How to look after your skin in winter

AD – this post contains gifted items. All thoughts are my own.

As the cold weather sets in for a next few months your skin might already be feeling the effects of the cold and central heating. Dry, tight skin, dullness, flakiness. None of these are ways we want to describe our skin but they’re can be the reality for many of us if we don’t have a good skincare routine in place. Here’s how to properly look after your skin this winter.

The cold weather can make your skin feel irritated and red meanwhile when you’re inside, the central heating zaps all the moisture from your skin. You can’t even win with a hot shower to warm up as the hot water strips your skin of all its natural oils. The end result is patchy, dry, blotchy, tight irritated skin that’s crying out for some TLC. As someone who has particularly sensitive skin that does react well to winter conditions I’ve been trying for some years to perfect my skincare routine to create soft, smooth and happy skin! And I think I’ve finally come up with a few things that work.

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Use a cream cleanser

I ditched foaming cleansers years back as they make my skin super tight. These days I stick to a creamy hot cloth cleanser most of the time (I’m not particularly loyal to a certain brand, my current one is the Superdrug Vitamin E one, which for £5, I really like.) I also really like cleansing balms when my skin is in need of a big moisture boost in the depths of winter. My all time favourite, and pretty much the only cleansing balm I’ll use, is Lush’s Ultrabland.

I highly recommend switching to a cream or balm cleanser over foaming or gel cleansers and I just find them a lot gentler and more moisturising.

Stay hydrated

It’s so much easier to keep on top of drinking water in the warmer months but as soon as that cold weather hits we seem to forget that we still need to be drinking plenty of water. Being dehydrated will only make your skin feel worse and look dull. Try a water bottle with timings on it or invest in a bottle that keeps your drinks chilled. I personally prefer water and squash when it’s cool and refreshing not when it’s room temperature so I find I drink more when I use an insulated bottle.

Get the glow

Winter skin can look dull and patchy. Your summer tan has long faded and the harshness of switching between the cold outside temperatures and the central heating indoors is sending your skin crazy. You need to get your glow back. Two products I absolutely swear by in my routine are retinol and glycolic acid. Never, ever use these products together though and always build up tolerance to them. If you haven’t used either before I recommend only using them once or twice a week to start with, and as I’ve said never use them on the same day.

I’ve introduced a retinol serum into my routine. Now I’ve hit 30 I figured it was the right time for such a product. I’m currently using the MZ Skin Retinol Booster and it’s been great. My skin feels super smooth and soft. I don’t suffer with many spots thankfully, just to odd hormonal one here and there but my skin has seemed to clear up a lot quicker since I started using a retinol serum too. I use this anywhere between 3-5 times a week. I started off at just once a week then gradually built it up but I haven’t had any problems at all.

When it comes to glycolic acid my favourite is the cult classic, Pixi Glow Tonic. It’s been a staple in my skincare routine for years. Glycolic acid buffs away dead skin and impurities leaving behind brighter and clearer skin. Now I use a retinol serum I only use glycolic acid on the days I’m not using retinol – so usually between 2-3 time a week.

It’s important to remember to use SPF and a good moisturiser when using products like these too.

Keep it simple

I’m a big believer in simple but effective skincare routines. It’s no good having hundreds of products if they don’t work for you, aren’t right for your skin type or even your age. Less is more I think when it comes to skincare. You want a refined set of products that work hard. It’s also good to switch things up during the different seasons. This is how you’ll cater for your skins needs at different times of the year. A richer moisturiser or a cleansing balm may be needed in winter whereas in summer you might want to switch to a lighter lotion and a creamy cleanser.

You also want a skincare routine that changes as you age. The sad fact is, none of us is getting younger and the products we used in our twenties are necessarily the ones we should be using in our thirties. Switch things up as you get older.

Use a face mask regularly

Nourishing face masks shouldn’t be reserved for special pamper evenings. They should be a key part of your skincare routine. I’m a big fan of Origins face masks and there’s two I like to keep on rotation depending on my skins needs.

First up is the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask which is perfect for dehydrated skin. It’s an intensely hydrating overnight treatment that will leave your skin refreshed.

Next up is the Original Skin Retexturizing Mask. This is a great one as it’s a 2-in-1 mask that deep cleans but also delicately refines the skin to leave it smooth and clarified. I like a clay mask but I like the refining particles in this one too. It leaves my skin soft and glowing.

You should be looking at using a face mask once a week as a skincare boost.

And that’s it! It’s pretty simple but as I’ve said, I believe simplicity is key when it comes to taking care of your skin. Looking after your skin in winter is all about staying hydrated and switching out your products for some that provide a little extra moisturisation. Once you have the right products and you’re using them daily, soft, glowing skin will be yours even in the coldest of weather!

What skincare products do you swear by in winter? Let me know in the comments!

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