To keep your skin feeling fresh this winter, there are several things you can do to make sure you aren’t picking the wrong ingredients or wrong methods, which make your skin difficult to deal with during this already crazy period.
These tips should help you heal your skin but also maintain any healing you have already achieved over the summer and autumn period. Ensure to check the ingredients before applying any unrecommended products to your skin, as this could damage your skin barrier.
Switch to a Creamy/Oil-Based Cleanser
Foaming cleansers can strip your skin of natural oils. Opt for a gentle, hydrating milk, balm, or oil cleanser that cleans without leaving your skin feeling tight or “squeaky clean.” Also, be sure to avoid using a cleanser in the morning; a splash of water is all you need in the morning to start the day right and not to overwhelm your skin first thing in the morning.
“Slather & Seal” Your Moisturiser
Replace lightweight lotions with a thick cream or balm rich in Ceramides, Shea Butter, or Squalane. Apply it immediately after washing your face while the skin is still damp to lock in water. You want something like a medical grade, or if you are on a budget like most of us are, then the Nivea white tub of cream is the perfect solution. It keeps your skin hydrated but also doesn’t encourage oil buildup up so it’s a great versatile option that is extremely affordable and will last through winter with you.
Layer a Hydrating Serum
Before your heavy cream, apply a serum with Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin onto damp skin. These humectants draw moisture into the skin, plumping it from within. Something that is full of goodness can be trapped in with a thick layer of moisturisers on top.
You don’t have to include this step, but is a great way to add an extra layer of goodness.
Don’t Skip the Sunscreen (SPF)
UV rays are present year-round and can reflect off snow, increasing exposure. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily, preferably one with a hydrating base. This is imperative for every single day, as harmful rays still penetrate through clouds, which over a period of time is really damaging.
It’s something you could double up with a thick moisturiser that also has SPF in it if you don’t want to go heavy on different creams.
Exfoliate Gently and Less Often
Too much exfoliation compromises the skin barrier. Limit chemical exfoliants (like AHAs/BHAs) and physical scrubs to once or twice a week, or switch to gentler Enzyme or PHA-based products. If you can use oil cleaners to remove harsh makeup, this will be much gentler on the skin but also break down the makeup easily, avoiding harsh rubbing or the need to triple cleanse.
Use a Humidifier
Indoor heating dries out the air, constantly pulling moisture from your skin. Place a humidifier in your bedroom or living space to add moisture back into the air. This is a great investment, and they don’t have to be expensive for them to work. It’s good for your breathing health when used correctly, so make sure to do your research first.
Limit Hot Showers & Baths
As tempting as a steaming hot shower is, very hot water strips the skin’s essential protective oils. Keep showers lukewarm and under 10–15 minutes. This is by far the most upsetting part of wintertime skin health, but overall, a lukewarm shower is still nice and relaxing while warming you up without drying out your skin.
Protect Your Hands and Lips
These areas have thinner skin and are highly exposed. Use a thick, occlusive lip balm (ideally with SPF) and wear gloves outdoors after applying a rich hand cream. I tend to pack these on in the evening to make sure they absorb as much as possible of the good products. When you are active throughout the day, the cream will be transferred to other things before doing as much as it can.
Hydrate from Within
Skin health is internal. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel as thirsty as you do in the summer. It’s imperative that you hydrate, as this can affect your lip dryness the most, which is uncomfortable and inconvenient. Aim for at least 2 litres of water a day, but if you can drink more without overhydration, then you are flying.
Dial Down Your Actives
If you’re experiencing winter dryness or redness, reduce the frequency or concentration of potent actives like Retinoids and strong Vitamin C until your skin’s barrier is restored. You could swap these for much weaker ones that are mild but still effective in healing the skin barrier and preventing anti-ageing during this period. You could also ensure to increase your
Winter Facials
The cold season is the perfect time for treatments that focus on deep hydration, skin barrier repair, and deeper exfoliation (due to less sun exposure during healing). It’s also recommended that you ask your skin therapist for their advice on which treatment would be best for your unique case.
HydraFacial MD®: A highly popular treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, and extracts while simultaneously delivering intense hydration through nourishing serums and antioxidants. It’s gentle, non-invasive, and leaves skin instantly glowing.
Custom Hydrating Facial: A classic facial focused purely on infusing moisture, often involving gentle exfoliation, a soothing mask rich in Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid, and deep-tissue facial massage to boost circulation. This could be a combination of treatments with a hydrafacial, such as a peel, and so forth.
Enzyme Peels: These use natural fruit enzymes (like pineapple or papaya) to gently resurface the skin without the harsh irritation of deep chemical peels, making them ideal for sensitive winter skin. There are other peels available, but ensure to ask your skin therapist which is more beneficial.
Chemical Peels (Medium-Depth): If you are targeting sun damage or hyperpigmentation from the summer, winter is the ideal time for a deeper peel (like TCA or Glycolic Acid) as you can more easily avoid intense sun exposure during the required healing period.
Microneedling: This works by causing microtraumas on the skin to encourage natural collagen production, which repairs the skin. This is a great choice for those wishing to have scaring, fine lines and pigmentation resolved. Microneedling in Cheshire is a great option for the winter, as the lack of sun means the risk of sun damage on treated areas is minimised by a lot, which means results in theory are easier to maintain and heal from.