Winter skincare guide As the seasons change and the weather gets colder, the skin on our body can become drier. To tackle this, many people end up changing their entire skincare routine for winter. While your skin may need a little extra help, your skin type hasn't changed so, effective winter skincare just means adding one or two products into your routine to provide extra hydration and nourishment. What causes dry skin in winter? The temperature drops and the cold winds blow, there's low humidity both indoors & out and the chilly air is dry. It's clear: winter is hard on the skin! In addition to the low humidity outdoors, your skin is also under assault from the dry, heated air indoors. The combination of cold & dry outside and hot & dry inside sends already-dry skin into a tailspin. Combination and oily skin types are not off the hook either. If you have oily or combination skin you may find that these conditions cause your skin to look and feel dry, sensitive, red, dehydrated and uncomfortable. How does winter affect your skin? Our skin feels dry & tight because the warm heating inside contrasts with the low temperatures & strong winds outside. Not to mention that enjoying extra hot showers and baths during the cold winter months can actually strip moisture from the skin. Common symptoms of winter skin include: Dehydration Redness Tightness Flaking Continuous discomfort But don't worry. Having a well-formulated skincare routine year round means that you don't need to change your whole routine to adjust for the winter. Simply alter the textures of your current products (opt for a thicker moisturiser or creamier cleanser) or add in a very hydrating product for very dry skin. Keep your skin comforted and smooth with winter skincare essentials that lock in moisture, nourish the skin and keep the cold environment from dimming your natural radiance. What skincare products do I need for winter? The #1 skincare tip for winter is that a winter skincare routine doesn't mean a complete change of products. Instead, it is best to listen to your skin and tailor your routine by adding one or two products, since it is important to stay consistent with skincare routines. Your revised routine could look like this: Use a cleanser to get rid of built-up dirt, impurities and pollutants. Follow your cleanser with an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and give your skin a natural glow. Exfoliants also help to calm redness, a common concern at this time of year. And lastly, don't forget to moisturise all day, every day. Remember that UV rays are harmful all year round, especially when reflected on snowy surfaces, so never leave home without applying an SPF of 30 or higher. Winter skincare essentials for body The skin on our bodies needs love and attention too, even though most of it is covered up at this time of year. Neglecting it can lead to extremely dry, dull and flaky skin due to the build-up of dead skin cells. To avoid this, try using 10% AHA Body Lotion, which gently exfoliates away dry skin, leaving you with super-smooth skin. It also works well on dry heels and elbows. If you experience little red bumps or bacne, our 2% BHA Body Spot Exfoliant is a great option. The active 5% Niacinamide Body Serum will keep your skin smooth & soft by effectively hydrating the skin and restoring the skin barrier. Follow these products with either the Ultra-Rich Soothing Body Butter or Daily Replenishing Body Cream to nourish and protect the skin even more. What serums to use in winter If you experience a lot of dryness during winter, it is important to protect and restore the skin's natural barrier. Opting for a toner is a great way to replenish the skin's surface. Serums also restore hydration, such as the OMEGA+ COMPLEX Serum which is packed with nourishing omega fatty acids, providing intense hydration and helping to avoid moisture loss. If you're looking for a lighter but still powerful serum to add into your routine, our Power Berry Serum is your go-to. It features 95% natural ingredients that repair, revitalise & hydrate the skin while still protecting from environmental damage. An ultra-hydrating moisturiser added to your routine will also help restore your skin, so choose the Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturiser for a burst of hydration that replenishes the water content of your skin. Should I exfoliate in cold weather? If you are dealing with dry, flaky skin during the winter months, it can be tempting to use a scrub to get rid of all those dead skin cells. Unfortunately harsh, abrasive scrubs can damage your skin, causing moisture loss and ironically even more dryness. Instead it's best to remove dead skin cells with an AHA or BHA leave-on exfoliant. If you normally use a gel or liquid exfoliant, try switching to a lotion during the winter. If you have normal to dry skin, our SKIN PERFECTING 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant is a great choice. If you usually have oily, combination or breakout-prone skin but you are suffering from dry patches, try our SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant. Step up the hydration by adding our Hyaluronic Acid Booster straight after exfoliating to relieve dry skin and give your skin a little plump. How to stop dry lips in winter Lips are sensitive to cold weather because they produce less oil than the rest of the face, so it's important to take extra care of them during winter. Protect and nourish them during the day with our Lip Balm SPF 50 or for chapped lips, apply our Lip & Body Balm. Bonus tip: massage a bit of our Moisture Renewal Oil Booster on your lips, then seal with the Lip & Body Balm as an overnight lip mask and say hello to luscious lips! How to help dry, flaky hands Cold, windy and wet weather can cause hands to become dry and painful with brittle nails and frayed cuticles. Help is at hand though! Use our Ultra-Rich Soothing Body Butter to hydrate the skin in winter, repeating as often as needed and always after hand-washing. Our Lip & Body Balm is a true multi-tasker that takes care of cuticles. To exfoliate dry hands, use our 10% AHA Body Lotion. Bonus winter skin tip: our SKIN RECOVERY Mask doubles as an ultra-rich hand cream. How to relieve redness in winter Low temperatures and harsh winds can cause skin to become more sensitive, irritated or red. Pamper your skin with calming ingredients to relieve redness and soothe the skin. Our Moisture Renewal Oil Booster helps the skin to retain moisture and gets rid of dry and flaky skin, making it perfect for sensitive skin types. If you're looking for a serum that hydrates skin and calms redness at the same time, opt for our OMEGA+ COMPLEX Serum that helps protect and restore the skin's natural barrier. Need a little extra TLC? When getting ready for bed, put on the Super Hydrate Overnight Mask as the last step in your nighttime skincare routine. Specially formulated for sensitive skin, it reduces redness, soothes the skin and delivers long-lasting hydration while you sleep. How can I add extra moisture to my routine? Adding a hydrating serum or changing your exfoliant from a liquid or gel formula to a lotion is great for dry skin during the colder months. Indulging in a little extra pampering will work wonders on your skin – and spirits! The RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturiser has skin-restoring ingredients that rebuild and maintain a healthy skin barrier, allowing skin to hold in moisture during the colder months. Using an overnight mask once a week saves time and will ensure you wake up to healthy, glowing skin. Use our Radiance Renewal Mask for a radiant complexion. For an extra boost of hydration apply the Super Hydrate Overnight Mask as the last step in your night-time routine. How to soothe dry eyes Cold, windy weather also means the delicate skin around your eyes can get drier. To deeply nourish dehydrated skin in the eye area, turn to the OMEGA+ COMPLEX Eye Cream to strengthen the skin's natural resilience and calm irritation. Packed with shea butter and peptides, the RESIST Anti-Ageing Eye Cream also works well as an overnight eye mask – say hello to long-lasting hydration and wave goodbye to fine lines. In search of a little more radiance around your eyes? Apply the CLINICAL Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream to achieve just that and more. Learn more about skincare for dry skin.