Nail Your Winter Skincare Routine, Day and Night

A change of season means it’s time to change up your wardrobe by switching out light, summer fabrics for more cosy pieces. But it also means it’s time to tweak your skincare routine to make it more winter-friendly. Keep reading for why your skin needs some extra TLC in winter, and how to give it what it’s craving.

Why Your Skin Gets Dry in Winter

If you ask us, there are so many things to love about winter: Fireplaces, hot chocolate, and thick snuggly blankets. Unfortunately, cuddly weather also brings with it cold, dry air which sucks the moisture from your complexion. To make matters worse, hot showers and heaters speed up that dehydration process even further, leading to a compromised skin barrier. Again, a weak barrier doesn’t hold in water as well—and the cycle just continues. This water loss is known as trans epidermal water loss. Other changes include an increased inflammatory effect in the skin. Because of this, we recommend upgrading or modifying your skincare routine in winter to make sure your skin stays healthy and glowing. Here’s how to do it, plus product recs to make your life a little bit easier.

Day: Choose a Gentle Cleanser

Winter skincare is all about adding moisture back into your skin, so stay away from using harsh cleansers that strip your barrier of its natural oils. Ingredients to avoid include additives like sulphates, parabens, fragrances and phthalates, as they can cause irritation. Instead, opt for a creamy, non-foaming cleanser that gently removes dirt and makeup while providing hydration benefits.

Day: Load up on Antioxidants

Any aesthetic medical practitioner, skincare therapist, and dermatologist will tell you that adding antioxidants to your daytime skincare routine is crucial during the summer months, as spending more time outdoors means more exposure to UV rays and pollution, so free radical defence is essential. But what about in winter? As it turns out, these environmental stressors don’t disappear just because it’s grey outside, which means they can still damage your skin cells. Because of this, antioxidant-rich skincare is just as important in the winter as it is in the sunny season. Look for ingredients with free-radical zapping properties like vitamin C, vitamin E and niacinamide to keep your skin strong and protected.

Day: Don’t Forget Sunscreen

For the same reasons as above, sunscreen is a year-round must-have. That said, we know that many sunscreens leave an oily white cast behind, especially on darker skin tones, which can understandably put a lot of people off using it every day. So, instead of telling you all the reasons why you should wear SPF, even in winter, we’re rounding up some of the most-loved sunscreens, according to SkinMiles reviews.

Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF50+

“This is honestly the best sunscreen on the market. Despite being a skincare addict and always trying out different products, I always reorder this product and find myself using it all the time despite having other sunscreens I could use. It gives the most beautiful glow, and everyone always compliments my skin when I am wearing it.”

 – Katlego

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

“5 stars for this one. No break outs. No shine. No white residue – I have olive skin. And the best part – no little balls of sunscreen when applied after your moisturiser. Sadly I have experienced this with NeoStrata. The more you rub the more it makes little balls – that feels like a waste. I rate this as the best I’ve ever used across the premium brands. Makes your skin look polished and finished. Using less makeup with the use of this product.”

 – Donna

Lamelle Helase 50+ Sunscreen

“My go to sunscreen! Been using it for 4 years now. Love the richness of it as my skin tends to be extremely dry especially in winter. Summer tends to be a bit challenging.”

 – Pumeza

Night: Start Using Retinol

Almost everyone can benefit from using vitamin A (aka retinol). It’s not considered the gold standard of anti-ageing skincare for nothing. But as with any active skincare ingredient, it’s important to tread lightly because retinol can come with an adjustment period, during which time it’s common to experience some sun sensitivity, dryness and redness. It’s no wonder that retinol for newbies might sound daunting, especially to those with sensitive skin. If this is you, then you might want to consider incorporating a retinol product into your routine in the colder months, as there’s less chance of sun exposure—even though the rules of retinol still apply: You should introduce it into your night-time routine slowly and always follow up with sunscreen in the morning.

Night: Dial down the Exfoliation

By removing dead skin cells, exfoliation helps prep your skin to absorb moisture better. This makes it essential year-round, but especially during the winter when your skin is parched. That said, it’s important not to overdo it because over-exfoliation can weaken the skin barrier, leading to irritation and dryness. We recommend exfoliating no more than twice a week and sticking to chemical exfoliants, like glycolic and lactic acid, that gently get rid of dead skin cells. It’s also important to alternate nights if you’re using both retinol and chemical exfoliants in your skincare routine.

Night: Really Amp up the Hydration

Your winter complexion needs all the moisture it can get, so keep your skin happy by layering on hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which pulls water into your skin, plus ceramides that lock in all that goodness.