There’s plenty to love about winter. Getting cosy in front of a roaring fire… rugging up in cute coats and beanies… But you know what isn’t cute? Winter skin dryness. Biting winds, plunging temperatures and overall lower humidity, coupled with longer, hotter showers and drying air thanks to indoor heating, gives us the perfect recipe for a dehydrated, itchy, flaky skin disaster. Thankfully, these winter skincare tips can help you keep your skin glowing, soft and supple all season long. Master your winter skincare routine and banish winter skin dryness for good.

1. Consider your cleanser

If your face feels tight and dry after washing, swapping your regular cleanser out for something more nourishing in winter can help keep skin calm and soothed. A cream-based or milky cleanser, like the Super Sensitive Skin Cleansing Milk, will help shift makeup, dirt and debris from your face without stripping the skin’s natural oils; while oil or balm cleansers are a deeply nourishing, soothing option for those with very sensitive or dry skin.

To remove dry, flaky patches, kickstart cellular regeneration and help serums and moisturisers soak into the skin, exfoliation is key. Use a gentle scrub, a chemical exfoliant (AHAs, such as glycolic acid or lactic acid, and BHAs, like salicylic acid) or, for sensitive skin, simply a wet facecloth. Use in place of your regular cleanser two to three times a week (but no more).

The best moisturiser for winter isn’t necessarily the thickest one you can find – in particular, those with combination or oily skin may want to stick with your regular moisturiser for winter and simply add a nourishing serum to deliver light layers of extra moisture while keeping oiliness at bay.

For those suffering from winter skin dryness, choose a rich cream containing wonder-ingredient hyaluronic acid (such as Thirsty Skin Day + Night Cream). It’s the MVP of skin hydrators and is non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t block pores), making it a must-have in any winter skincare routine.

And we’re not talking about your clothes! Layering serums under your moisturiser can infuse your complexion with antioxidant hydrating heroes such as vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea (all of which can be found in the Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Facial Serum). Gently press a couple of drops into skin with warm hands to aid absorption before topping with moisturiser. Follow with a Hydrating Primer before applying makeup.

5. Treat your eyes

The delicate area under your eyes needs extra TLC during the harsh winter months. Gently press a rich nourishing eye cream under the eyes and onto lids as part of your regular winter skin care routine to protect your peepers from the elements, or pop on a pair of Brightening Hydrogel Under Eye Mask for 30 minutes and let them work their magic (you have our permission to sip a glass of wine while you wait…).

 

6. Look after your lips

Ever noticed how chapped lips and cold weather seem to go hand in hand? The delicate skin on our lips is thinner than the rest of our face, so it needs extra protection against the elements. Think: extra-thick and nourishing lip balms – or grab a lip gloss that does double duty, like this Tinted Lip Serum, which delivers nurturing jojoba oil and vitamin E, plus a hit of colour.

 

7. Mask up

A mask is a quick way to give your skin a quick boost in winter (not to mention a relaxing way to spend #selfcaresunday). Avoid clay masks, which can be drying, in winter and instead go for something skin-plumping and hydrating, like the Lift + Firm Face Mask Sheet.

 

8. Help your hands

Our poor mitts can really cop a beating in winter. Take care of them with a rich cream to inject much-needed moisture into dry, chapped hands. In addition to delivering hydration to thirsty paws, products like One & All Intensive Hand & Nail Rescue Cream Very Dry Hands can also help prevent future moisture loss with daily use.

9. Slather on SPF

UVA rays (which cause premature ageing) can be just as strong on a cold winter’s day as they are in summer, so sun protection is non-negotiable, not only for winter skincare but all year round. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to help protect from both UVA and UVB rays, and one specifically formulated for the face to ensure it’s non-comedogenic. Many moisturisers and foundations have built-in SPF or, for extra skin-loving benefits, try an SPF BB or CC cream.

10. Have a drink

A good winter skincare routine starts from the inside out. So swap the mulled wine for water (sorry!) to hydrate skin from the inside. Experts recommend around 8 cups (2L) of H2O a day for body benefits – and you can definitely take it as a warm and cosy cup of herbal or fruit tea!

11. Shower smarter

There’s nothing like a long hot shower on a cold morning but be warned: this is a disaster zone for your skin. Super-hot water can not only dehydrate you but also strip the natural oils from your skin, leaving you drier than ever. Try not to languish too long under the running water and turn the temp down to warm, not scalding.

12. Go pro