Our skin can look a little worse for wear during colder months, which is so unfair if you’ve been following skin care 101 all year. Beautiful skin checks out to a better place (like the beach we wish we were on) and we’re left with dry, dull, and tired-looking skin to face off autumn and winter. The good news is that switching to a skincare routine designed to keep it healthy in cold temperatures will have the skin we know and love on the first flight home.
First thing’s first (and the most inconvenient side effect of cold weather): dry skin. Cool temperatures and crisp air can wreak havoc on our skin as they lift moisture right out of the skin. To get rid of dry skin in winter, you need to prioritise a rich, more intense moisturiser than the one you’ve been using all summer. A moisturiser acts as a cosy scarf for your skin by wrapping it in a protective layer to retain moisture whilst replenishing the moisture already lost.
iS CLINICAL MOISTURISING COMPLEX – This moisturiser by iS Clinical has a rich, creamy texture that absorbs quickly into the skin with a non-greasy finish. Its protective barrier is packed with antioxidants to guard the skin against environmental damage, making it a great addition to a city-goer’s winter skincare routine. The moisturising ingredients that we can’t get enough of in iS Clinical Moisturising Complex are hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as they can retain and restore impressive amounts of moisture. Plus, vitamins and bio-nutrients to help maintain your skin’s health throughout cooler months.
SKINCEUTICALS EMOLLIENCE – Emollience is a luxurious moisturiser that doubles up as a restorative treatment to moisturise, heal and nourish the skin back to its good ol’ days. Its formula is infused with Brazilian sea algae, botanical oils and extracts such as macadamia, rosehip and grape seed for essential nutrients and minerals. This cream for dry skin is ideal for your winter skincare routine as it can withstand seriously dry climates and high altitudes, so SkinCeuticals Emollience is just as important as your ski’s if you’re off to the Alps.
We know what you’re thinking: “didn’t I just switch it up for summer? What should my skincare routine be now?” Every season calls for a different skincare routine as the environment majorly impacts what skin concern we should be prioritising, and this season is all about dry skin with a hint of dullness. It’s time to switch up our skincare routines once more to include an oil-based cleanser, brightening serum, powerful night cream and gentle exfoliator.
Foam-based cleansers can contribute to drying out the skin, which is why we suggest switching to an oil-based cleanser that gently removes impurities without stripping moisture. They reach deep into the pores to clean and deliver powerful antioxidants found in plant-based oils.
CIRCADIA VITAMIN VEIL CLEANSER – Every winter skincare routine needs an oil-based cleanser for the face. And this Vitamin Veil Cleanser by Circadia is a pure luxury as it features nourishing, vitamin-rich oils like seabuckthorn, cranberry, and meadowfoam seed to remove dirt, and makeup, and protect the skin’s natural barrier.
IMAGE SKINCARE CLEAR CELL CLARIFYING GEL CLEANSER – This salicylic-based clarifying gel cleanser is oil-soluble and a total dream for those with oily skin, getting rid of bad oils and keeping the good oils we need for its health. It’ll lightly exfoliate dead skin cells to soften and smooth your complexion and prevent dry skin from appearing on the face, while active acne ingredients tame breakouts. Its formula contains 2% salicylic acid, a patented antimicrobial complex, arnica montana, and tea tree oil to reduce inflammation and unclog pores.
Our skin is more prone to dullness as the amount of moisture in the air decreases in colder months. Get that summer glow in winter with a brightening serum that works to restore luminosity with essential vitamins, so you can bring the sunshine even on a rainy (or snowy) day.
ZO SKIN HEALTH C-BRIGHT 10% VIT C – Want to know how to maintain bright, glowing skin in winter? It’s as easy as A, B, and vitamin C. ZO Skin Health’s 10% Vitamin C serum provides a potent dose of ascorbic acid to exfoliate skin surface pigmentation, defend against environmental damage, assist in collagen production, and boost radiance. The serum also includes other powerhouse ingredients such as vitamin E and coenzyme-Q10 for antioxidant protection and squalane, which mimics our body’s own natural moisturising factors for a burst of hydration that defends against dry skin in winter.
IMAGE SKINCARE ILUMA INTENSE FACIAL ILLUMINATOR – Face off autumn and winter dullness with this fast-working facial illuminator by Image Skincare. It’s suitable for all skin types that want to hold onto their summer skin, tackle uneven skin tone and texture, and reduce dark spots and pigmentation. The formula is packed with glow-boosting tranexamic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide to brighten and refresh dull winter skin.
It’s tempting to jump straight into bed to get warm when it comes to bedtime but night cream, aka the ultimate dry skin cream, is a must-have in your winter skincare routine. During the day our skin is on the defence to protect itself from threats such as UV rays, bacteria, and pollution. While we’re busy catching z’s, our skin begins to heal and rejuvenate itself. To get the most out of your beauty sleep, invest in an accelerating night cream that lends an extra helping hand. Cold mornings will be that much easier as you wake up to beautiful skin.
ZO SKIN HEALTH RADICAL NIGHT REPAIR – Looking to enhance your winter skincare routine for the face even further? Try a night cream with superstar ingredients that do more than just moisturise. ZO Skiealth’s Radical Night Repair contains microencapsulated retinol to boost skin elasticity combined with antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory ingredients including plant stem cells, rosemary leaf, and Sichuan pepper fruit extract to give the skin a more youthful appearance.
