I haven’t written a winter skin post in a while and so, kicking off the bid to get this little blog back on track, I thought I would share some updated tips on looking after your skin during the colder months. We’ve had a very mild autumn but we are now seeing some sharper temperatures here in the UK and the changeable weather combined with central heating can play havoc with your skin. Let’s not even contemplate throwing in the inevitable winter bugs too…
It’s important to pay particular attention to your skin prep through the colder months as if nothing else, winter ravaged skin is not an ideal base for makeup. During the winter months our skin can be dry (even if your skin isn’t naturally disposed to being so), dehydrated and dull and it can also be more prone to irritation and patches of eczema so it may be necessary to look at the products you are using on your skin possibly switch them up for something else.
I believe the best tactics during the winter months are to keep skincare simple, focus on skin-nourishing ingredients and layering up your skincare.
Cleansing
I’m a big fan of cleansing oils and oil-based cleansing balms and switching your regular cleansing cream or foam wash for a richer alternative can help make the world of difference to unhappy winter skin. If you’re wearing makeup or have been out and about it may be worth doing a double cleansing and using two different products to give a deep, nourishing cleanse.
Cleansing oil wise, one of my favourites is the Kalahari Cream Cleansing Oil from Evolve Beauty (£21.00); it’s lightweight but super nourishing. Another favourite is Good Oils Cleansing Oil from Terra Verdi (£29.00) which is great for replenishing the skin during the winter months. Another one on my radar is Balmonds Omega Rich Cleaning Oil (£16.00), which is full of nourishing organic oils.
I love a cleansing balm in the winter months and Balance Me Super Berry Cleansing Balm (£45.00) and the Wild Rose Beauty Balm from Neals Yard Remedies (£40.00) are both wonderful products. If you want a balm that’s a little more wallet friendly then check out the Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Cleansing Balm (£13.50) or Evolve Beauty’s Gentle Cleansing Melt (£27.00), both are gentle but packed full of nourishing ingredients.
If you want to just keep it simple, use an organic base oil such as the Fushi Jojoba Oil (£18.00).
Serum-ing
I LOVE a serum and have learnt over the years that they can really make a difference to your routine – even just by adding a couple of drops to your moisturiser!
If you are looking for a product to put directly onto your skin after cleansing then look no further than the Peptide Serums from Nourish London. My favourites by far are the Argan Anti-Ageing Serum (£35.00) and the Radiance Rejuvenating Serum (£27.00) but there is something for everyone. I have a post on the former coming in the new year so stay tuned for that and the latter I discussed back in 2021 (you can read more about it here).
A couple more suggestions are the Australian Blue Cypress Face Nectar from Ere Perez (£36.00) and the SuperFruit Concentrate from Odylique (£34.00), which is a kind of hybrid oil/serum but a product I have been a fan of for YEARS!
If you just want to save time and simply add a few drops to your moisturiser then Boosters are for you. I had huge respect for the BYBI Booster serums (the Strawberry and Bakuchiol boosters in particular) but sadly the company sold up in 2024. Filling the gap are the Serum Booster Drops from Weleda (£12.95). Despite having only launched in September (2025), the range is already gaining traction and I can say they are lovely, so take a look!
Also worth a mention are the Boosters from Pai (£19.00). There are a few in the range so take a look at see what you could do with topping up on in your skincare.
Exfoliating
Winter skin can look a little lacklustre so use an exfoliator to remove the dead cells and debris. Just once or at a push twice a week can make a difference but make sure you choose a gentle exfoliator as anything too abrasive can cause irritation.
I currently have two exfoliators on the go; Vicious Circle from Pai (£34.00 – although weirdly not on their website at the moment) and Rose Quartz Facial Polish from Evolve Beauty (£24.00). Both a gentle on even the most sensitive of skins and leave your skin feeling clean and clear – with a glow!
Moisturising
Top all this off with a rich, nourishing moisturiser. Some of you may find it enough just to add a booster to your regular day and/or night cream but I definitely need a richer moisturiser during the winter months.
Like most of my products I am inconsistent and rarely use the same product time and time again. Previous winter favourites have included the Jasmine Enriching Cream from Neal’s Yard Remedies (£32.00), Pai’s Love and Haight (£39.00) and Rose Otto Honey Moisturiser from Therapi (from £14.00).
Masking
Face Masks can be a real treat for skin and there is nothing I like more than slathering on a mask and seeing a pretty much instant difference. In the winter I tend to favour hydrating masks over an exfoliating, clay or enzyme mask or peel; I find them much kinder on unhappy skin.
There are some absolute bangers out there at the moment but I adore Resurrection Girl from Pai Skincare (£44.00). This mask smells and looks delightful and works like an absolute dream, I’ve used it for a good two or three years now and shared my love for it while back. Another frequent visitor to my bathroom is the Intense Hydrating Mask from Evolve Beauty (from £17.00), gorgeously creamy and rich, it’s a treat for skin. Finally the Honey Rich Nutrition Mask (previously called the Honey and Jasmine mask) from The Organic Pharmacy (£35.00). Just beautiful!
Miscellaneously
Multi-tasking balms can be a great product to have around during the winter months. For every sore bit, dry bit or wind chapped bit, multitaskers can protect, soothe, hydrate and nourish your skin.
There are some truly fabulous balms out there but my favourites (in no particular order) are Beauty Kitchen Handbag Beauty Balm (£14.50), Ultra Rich balm from Odylique (£23.50 – they also do a vegan version Ultra Rich V [£24.50]) and Nourish’s Antioxidant Multi-tasking Super Beauty Balm (£36.00).
Two final recommendations are real winter essentials for me, particularly when it’s sub zero. I usually have both on the go but I tend to use them for different things; Weleda’s Calendula Skin Protection Balm (£9.95) and Odylique’s Calendula Balm (from £10.00).
Do you have a winter skincare routine? What are your go-to products?
