The Winter Skincare Edit

As a dry skinned gal, Winter is certainly no friend to my skin. Getting my skin in to cooperate is hard enough as it is during the warmer months without having to amplify everything by 10 when the temperatures drop.

But switching up our routines for Winter is essential, no matter your skin type. Whether it be simply switching from powder to cream make-up where possible or from light-weight skincare formulas to rich, creamy ones, or changing up your whole routine entirely, the toll that Winter takes on our skin can definitely be managed with the right know-how.

Cream Cleanser

I use a gentle cream cleanser all year 'round because that's just what works for me, but I always recommend switching from a foaming to a creamier cleanser come the Winter months as cream cleansers tend to strip far less of your face's natural oils which is a great way to tackle Winter dryness and irritation. The cleanser I use every single day is QV's Gentle Cleanser. It's milky and wonderfully gentle but still manages to break through makeup and grit, leaving my skin feeling fresh, soft and moisturized.

Heavy Duty Moisturizing

My skin is incredibly difficult so I have to use a variety of moisturizers, varying depending on whether it is morning or night, Summer or Winter. In the morning, I start off with a layer of The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5* and smooth Clinique's Moisture Surge* over that once fully absorbed. It works to repair the skin's moisture barrier over time, which ensures that my skin stays hydrated, even when out in the weather. I've been using ESPA's 24 Hour Replenishing Moisturiser** as an extra step on top of that (when I say that my skin is dry, I mean it). It's thick but layers wonderfully in which it doesn't leave my skin looking or feeling greasy, and is so very hydrating.

Winter nights call for heavy duty moisture, especially if you don't have a humidifier. I start off light with a few drops of Trilogy's Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+* and leave it to soak in for a few minutes. I then smother either FRESH's Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream, which has time-release technology - perfect for replenishing lost moisture, or ESPA's 24 Hour Replenishing Moisturiser** (yet again) all over my face. Right before bed (typically a few hours after my shower and moisturiser routine), I apply The Body's Shop's Sleeping Cream*. It's basically a face mask that sinks in enough to not stick to your bedsheets and gives me THE softest, plumpest skin come the morning.

Use a Facial Oil

Facial oils are worth the hype I promise you! Even if you have oily skin, I highly recommend a facial oil (rosehip is my favourite). It's not as scary as you think trust me. As I've already mentioned, I use Trilogy's Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+* every night and it make such a difference to the overall condition of my skin. On super dry mornings, or days when I know I'm going to out in the cold a lot, I'll even mix a few drops in to my moisturiser for an extra boost.

Hydrating Face Masks

Your skin will be so much happier if you make time for a weekly hydrating face mask (Sunday is my go-to pamper day). I like to use The Body Shop's Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask* when I'm looking for a plump, smooth and glowing finish. It's sticky and has the consistency of honey but gives me a nice amount of much needed nourishment. I also use LUSH's Oatifix on days that my skin feels a little irritated. It is soothing, calming and great for sensitive skin (although a little messy). I reach for LUSH's Cup O' Coffee when I'm after some brightening. It does contain Kaolin clay, but surprisingly, it works for me and smells amazing, too.

Lip Care

I don't know about you, but my lips get super dry and flaky throughout Winter. I carry a balm (look for balms that contain seed and plant butters and oils) around with me everywhere I go. My favourite lip "treatment" is the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask, hands down. It's thick and incredibly hydrating. I pop some on every night before bed for soft, nourished lips come morning. In addition to constantly being smothered in some lip balm or other, I also love to use a lip scrub to slough away any flakes, smooth any rough patches, and just generally maintain the look and feel of my lips. LUSH's lip scrubs are my all-time favourite (always bubblegum)! They taste amazing and contain moisturising oils to really condition the lips.

Body Care

It's not just your face that needs extra nourishment during the colder months - your body does too. I love to use Palmer's Cocoa Butter Body Lotion** on my legs and arms after a shower - it's so hydrating and leaves my skin feeling smooth and moisturised without feeling greasy. I love to use their Cocoa Butter Concentrated Cream** on the driest parts of my body, too. Palmers products are amazing on sensitive skin (opt for fragrance free) and if you happen to suffer from eczema like I do, their products are absolute lifesavers! I've also been using ESPA's Smooth and Firm Body Butter** lately, mostly on my thighs and hips. It's such a thick, hydrating formula than sinks in quickly and leaves my skin feeling soft supple - heavenly.

Haircare

I like to class haircare as a branch of the skincare category too because I guess that we can technically call this step scalp care, right? Sure. Let's go with sure. I like to treat myself to a deep conditioning treatment once a week, typically on Sundays. I reach for Essano's Argan Oil Recovery Hair Mask to replenish any moisture lost due to the dry heat of the office heating system and give my hair a healthy, smooth shine. I also get quite bad static through my hair in the Winter - Redken's Frizz Dismiss Fly Away Fix Finishing Sheets* are amazing at combating static! They're basically dryer sheets.. but for your hair. Genius!

What are your most trusted Winter skincare switch ups? I'm always looking for new hydrating products to try!

Is there anything listed here that you'd like to try?

Some products mentioned in this post have been gifted to me, free of charge. This does not in any way affect my opinion. I will always give my true and honest thoughts and would never recommend anything to my readers that I do not 100% believe in, paid for or not. Integrity is something that I value tremendously. Said items have been marked **

This post also contains affiliate links. I will always disclose such information with an asterisk (*) for full disclosure to my readers. Feel free to find and purchase these products elsewhere if you don't get down like that. :)