Some basics – you know your skin better than anyone and what works for someone doesn’t work for everyone. The basis of a skincare routine is always CLEANSING – HYDRATING – SPF (every single day!)
Cleansers remain the same for the most part – they should be used every night, ideally you need to cleanse twice.
First cleanse removes your spf/makeup and second actually cleans your skin. Makeup wipes aren’t an appropriate step as this will just move the dirt around your face, not fun!
Depending on your skin type you might be using a lighter cleanser in the summer – it’s time to amp it up for winter; balm/oil as a first cleanser and gel/milk as the second. I personally use balms all year round as I don’t want my skin to be dry.
These two are part of my current combo: Then I Met You Balm* (£29) and Murad Prebiotic 4-in-1 MultiCleanser* (£38).
For a quick demo of how I double cleanse, check out this quick video below.
SHOP MY PICKS
Keeping the moisture in the skin is essential all year round, in winter I double up adding a hyaluronic acid serum together with a hydrating essence.
I don’t always use all three products but a mist (like the May Lindstrom The Jasmine Garden) is great to use in between your skincare steps and during the day if your skin feels dry. I am liking the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner (£10.95) and Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense (£55) serum.
Winter is the perfect time to increase your acids and retinoids and generally any resurfacing treatment. Though these can safely be used in the summer, I personally prefer to keep them in the wintertime, just to be safe as I spend my summers in Greece, where no matter how much spf I apply and re-apply, the sun is everywhere!
A retinoid will increase your cell turnover and will reveal clearer and smoother skin. These should be used at night, though there are some people that recommend them in the morning, depending on the strength of the formula.
I prefer the prescription strength to be honest (known as tretinoin) but since I’ve acquired quite a few OTC options, I thought I’d give them a go. Specifically this popular Allies of Skin 1A Retinal mask (£105)*. It’s an overnight treatment and it’s non-irritating. I personally use this every night, apart from the night where I want to include an acid. Also it’s the best OTC treatment as it contains Retinaldehyde which is the closest to retinol so it works more effectively.
I don’t use acids too often as I find the exfoliation from my flannel when I clean my skin to be enough and I don’t want to overdo it, but I will occasionally use (maybe once every week or once every two weeks) an acid like Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pads (£87)*.
Finally eye cream is worth it as a targeted treatment, this 3D Black Pine Super Eye Serum (£48)* one by Korres comes highly recommended.
In summer we use lighter moisturisers and this the step where you can change your textures, get thicker creams on your face and layer up. This is also the time of year to add an oil (always the last step). Though if your skin is very dry you might want to use an oil all year round.
From a gel-cream like the Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream (£29)* I’ve switched to something that will protect my barrier like the Madara Rich Hydra-Barrier Cica Cream (£33)* and some nights top it off with an oil to seal the hydration. I love the Wild Source Apothecary Harmony Oil (£58)*.
Sunscreen has to be worn 24/7 but in winter you can switch from an SPF50 to an SPF30, depending where you live and your habits of course. For instance, if you go to work at 6am and come back after the sun has set and you don’t sit near a window, you’re fine with not reapplying for example!
These are the two I’m using now, I’m switching from the Frezyderm Sun Screen Color Velvet Screen SPF50 (£14.99) to the Fenty Skin Hydra Visor Invisible Moisturiser SPF30 (£27). With the Fenty, I don’t actually have to use a moisturiser underneath at all as it’s quite thick.
For a quick overview, here’s what my routine is like:
Morning
Cleanse
Eye Cream
Serum/Essence
Moisturiser
Sunscreen
Evening
Double Cleanse
Acid if using
Eye Cream
Retinol (different night from acid)
Essence + serum
Moisturiser and/or oil
How do you change your routine for winter?
