Winter Wonderful: A Cold-Weather Skincare Guide

The annual battle for a hydrated, healthy complexion is on. Luckily, what chilly air, indoor heat and low humidity can do to your face, our selection of ultra-effective products can quickly undo. From rich moisturisers to gentle cleansers, strengthening serums and sun protection, these winter skincare essentials have got you (and your skin) covered when it comes to warding off the harshest elements of the season.

Step One: Cleanse

Kick off your cold-weather TLC routine with a thorough cleanse – one that’s mainly focused on gentle care and hydration. Skip the foamy, drying cleansers that might work well in the summer and instead opt for creamy or oil-based cleansers that won’t strip your skin’s natural barrier. For a delicate option, this SkinCeuticals cleanser is packed with soothing orange oil and emollients that calm and cleanse without being abrasive. 

Also, look for nourishing ingredients, such as glycerine and peptides, that soothe your skin while locking in that much-needed moisture; avoid products with added fragrances, as they can cause redness, burning and excessive dryness. Dr. Loretta’s hydrating cleanser is not only mild and unscented, it’s also sulphate-free and fortified with marine peptides that keep skin quenched even if you’re in a dry or air-conditioned space all day.

Step Two: Strengthen

High-performance ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides are skincare heroes all year long, but they’re especially beneficial in winter due to their hydrating and strengthening properties. Think of hyaluronic acid as a refreshing glass of water for your face, keeping skin hydrated even when cold weather and indoor heating are siphoning every drop of moisture. Ceramides, for their part, are like the superglue holding everything together, retaining moisture and reinforcing skin barriers while also healing dry patches and reducing irritation and sensitivity. 

For a serious two-in-one punch, Medik8’s Hydr8 B5 serum supplies hyaluronic acid (for moisture) and vitamin B5 (for skin cell regeneration), resulting in a plumper, healthier-looking complexion. For a budget-friendly option, this serum by The Ordinary features ceramides and five forms of hyaluronic acid, claiming to deliver long-term hydration and visibly softer lines after a month of use. For maximum efficiency, apply either serum while your skin is still damp.

Step Three: Hydrate

When you need hydration stat, it’s tempting to go for the thickest, creamiest daily formulas, but here’s the twist: light, water-based options will provide that same burst of moisture, minus the heavy, greasy aftermath. They also sink in faster, giving your skin an instant hydrating boost without weighing it down. Plus, the lighter texture makes layering easier without clogging pores. 

If you have an oily complexion and find yourself dealing with the occasional breakout even in the dead of winter, Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel will tend to all your skincare needs. The main ingredient, squalane, adds featherweight hydration while keeping redness in check and excess oil at bay. The added probiotics balance and soothe for a clearer, calmer complexion. 

If you’re on the dry side of the skin spectrum, Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream is a thirst-quenching saviour for parched, extra-dry skin thanks to its nourishing blend of ceramides, peptides and shea butter. The result? An instantly bouncier, fresher, softer face.

While you’re at it, don’t overlook another area of the body that’s also prone to cracking and scaling during the colder months: your hands. This Nécessaire hand cream is also a multi-ceramide and multi-peptide treatment that’s fast-absorbing and ultra-conditioning to keep fingers in buttery-soft shape. And in case you were wondering, they’ve got a body version, too.

Step 4: Boost

Besides dull, flaky skin, winter weather is also responsible for oxidative stress, leaving skin more vulnerable to free-radical damage that accelerates the signs of ageing. A one-word solution? Antioxidants. Ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid and niacinamide neutralise those free radicals to prevent long-term damage and preserve the skin’s vitality. And with the reduced sunlight exposure that comes with the season, antioxidants also help brighten the complexion and boost collagen production, all for a more protected and restored skin. Prequel’s brightening serum has a powerful blend of vitamin C, ferulic acid and niacinamide that deactivates those free radicals and combats the signs of ageing for a brighter, firmer and more glowing complexion.

Another option that’s totally worth the splurge? This face oil by Kora, an organically sourced oil brimming with antioxidants and fatty acids like rosehip, jojoba and seed oils for extra-smooth, luminous skin without the usual heavy consistency of oils. Whichever oil you choose, apply it after your moisturiser has fully absorbed to lock in hydration and create an extra layer that prevents water loss.

Step 5: Protect

While you might be going out less and covering up more during this time of the year, harmful UV radiation is still very much present. Harmful sun rays penetrate clouds and are reflected on snow and windows, so the risk doesn’t go anywhere. In other words, it’s not the time to hold back on sunscreen. So, why not solve two issues in one with a product that offers skin-plumping moisture with nourishing ingredients?

Not only dermatologist-approved but dermatologist-created, Lightsave’s mineral sunscreen is the perfect combo of clean sun protection and hydration. The SPF 33 formula is bolstered by plankton extract and lingonberry stem cells, which repair sun damage and protect against blue light-induced damage, plus niacinamide and squalane to restore, hydrate and even skin tone. 

For a vegan option, Kinship’s bestselling sunscreen ramps up the skincare game with a formula rich in probiotics and anti-inflammatory ingredients, like turmeric, that improve the skin’s appearance and strengthen its barrier while fully guarding against sun damage. 

Step 6: Rest

It’s called ‘beauty sleep’ for a reason. While you’re catching those z’s, the skin is hard at work recovering from all the damage it was exposed to during the day while also replenishing moisture, elasticity, blood flow and collagen production. Now, add a few powerhouse ingredients that work their magic while you sleep. For regularly dry skin, this overnight mask by Youth to the People has an unctuous consistency loaded with antioxidant-rich superberries and vitamin C that quickly melts into the skin, leaving it soothed, dewy and radiant in the morning.

When it comes to lip hydration, this overnight lip mask by Laneige boasts a nourishing formulation of coconut oil, murumuru butter, shea butter and antioxidants that can heal chapped lips in seconds without the sticky, greasy effect. Plus, it comes in four different scents and features a light tint for a quick no-makeup makeup effect during daytime use.