The winter skin survival guide

After spending the day in temperamental air conditioning and icy winds, there’s nothing as quite comforting as coming home on a cold night to a hot, steamy shower and snuggling up in front of the heater.

On the inside, you probably feel a zillion times better, but your skin may not feel the same way. During winter, all the cold air, hot showers and heating can suck the moisture out of your skin, leaving it dry, rough and flaky. So, it’s prime time to step up the skincare TLC.

Not sure where to start? Read on to find out how to keep your skin healthy in winter.

THE BEST WINTER SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR YOUR FACE

Cleanser

Repeat after me: hydration, hydration, hydration. The cleanser you used to target oiliness in summer might actually dry out your skin now, so swap to a creamy, hydrating cleanser like the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. It’ll still get rid of dirt and oil, but the difference is that it’ll also protect your skin’s natural moisture for a fresh, hydrated complexion.

Exfoliator

To help your skin to shed dead skin cells, step up your exfoliating sessions from one to two per week. A regular scrub using an exfoliator like the Indio Facial Scrub will whisk away dry skin, taking rough, flaky and dull patches with it.

Facial oil

To give parched skin a boost of hydrating goodness, add a facial oil to your winter skin care routine. I’m obsessed with Alpha-H Age Delay Facial Oil. Its concentrated formula is packed with plant oils to deliver loads of nourishment to your complexion, all while giving it a healthy glow.

Moisturiser

It’s vital to follow your cleanser and oil with a rich hydrating and nourishing moisturiser, such as Avene Rich Compensating Cream. You can use it as both a day and night cream to restore lost hydration and protect skin.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR BODY IN WINTER

Hydrating body wash

Sure, your bod may be all covered up and out of sight, but it doesn’t deserve to be neglected! Starting the day by lathering up with a rich body wash like the Johnson’s Extra Rich Moisturising Cream Body Wash will not only refresh your skin, but it’ll also help condition and soften your bod. Just remember to ignore the temptation to shower in scalding hot water – warm is best!

Body exfoliator

Like your face, your bod sheds a hell of a lot of dead skin cells each day, so give it a good scrub twice a week from your neck all the way down to your feet. Pop some of your body exfoliator (we love the Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Body Exfoliator) on an exfoliating mitt, and using circular motions, gently massage it over your entire body, focusing on particularly dry areas like the elbows, knees and heels. You’ll be amazed at how revived and refreshed your skin looks afterwards!

Rich body moisturiser

Now that your bod’s oh-so-clean and flake-free, up its moisture levels with a super-rich moisturiser, like the Nutrimetics Nutri-Rich Body Creme. It’s non-greasy but very nourishing, and won’t irritate sensitive winter skin. For the best results, give your skin a chance to soak up the moisturiser before getting dressed.

Hand cream

If there’s one body part that cops a beating during winter, it’s the hands. Exposed to all the elements, as well as air conditioning and hand washing, your hands and cuticles can end up becoming very dry and cracked. Prevent parched mitts by keeping a nourishing hand cream within arm’s reach all day, every day, Our pick? Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Hand Cream.

What’s your winter skin care routine?