barrier, redness, irritation, and that dreaded dullness that can seem impossible to shake. Add to this the lack of UVB rays (hello, winter sunburn) and reduced humidity, and it’s no wonder your complexion needs a little extra TLC.
To face these challenges head-on, your skincare routine should pivot toward hydration, protection, and barrier repair. Think of it as giving your skin its own winter wardrobe—layering lightweight essentials under rich, nurturing creams to stay snug and resilient. Here’s how to do it, with a curated lineup of products that will keep your glow intact from the first frost to the last snowflake.
Step 1: Cleanse Without Compromise
Begin with a gentle, lipid-rich cleanser that respects your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Skinstitut Squalane Cleansing Oil £34 is a perfect choice for its ability to cleanse without stripping, melting away makeup and grime while leaving skin soft. For a probiotic-rich option, Biojuve Conditioning Cleanse £40 hydrates and conditions, prepping your skin for all the nutrients to follow.
Step 2: Deeply Hydrate with Active Serums
Winter skin craves hydration, and layering serums is the ideal way to deliver it. Subtle Energies Vegan Collagen Serum £330 is a vegan-friendly powerhouse that boosts firmness and elasticity, ideal for skin needing that collagen boost. For additional support, Teoxane Advanced Serum £92 combines bakuchiol and peptides to smooth and strengthen, while COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum £27 offers peptides that help with elasticity and resilience.
Step 3: Lock in Moisture with Luxe Hydration
Your moisturiser is where the real magic happens in winter. Opt for a thicker cream with emollient-rich ingredients that lock in all those active serums. Elemental Herbology Cell Active Moisturiser £66 provides a creamy yet light layer of hydration that keeps skin supple without heaviness. For more intensive hydration, Fjor Hydrolytic Moisturiser £45 is a hydrating powerhouse that delivers long-lasting moisture.
Step 4: Protect and Boost with Oils and Balms
When the weather is brutal, a nourishing oil or balm can be the ultimate game-changer. Hydropeptide’s Barrier Builder £45 protects and strengthens the skin barrier with its moisture-sealing properties, while RéVive Moisturising Renewal Oil £150 delivers a dose of glow-boosting hydration with every drop. Layer these over your moisturizer to lock in hydration or apply directly to parched areas for a targeted boost.
Step 5: Don’t Forget SPF (Yes, Even Now)
SPF is essential year-round, even on overcast winter days. Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+ £38 offers high protection with a lightweight, hydrating formula that layers beautifully under makeup, perfect for everyday wear. Alternatively, Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Age Daily SPF 50+ £19.70 combines broad-spectrum protection with hydrating ingredients, ideal for keeping skin moisturised and protected from the winter sun. Whichever you choose, these SPFs give your skin a defensive edge against UVA rays that can still cause aging, even in winter.
Weekly Treatments for Radiant Skin
Exfoliation and treatment masks are essential but require a gentler touch in winter. Dr. Humble Exfoliating Enzyme Mask £79 provides an enzyme-based exfoliation that gently removes dead skin cells, keeping skin bright without over-exfoliating. If you’re seeking a boost in radiance and texture, SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight £88 and Germaine de Capuccini Timexpert Rides Retinage Filler £121 offer overnight renewal without irritation.
Extra Care for Fine Lines and Elasticity
Winter can be especially harsh on mature skin. Institut Esthederm Intensive Collagen Pro Serum £74 and Minimalist Retinal 0.2% £19.99 bring rejuvenating collagen and retinoids to your nighttime routine, working to improve skin texture, tone, and elasticity. A few drops of Elizabeth Grant Supreme Essence of Torricelumn £70 adds a layer of velvety softness, boosting hydration while softening fine lines.
