Seasonal Skincare Switch: Building the Perfect Winter Routine
Winter is both beautiful and challenging—frosty mornings, cozy nights, and the occasional snow flurry are all part of its charm. But for our skin, especially here in the UK, it’s a season that brings a unique set of challenges. The shift from brisk winds outdoors to heated rooms indoors can strip moisture from your skin, leaving it dry, irritated, and a bit lackluster. This is why adapting your skincare routine for the winter months is crucial.
Let’s dive into how you can build the perfect winter skincare routine to maintain that healthy glow throughout the cold season, with some unique tips and curated product recommendations to make the switch seamless.
1. Switch to a Gentle, Hydrating Cleanser
As the temperature drops, your skin’s moisture level tends to drop along with it, and the last thing you need is a cleanser that strips your natural oils. During winter, swap out those foaming or gel-based cleansers for a cream or oil-based cleanser. These options are gentle and help lock in moisture while effectively cleansing the skin.
Product Recommendation:
• CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser – Ideal for sensitive skin, this UK-favorite provides a gentle cleanse without compromising your skin barrier. It’s packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin moisturized.
• Dermalogica Oil-To-Foam Cleanser – A solid choice for winter, this lightweight oil transforms into a gentle, foamy consistency that melts away impurities while keeping skin nourished and soothed.
Unique Tip: In the evening, always double cleanse—using an oil-based cleanser first to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by a creamy cleanser to hydrate. This ensures your skin is thoroughly clean but never stripped of its natural oils.
2. Layer on Hydration with a Boosted Toner or Essence
One of the key adjustments for winter is layering hydration. Think of your skin like a sponge—the more layers of hydration, the more it retains. In the colder months, swap out your regular toner for a hydrating one or incorporate an essence to help lock in moisture before you even apply your serum.
Product Recommendation:
• Paula’s Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner – Rich in antioxidants, ceramides and fatty acids, this toner delivers intense hydration whilst restoring the skin’s barrier. It’s a personal favourite
• Rhode Glazing Milk – This is an essence-toner hybrid that surprised me and have now purchased multiple times. The addition of Niacinamde helped to even out skin tone whilst a blend of peptides support skin resilience, I love it
Unique Tip: Pat your toner or essence into damp skin right after cleansing, I use a mist for this. Damp skin is more absorbent, allowing the hydrating ingredients to penetrate deeper and maximise the moisture your skin retains.
3. Upgrade to a Richer Moisturiser
Your lightweight summer moisturiser might have been perfect for humid days, but in winter, it’s time to upgrade to something richer to protect the skin barrier from harsh winds and dry indoor air. Look for moisturisers with ceramides, peptides, or shea butter—all ingredients that help seal in hydration and support the skin’s barrier function.
Product Recommendation:
• Medik8’s Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream – is a winter essential for maintaining soft, resilient skin when temperatures drop. It gives long-lasting hydration without heaviness, with multi-weight hyaluronic acid and ceramides to strengthen our skin’s natural barrier.
• Naturium’s Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream – gives plant-derived ceramides to restore and support the skin’s natural moisture barrier, effectively relieving dry, dull skin.
4. Don’t Forget the SPF (Yes, Even in Winter!)
It’s easy to assume SPF is only for summer, but UV rays don’t take a holiday just because it’s cold. UVA rays, the ones that penetrate deeply and cause premature aging, are still present year-round—even on overcast UK winter days. Keep a lightweight SPF in your routine to protect against environmental damage and premature skin aging.
Product Recommendations:
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 – Lightweight, non greasy, and with high SPF, this product is perfect for daily use without feeling heavy.
• Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 50+ Superscreen – One of my daily staples, this SPF is non-greasy, leaves no white cast and is designed to be worn under makeup.
5. Exfoliate—but Gently
Exfoliation is still essential in winter, but the key is to dial it down to prevent compromising your already fragile winter skin barrier. Skip harsher physical scrubs and go for a gentle chemical exfoliant once or twice a week. Ingredients like lactic acid or mandelic acid are perfect for sloughing off dead skin without causing irritation.
Product Recommendation:
• The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA – A budget-friendly option, this mild exfoliant is gentle enough for winter use while also helping to hydrate the skin.
• Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel – Packed with AHAs, these toner wipes exfoliate while also refreshing and brightening the skin, perfect for keeping that winter dullness at bay.
Unique Tip: Always follow up with a rich, hydrating serum or moisturiser after exfoliating to replenish the skin. I recommend using exfoliants during the evening routine and pairing them with a good moisturiser to wake up with a refreshed, radiant complexion.
6. Introduce a Nourishing Face Oil
Face oils are an excellent addition during winter. They’re not just for dry skin types —oils can help all skin types by locking in moisture and strengthening the skin’s lipid barrier. Oils like rosehip, squalane, or jojoba are fantastic for adding a little extra nourishment and glow during winter.
Product Recommendation:
• The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane – Non-comedogenic and lightweight, squalane oil is perfect for sealing in hydration without clogging pores.
• Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil – Rich in antioxidants, rosehip oil helps repair and brighten the skin, ideal for dry, winter-stressed skin.
Unique Tip: Mix a few drops of your face oil into your nighttime moisturizer or pat it gently over your moisturizer as the last step in your routine. This double-layer approach ensures your skin is deeply hydrated and retains moisture overnight.
7. Pamper Your Skin with a Weekly Mask
Winter is the perfect time to incorporate hydrating and soothing masks into your routine to give your skin an extra boost of moisture. Look for masks that are rich in hyaluronic acid, ceramides and squalane—ingredients known for their strengthening and hydrating properties.
Product Recommendation:
• Beauty Pie’s Japanfusion Bio-Ceramide Moisture Mask – An ultra-hydrating mask that works while you sleep, infusing the skin with nutrients and moisture for a plump, healthy appearance.
• Augustinus Bader The Face Cream Mask – a luxurious treatment that instantly hydrates, and brightens the complexion, leaving skin exceptionally radiant. Key ingredients include the brand’s proprietary TFC8 complex, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and squalane.
Unique Tip: Apply a hydrating mask right after a shower. The steam will have helped open up your pores, allowing the mask’s ingredients to penetrate deeper and leave your skin extra hydrated and smooth.
Final Thoughts: Winter-Proof Your Routine
Building the perfect winter skincare routine is all about hydration, protection, and a little bit of indulgence. By incorporating richer, more nourishing products, being mindful of gentle exfoliation, and always remembering to protect your skin with SPF, you’ll be ready to face even the chilliest of UK winters with a healthy, radiant glow.
Remember, your skin deserves extra love during this time of year—so layer up, drink plenty of water, and indulge in those little luxuries that keep your skin soft and glowing.
Healthy, radiant skin is a reflection of balance—what we do inside, outside, and everything in between. Want more skincare advice? Head over to the Skin page for my latest tips and treatments, or follow me on Instagram where I share my daily skincare rituals and favourite products. Let’s achieve your best skin yet, one step at a time.”
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