The essentials of winter skincare

When the weather changes, our skin’s needs change too. When the sun is strongest during the summer months, we need more sun protection and less moisturiser, but what happens during the winter? The drier, colder, blustery months need a skincare routine and products all of their own to ensure our skin’s continued health. Winter often robs skin of its glow and vitality, so keeping it healthy is essential to maintaining an even complexion and skin tone. Which aspects of your skincare do you need to change for the colder weather, and what should our winter skincare be doing for our skin?

More frequent exfoliation

Frequent exfoliation is essential during the colder and drier months of the year. Once or twice a week, a quick exfoliation as part of your skincare routine helps to slough away the dead skin cells that are blocking your pores and giving you a dull appearance. The colder weather dries out the skin cells on the surface of our skin, creating a flaky coat that is resistant to our skin’s healing powers and absorbing moisture. Exfoliating removes this layer, letting your skin breathe and allowing topical products to work on the layers of skin that are alive and striving to keep healthy. This kind of skincare isn’t just good for your facial skin, but for your body too. Try an exfoliating body wash or a shower mitt to scrub away at tired winter skin on your arms and legs. What many people opt for during the winter months are chemical peels, because they instigate chemical exfoliation while exacting health changes within the younger developing skin beneath. This kind of concentrated and heavier-duty exfoliation is ideal for getting ready for your Christmas parties because it helps to add a fresh glow to your complexion. For more information on chemical peels, check our full chemical peel guide.

Richer moisturisers

Gone are the days of a light moisturiser in summer and spring! Colder and drier weather saps the moisture from your skin and leaves it greying, dull, flaky, and tired-looking. Because winter days are darker, your skin actually reflects less light too, which can contribute to its tired appearance. We need to replenish the moisture that we lose to the cold air, so heavier and richer moisturisers definitely need to become a staple in your winter skincare routine. This ensures that your skin remains rosy, fresh, and bouncy through the drying winter months and can even bring about the spring-like dewy effect. Apply your moisturiser as soon as you have towel-dried after your shower or wash your face to lock in the moisture.

Softer facial cleansers

Because your skin has different needs throughout the year, your facial cleanser might change throughout the year too. Strong or particularly alcoholic cleansers may have been good for controlling oily summer skin, but these cleansers during the winter can sap your natural oils and moisture from your skin. You might also find that your hands are starting to feel dry and flaky because we don’t appreciate that we usually apply our cleansers with our hands. Softer cleansers will stop your skin from drying out as much post-cleanse, and they might be easier on your hands and neck too. This being said, you should always seek professional advice when experiencing complex skin needs, because they may be a treatment or different product suitable for you that we may recommend. Remember to pay your hands a little TLC with some rich hand cream to lock in that moisture and keep them supple and soft!

Is sun protection still a part of winter skincare?

Lots of people assume that because winter is colder and a little dimmer, sun protection isn’t necessary. However, just because you’re not burning doesn’t mean you’re not receiving sun damage. In fact, it could actually be the autumn and winter months that contribute the most to long-term sun damage that includes the premature signs of ageing and hyperpigmentation. This is because these processes begin early and continue to be active as we go through life, so any sun exposure is actually contributing to the rising levels of hyperpigmentation and sun damage. Wear sun protection in winter, especially when skiing or out for long periods of time and definitely after a chemical peel, to keep your skin healthy and free of sun damage all year round.

Concerned about your skin or looking for an answer to a stubborn skin condition? Book a consultation with our Harley Street skin experts today by enquiring online or calling 0207 637 3208 so that you can find out exactly how we’ll transform your skin.