They say that great summer skin is made in the depths of winter, so right now we are all perfectly placed to get some rituals and routines in place for those cosy nights at home and rainy days. 

However, when the temperature drops it’s a good idea to bring out the big guns when it comes to skincare. And if you’ve got skin that’s on the dry side all year round, boost yourself up with some nourishing oils and richer formulas to keep your largest organ looking and feeling as hydrated as possible whenever and wherever you need it. 

Go gentle with your cleanser

Cleansing your skin is one of the most important parts of your skincare regime, and it’s always a good idea to track down a richer, more nourishing cleanser when the temperature plummets. One key element to maintaining great skin over winter is keeping your barrier intact, and when it comes to skincare, this means starting things off on the best foot with this first essential step. A rich but gentle cleanser 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. 

Cleansing your face with oil is always a good idea, especially in winter. And that even goes for oilier skin types, who are often averse to the idea of adding more on top. A great option is Trilogy’s Rosehip Transformation Cleansing Oil, a stellar performer that definitely won’t break the bank. A certified natural, super silky and lush feeling pure plant cleansing oil, it’s a little wonder that effortlessly melts away make-up and any impurities simply and gently. One of the many formulas out there that transforms from an oil to cleansing milk when emulsified with water, it also comes enriched with nourishing rosehip, sweet almond and papaya so that it cleanses skin without stripping any of the good stuff and leaves things feeling soft, hydrated and perfectly clean.

Prep with a gentle exfoliant

It’s so hard to achieve glowing skin without a little exfoliation, especially in winter. The process helps unstick lacklustre, dead skin cells so that newer, healthier cells underneath can radiate, and ensures what goes on top will penetrate better within.

Tailor Skincare Polish is a great option, the much-loved New Zealand brand calling the formula “your secret weapon to banish breakouts, unclog pores, soothe and smooth for baby soft, glowing skin”. Polish uses locally sourced bentonite clay and coconut glycerine to deeply cleanse without drying, whilst wintergreen extract and pumice powder gently breakdown congestion and buff away dead skin cells for a brighter, clearer complexion.

And don’t neglect your lips – try Henne Organics Lip Exfoliator Nordic Berries for your softest smackers ever.

Hydrate and lock it in

Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) occurs in winter when the humidity decreases in central-heated offices and homes, and subsequently, moisture is drawn out of the skin and into the air. Add a serum high in hyaluronic acid to your routine to boost your hydration levels, followed by a moisturiser. Nuori’s Bio Fusion Serum is a great choice as it’s a lightweight serum but packed with potent ingredients. A bio-extract, derived from the bakuchiol plant, offers a natural alternative to retinol with the same skin-renewing results, and the latest generation of natural hyaluronic acid is in there to deliver a visible dermo-filling and plumping effect.

Mist more

Over the cooler months, keep a face mist close at hand at all times so you can spritz over the skin and even over makeup to hydrate your complexion throughout the day. Trilogy’s certified natural Hydrating Mist Toner is a perfect winter pick me up as it’s a revitalising all-in-one toner and floral moisture mist that instantly delivers moisture to thirsty skin, anytime and anywhere. From toning to make-up prep, the gentle, aromatic hydration mist with rose, geranium and lavender works to leave skin toned, cooled, hydrated and dewy.

Turn down the heat

It may be very tempting to raise the temperature in your bath or shower in winter, but it’s not the best idea for your skin. Hot water is likely to harm the functions of the skin rather than help them, as it can cause dehydration as it tries to regulate temperature. Plus, due to the presence of water, oils from the skin will be removed that would otherwise protect it from the elements. This will again reduce the barrier function, as these lipids play a vital function in antimicrobial, antioxidant and skin permeability function and preventing water loss.

Opt for a warm bath or shower instead, and follow up with a skin barrier-boosting moisturiser like one of Ethique’s butter blocks, applied when skin is still slightly damp. Instead of just butters and oils, Ethique’s clever chemists have mixed two humectants (ingredients that draw water to the skin) into a deliciously creamy base.