DERMACEUTIC TURNOVER – Dermaceutic TurnOver Stimulating Night Cream contains a rejuvenating formula that removes dead skin cells and cell residues with 15% glycolic acid whilst you sleep, so you can kickstart the day with brighter, smoother skin. This 2-in-1 exfoliator cream prevents dry skin on the forehead, cheeks, nose, and around the mouth.
An exfoliator might seem unnecessarily harsh during colder months, but a build-up of dead skin cells and dry skin can dramatically reduce product absorption, meaning products you use to protect your skin from the winter blues can’t be fully absorbed. To maintain skin in the autumn and winter, choose a gentle exfoliator and exfoliate as part of your night routine to avoid making your skin more vulnerable during the day.
iS CLINICAL TRI-ACTIVE EXFOLIATING MASQUE – Great for acne and anti-ageing, TRI-ACTIVE EXFOLIATING MASQUE works to polish and smooth the skin, reducing the signs of ageing whilst also minimising pores. Combing co-friendly micro-beads, botanical enzymes and salicylic acid which help to radically improve the texture and appearance of the skin. This mask has the exclusive Brazilian Blood Orange Extract giving you amazing antioxidant protection from external factors whilst also adding a luxurious aroma to the masque.
ZO SKIN HEALTH DUAL ACTION SCRUB – One of our favourite exfoliators ZO’s Dual Action exfoliation technology helps remove dead skin cells and excess surface oils that can lead to clogged pores. Formulated with Lactic and Salicylic acid it helps to exfoliate dead skin cells. Tea tree oil helps to remove excess oils and encapsulated vitamins A, C & E help to protect the skin from free radicals.
If our skin could talk it’d no doubt give us seasonal skincare tips when the time came around, but since it can’t, we’re here to tell you them instead. Caring for our skin in cooler temperatures involves wearing an SPF, taking vitamin D supplements, limiting hot showers, daily lip balm, and staying hydrated. Happy, healthy skin here we come…
Don’t let a cloudy day talk you out of wearing SPF as UV rays pose a threat to the skin all year round no matter the weather. The ozone layer does its best to protect us from these harmful rays but during colder months we are more exposed as the ozone layer is at its thinnest. Not to mention our skin is prone to dryness in the cold, giving UV rays a better shot at damaging our skin.
HELIOCARE 360 GEL OIL FREE – This unique, oil-free dry touch formula by Heliocare 360 protects against UVA, UVB, visible light, and infrared-A to prevent DNA damage and premature skin ageing. It’s most beneficial for those with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types who want their winter skincare routine to help them face off against autumn and winter sun. For best results, use this oil-free sunscreen every day (even when you’re staying in).
ZO SKIN HEALTH DAILY SHEER SPF 50 – For those who want to protect their skin from premature ageing and prevent dry skin this winter, this non-greasy, sheer broad-spectrum sunscreen is ideal for all the chilly days ahead. The SPF dries to a natural matte finish to protect against UVA, UVB, infrared rays (IR-A), and high energy visible (HEV) light. ZO Skin Health Daily Sheer SPF 50 is also insanely hydrating with glycerin and propanediol to replenish dry skin on all areas of the face, including the forehead, around the mouth and nose.
When sunlight hits our skin, our bodies produce vitamin D but during autumn and winter there’s less sun to feed our skin. Vitamin D helps to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, metabolism, skin cell growth, and power the healing process.
If there are any seasonal skincare tips to live by, it’s taking a vitamin D supplement after that summer sun sets away. Dr. Nigma Talib Vitamin D Sun capsules supply the body with a potent dose of vitamin D3 and K to support optimal absorption. This powerhouse duo is essential for ensuring strong muscles and bones, a high functioning immune system, and healthy hair, skin and nails.
Turning up the heat for a hot shower is how most of us start the day on a frosty morning but this strips the skin of natural oils that help to keep the skin moisturised. Hot showers can also irritate the skin compromising the skin’s barrier, making it harder to hold onto moisture and more vulnerable to harsh weather. Keep your showers under 10 minutes, 5 if you can, to keep moisture loss at a minimum. If your fingers and toes are starting to look prune-like, you’ve been in the shower way too long.
To replace any moisture loss, immediately apply a body moisturiser as soon as you get out of the shower. We recommend Image Skincare Body Spa Rejuvenating Body Lotion as it’s specially formulated to replenish lost moisture as part of your winter skincare routine, as well as exfoliate and regenerate skin cells.
Many people want to know how they can best maintain healthy skin in winter and get rid of dry skin, and the answer always comes back to moisturising. This goes for all areas of the body, even the lips. Our lips are actually prone to dryness all year round as they regularly come into contact with saliva that contains digestive enzymes such as amylase and maltase, which can break down the skin causing dry lips. Combined with cold air and winds, applying a lip balm daily has never been more important than it is now.
IMAGE SKINCARE ORMEDIC BALANCING LIP ENHANCEMENT COMPLEX – This organic ultra-hydrating, polypeptide formula improves the visual volume of lip contours. going beyond just moisturising the lips, it also helps to improve the appearance of fine lines. Along supporting with the appearance of lip volume and firmness.
iS CLINICAL LIPROTECT SPF35 – Brand new from iS Clinical, this protective SPF lip balm is antioxidant-rich and does more than add a stunning sheen to your lips; it combines physical sunscreen actives to protect against sun damage, while vitamin E and coconut oil heal and condition the lips.
Nothing completes a simple autumn/winter skincare routine better than thinking lots of water. Cold weather causes the water in your skin to evaporate quicker leading to dehydrated skin, so drink up! All the hydrating products you can find won’t be enough if you’re not hydrating from the inside out, so it may just be the most important seasonal skincare tip of them all.
