It’s now that you start to feel it; your skin changes texture as the temperatures suddenly dip. The combination of cold weather and central heating leaves your complexion duller, drier, and in need of a new routine. So how do you map out a winter skincare routine that works for your temperamental complexion? Keep scrolling for a daytime and night-time ritual that nourishes even the most weather-beaten pores…
What happens to your skin in winter?
When mercury drops, your skin will often experience a sudden shift in pH balance. This is caused not only by the cold, windy weather outside, but also the warm central heating inside. These two extremes – cold and warm – can affect the moisture levels in your complexion and, as a result, you might notice your skin is drier, less radiant and more sensitive, with visible fine lines. The good news is, there are ways you can restore balance to keep pores cared for through the winter months. The key is adding more nourishing formulas – from cleansers to serums – to your day and night routines.
Your daytime winter skincare routine
You update your wardrobe for winter, so why wouldn’t you switch up your morning skincare too? Start each day off right with the ultimate daytime dry skin routine for winter.
1. Purify with a gentle cleanser
Swap harsh, exfoliating formulas for gentle yet effective cleansers in winter. You want your face to feel fresh and purified, but never stripped, which is why nourishing ingredients are key. Our Complete Cleansing MicroFoam will tend to delicate pores by quickly sweeping away any impurities, while an infusion of mineral-rich spring water (sourced from Japan) will lock in essential hydration.
How to apply: Massage one pump of the Complete Cleansing MicroFoam into damp skin to create a frothy lather, then rinse thoroughly and gently pat your skin dry.
2. Apply a protective serum
Now your skin is thoroughly cleansed, you can move on to the next essential step in your winter skincare routine: serum. In the cooler months, you want to make sure your serum has a boost of antioxidants in it, as these neutralise the free radicals (found in the air that surrounds you) that cause dry and irritated skin. Our hero serum, Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, gives your pores the defence they need, while enhancing the function of immunity cells for added protection. It’s also powered by double anti-ageing technology, so skin looks healthier, radiant and more youthful with every pump. It’s the ultimate multitasker.
How to apply: Smooth one or two pumps of Ultimune over your skin, starting from the centre of your face and massaging in upwards and outwards motions. Then apply to your neck and décolletage. Allow the silky serum to sink in before you move on to the next step.
3. Nourish with a richer day cream
The next step in your routine is finding a moisturiser that’s suited to your skin type. If your skin is dry or irritated, use a richer day cream, like the Vital Perfection Cream Enriched. It’s suitable for all skin types, but especially parched pores that are craving added hydration. The velvety formula feels instantly comforting, giving winter skin the care it deserves. If your skin is oily, use a lighter formula that still delivers a dose of nourishment. WASO SHIKULIME Color Control Oil-Free Moisturizer combines a hint of a tint with weightless moisture, so pores are soothed and smoothed.
How to apply: Apply a thin layer of cream all over your face and allow it to absorb, then layer up in areas that need more moisture, like the cheeks or forehead.
Your night-time winter skincare routine
Reap the full rewards of beauty sleep by switching up your routine for night-time. In winter, it’s more crucial than ever to go to bed with treatments that restore and repair.
1. Double cleanse your skin
Are you double cleansing your skin? At night-time, two washes are a must; one to remove makeup and surface grime, and another to work deep down into your pores. We recommend starting with an oil-based cleanser, which works like a magnet to draw out impurities. Follow that with a sudsy gel or foam to leave your complexion super-fresh and ready for your serums and night treatments.
How to apply: Massage the Perfect Cleansing Oil into dry skin first, making sure you pay extra attention to lips and lashes. Then add water to emulsify the oil before rinsing your face clean. While skin is still damp, wash with the Complete Cleansing MicroFoam (the same cleanser you used in the morning) and, again, rinse thoroughly before patting skin dry.
2. Use a serum for eyes and face
As with your daytime routine, your Ultimune Serum comes next in your night-time winter skincare routine. Don’t forget about eyes – the skin around the eye area is extra delicate and thin, and therefore it’s important to use specialised products. Our NEW Ultimune Power Infusing Eye Concentrate is perfect for targeting dryness, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and loss of resilience while you rest. It also provides a shield-like effect to help reduce friction damage if you rub your eyes when tired.
How to apply: Apply your Ultimune Serum with the same technique you used in the morning. Follow with the Ultimune Power Infusing Eye Concentrate. Apply one pump to the back of your hand, and use your ring finger to gently tap around the eye area.
3. Layer in a retinol
If you’re wondering what order you should apply your skincare in, remember this: it’s always best to start with the thinnest texture and build up to the thickest. Retinols tend to be richer than serums, so they should come after Ultimune. They’re your secret weapon when tackling wrinkles and restoring a glow to your complexion. They also boost the efficacy of products used after. Just keep in mind that, because they’re so effective, you may need to introduce them slowly into your routine. Start with every other day for the first two weeks, as this will help your pores build up a tolerance to their potent benefits. The Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Serum is ideal, as it contains retinol along with deeply moisturising ingredients to eliminate fine lines caused and soften the appearance of deep wrinkles.
How to apply: Taking care to avoid the delicate eye area, massage the Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Serum from the centre of your face outwards. Where deeper wrinkles are visible, you can dab on a little extra serum with fingertips.
4. Repair with an overnight treatment
Seal in your serums with a night cream. Vital Perfection Overnight Firming Treatment melts into the skin instantly and leaves your complexion feeling intensely moisturised. At night is when our skin cells are working at their hardest to repair, renew and regenerate, so make the most of it with this intensive night cream. It helps to improve resilience, firmness and elasticity for a lifted and brighter looking skin come morning.
How to apply: Apply the Vital Perfection Overnight Firming Treatment over the top of your serums. Make it the last thing you do before bed, then settle down for a restful night while your routine does all the hard work.
Up next:
With these steps, your complexion will retain its glow from winter right through to spring. For more tips on how to nourish parched pores, read our guide to soothing dry skin during menopause.