Now that the colder months have arrived, you’re probably finding that your summer skincare products are just not meeting your skin’s needs anymore. This is exactly why winter is the perfect time to consider switching up your skincare routine.
No matter what your skin type, there are some absolute skincare staples that we should all be doing this season.
- Cleanser
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Look for a hydrating cleanser if your skin is dry/normal and a sensitive cleanser for oily/combination/sensitive skin. This will allow your skin to soak up the moisture it is craving during the colder months without totally stripping your skin of nourishment. My favourite is the Cosmedix gentle skin cleanser (£48.49). Although pretty steep in price (Christmas is just around the corner, though!), it is super worth it and lasts for ages!
- Toner
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Again, search for a hydrating/gentle toner which won’t strip the skin. The best way to do this is to make sure your toner is alcohol-free. I recommend the Clarins line of toning lotions with either iris or chamomile (they have different ones for each skin type.)
- Moisturiser
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Sometimes moisturisers are avoided by people with oily skin as they believe moisturising will just make them oilier – however, moisturising is a MUST for healthy and glowing skin! For dry/normal skin, look for a hydrating cream to instantly add moisture. If you have oily/combination skin then aim for a moisturiser with gel-like consistency which won’t cause more oiliness. I love the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (£17).
- Exfoliater
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As your skin becomes dryer in the colder months, it is essential that you are exfoliating the dead layers of skin off your face. If you are using a physical scrub, make sure it is gentle enough that it won’t damage your skin. I recommend chemical exfoliants for a deeper/gentler exfoliation – using The Ordinary’s AHA + BHA Peeling Solution (£6.30) twice a week is perfect for this.
If you’re prone to a self-care deep-clean, avoid products that will dry out the skin, like clay masks, as these will strip the skin entirely.
- Sunscreen
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Arguably the most important skincare step – yes, even during winter – is to use sunscreen. The evidence for it slowing the ageing process and protecting against harmful rays is unarguable. I recommend the La Roche Posay Anthelios Shaka Ultra Light Facial Sun Cream SPF50 (£17.50.)
Everyone’s skin is different but sticking to these basic skincare steps will be a sure way of keeping your skin in good health through the winter months.
If you’re looking for more in-depth (and scientific!) skincare guide, why not check out S1 E4 of The Food Medic podcast: No-Nonsense guide to skin health?