It’s time to face the facts: the moment the temperatures change – from a moderately chilly autumn to a bitterly cold winter  – your skin suffers first. As temperatures fall and the air gets drier your summer routine just doesn’t cut it anymore, and the arrival of winter calls for a major skincare upgrade.

 A gentle approach to cleansing

Your new routine starts with a kinder, gentler cleanser. Put the foaming formulations to one side and opt for a richer cream cleanser or an oil formula if you’re that way inclined. This can definitely help address the dryness that comes with the cooler air, and when used correctly can make a real difference to your skin’s health and wellbeing.

For many, using oils on the face may seem counterintuitive, especially those who associate it with breakouts and the like. Well, the situation is quite the opposite, and we at CBC love our cleansing oil offerings. Tailor Skincare’s Oil Cleanse kicks impurities out with cold-pressed New Zealand hazelnut and kanuka oils, whilst organic sunflower oil and vitamin E  gently nourish and protect delicate complexions. Trilogy’s Rosehip Transformation Cleansing Oil is another homegrown option that we can’t get enough of, while  award-winning Aeos Cleansing Oil dé-Maq is a luxe option made up of a transforming blend of premium-grade organic and biodynamic oils and plant extracts. If you prefer a cream cleanser, Trilogy’s certified natural, fragrance-free Very Gentle Cleansing Cream delicately cleanses and removes make-up without drying or irritating sensitised and reactive skins.

Take your moisturiser up a notch

After your soothing cleansing ritual, it’s time to embrace the chill in the air with a super hydrating moisturiser. Nuori Protect+ Facial Cream is a Scandi beauty favourite that delivers potent doses of lipids and antioxidants for lasting moisture, comfort and barrier protection via a highly concentrated formula. It includes bioactivated lipids, extracted from sustainable shea butter, that offer protection against environmental stress, and Vitamin B3 to help reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and strengthen a weakened barrier.

If you prefer to embrace an oil over winter, we love Beuti Skincare’s heavenly Beauty Sleep Elixir – and it’s not just for use prior to sleeping. A delicious to use, all-natural blend of 14 plant-based oils, it was formulated to reduce inflammation, prevent collagen and elastin breakdown and nourish the skin. The ingredient deck includes a Caribbean coral extract that is a powerful anti-inflammatory, as well as sandalwood nut kernel oil, which helps prevent the breakdown of skin elasticity. It can be also worn underneath makeup to even skin tone, be applied to bare skin to brighten your complexion on days you want to skip the foundation, or even as spot-treatment thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Ace that base

Winter is when you look for a more nourishing foundation as well as skincare, and we love Aleph Concealer / Foundation for its skincare properties and general no-nonsense approach. Made in New Zealand using 100 per cent natural ingredients, Aleph products have been formulated to protect against environmental toxins, regenerate cellular energy and work to increase collagen production. Some of the star ingredients include a particular algae extract known for its collagen enhancing and rejuvenating properties, CoQ10 to help support the skin’s structure, and Totarol for its potent anti-bacterial properties.In a nutshell, it allows you to use your foundation to not only protect your skin and make it look its best immediately, but ensure that it looks better and better over time.

Full body hydration

Last up, don’t forget to up your game when it comes to nourishing body and mind by choosing a delicious body oil that will work on your mood too. Plant Apothecary Ground Control Organic Body Oil has been delicately scented with organic essential oils of invigorating rosemary and relaxing bergamot, to help sharpen and calm your mind at the same time. The base of organic sunflower and apricot seed oils is naturally loaded with Vitamin E, and it can be smoothed on all over after a bath or shower, or add a few drops to your bath for a luxuriously scented soak.