Good Skin: The Winter Routine

Winter has truly arrived and with it harsh winds and central heating, so it's time to retire your lightweight staples in favour of a few richer options.

We’ve compiled a simple step-by-step routine for keeping your skin supple and radiant this winter, whilst of course remaining conscious.

1. Double Cleanse

If you haven't done so already, now is the time to incorporate double cleansing into your skincare routine. When double cleansing, we recommend using oil and balm cleansers to avoid stripping the skin, melt away any makeup and leave your skin feeling nourished.

We recommend using Typology’s 7-Ingredient Cleansing Oil, or Emma Lewisham Illuminating Oil Cleanser, followed by Oskia’s Renaissance Cleansing Gel.

2. Exfoliate

While it may seem counter-intuitive to buff away skin that has been battered by the harsh winds and cold temperatures, regular exfoliation is one of the most important winter skincare tips. Our skin cells dehydrate and die out faster in the autumn and winter months due to the combination of central heating inside and cold temperatures outside. Exolifating removes dead skin cells, allowing products to be absorbed more effectively.

Exfoliating your body as well as your face is essential, which is why we recommend Rhug Estate’s Wild Beauty Exfoliating Body Scrub and Typology’s Exfoliating Cleansing Gel PHA 5% + Aloe vera for the face.

The Poly-Hydroxy Acid (PHA) in the Typology cleanser is a chemical exfoliant that is gentler on the skin than Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA). It also encourages the skin's natural hydration. Those who are just getting started with chemical exfoliants should start with PHA exfoliants.

We recommend exfoliating your face once or twice a week after your double cleanse. Always use SPF when using a chemical exfoliator.

3. Oils

Face oils work a treat for dehydrated skin. Oils provide a wide range of benefits due to the various properties of the botanicals they are blended with, and they can be real treasures if you find the right one for your skin's needs. High quality face oils are high in fatty acids, which are required for a compromised skin barrier.

To avoid that greasy face feeling during the day, we recommend using lightweight oils before going to bed, which is why we love Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Vitamin A Face Oil. For body oil, we suggest Liha’s Idan Oil, which also works as a leave-in hair conditioner.

It’s important to point out that some face oils like coconut and argan, can be too heavy for acne and congestion-prone skin.

4. Serums

When it comes to selecting a serum, you must take a bespoke approach based on what the skin requires, regardless of the season. Winter is the perfect tile to focus on repairing any damage caused during the summer. We know everyone loves their hyaluronic acid serums throughout the year, and they are still highly recommended for use during the winter months.

We also recommend using a light retinol-infused serum to help reduce any sun spots or pigmentation that may have appeared over the summer. Retinol-infused serums will also help to resurface the skin and tighten it by increasing collagen and elastin production. We love Wildsmith Skin’s Active Repair Copper Peptide Serum.

Another great alternative is a serum containing niacinamide to help rebuild skin and strengthen skin barrier function, such as the Jorgobe’s Nicacinamide Serum.

5. Toners and Moisturisers

The purpose of a toner is to refresh your skin gently and maintain your skin’s pH balance. Toner also prepares the skin to drink up your post-cleansing moisturiser.

Make sure to avoid using toners containing alcohol or astringents because this will only weaken your skin's barrier function. Keep them gentle and hydrating for the best results year round.

Winter is the time to introduce creams containing ingredients like squalene, peptides and niacinamide, which protect, hydrate and regenerate.

It's worth noting that, contrary to popular belief, a thicker textured cream isn't always the best choice. Thick moisturisers are great for more mature and dry skin types, but if your skin is oily and acne-prone, don't feel obligated to use one. Instead, mix a few drops of facial oil into your cream to create a slightly thicker barrier.

We recommend Dr Hauschka’s Facial Toner, or RO22’s The Mist, followed by Pietro Simone’s Act 4 The Cream.

Now your skin is ready for snow season.