With much of the winter behind us, we’ve reached the time of year that tests our skincare to the limit. By now, some of you are discovering that the seasonal routine just isn’t enough to handle the wear and tear — and several months of cold weather still lie ahead. Luckily, it’s simple to bring winter skin back to life. Here’s how we can help.
1 | Fortify the skin barrier.
Most of the signs of winter skin — redness, irritation, uneven texture, dehydration — are a result of a depleted barrier. Strengthen it with barrier-repair treatments to restore skin’s healthy resilience and moisture-locking ability.
Professional tip: Serums are the best delivery method for intensive barrier restoration. For best results, look for a formula with bioidentical glycolipids, like our ultra-concentrated Rejuvenate or the skin-conditioning Protect, to help replace the depleted natural lipids within the skin.
2 | Switch to a calming cleanser.
All too often, ordinary facial cleansers use harsh surfactants that deal daily damage to skin’s barrier. Swap to a gentler product that cleanses without stripping, so the protective layer can do its job — hold essential hydration in and keep inflammation-causing irritants out.
Professional tip: Start clients on a hydrating sulfate-free formula with soothing actives, like Prepare, to balance skin and calm surface redness.
3 | Upgrade your moisturiser.
Dryness is the #1 complaint during the winter months. Cold air outside and indoor heating systems work together to pull moisture out of skin, which leads to stiffening, scaley appearance, flaking, dull tone, and fine lines.
Professional tip: I recommend a PM serum like Recover to help clients replenish the skin while you sleep. Boasting rich emollients, humectants, and skin-repairing antioxidants and retinol, it maximises skin’s moisture content so it feels plump, soft, and supple.
4 | Incorporate gentle exfoliants.
Dry skin generally accumulates a layer of dead cells, becoming dull, rough, powdery, and lifeless. Jumpstart skin’s recovery with some light exfoliation to reveal fresh new skin beneath that’s smoother and more radiant. Bonus: Exfoliating helps other products (like serums and moisturizers) penetrate better.
Professional tip: Stick to non-drying AHA products, like Glow with glycolic acid, which dissolves dead skin without breaking down skin’s natural oils.
5 | Make sure you’re using SPF.
Don’t make the mistake of skipping sunscreen in winter. Even when it’s cloudy or cold out, we’re still exposed to 80% of UV radiation that causes visible damage to the skin. Sun protection is doubly important in wintry climates where light-reflecting snow delivers an additional dose of UVA/UVB rays.
Professional tip: I recommend using a sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 20 or higher; however, a winter-friendly formula should also nourish skin, like our Protect 20.
6 | Don’t forget digital & environmental pollution.
Shielding from pollutants and blue light is a year-round concern, too. Exposure can lead to inflammation, discoloration, impaired healing, and more. Spending less time outdoors doesn’t mean you’re protected in winter — indoors means extra screen time (blue light) and plentiful household pollutants.
Professional tip: For highly effective antioxidant defense, a penetrating serum like Rejuvenate is ideal. The formula double duty for dehydrated winter skin, offering advanced environmental protection plus immediate and all-day hydration.
What to Expect
This complete winter skin recovery regimen will begin boosting moisture immediately. With daily use, you will notice significant visible improvement to the skin in as little as two weeks, depending on your current skin condition. For the future, begin introducing these products into your routine as soon as the weather starts to cool down — starting early means radiant, hydrated skin all season long.
