Skip to content

FREE Next Working Day Delivery. Order Before 4pm (UK Only)

Photo of a box of Maxerum serum standing on top of a pile of pumpkins with straw in the background
November 17, 2023

Winter and Skin Care: Absolute Collagen's Guide

7 mins read By Darcy Laceby skin

Does your skin dry out in winter leaving you in a rush to create a winter skin care routine? Well, we wanted to share our own expert advice on how you can minimise the impact of winter with collagen!

Winter is nearly upon us once again and, while we do love the changing of seasons, the cold weather can play havoc with our skin. But don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of advice on the best winter skin treatments and vitamins for winter as well as how to keep your skin from drying out in winter. 

We will also talk about how to enhance your skincare routine during winter with collagen supplements. 

Let’s dive right in!

Why is your skin dry during winter?

It’s quite common for skin to dry out during winter causing flaky, patchy, and irritated skin. This is often caused by our skin’s reaction to the dry air of the colder months. 

When the weather is colder, our bodies naturally divert blood flow from the skin to more central parts of the body to ensure you stay safe and healthy. This decrease in blood flow often leaves skin looking dry and dull.

The cooler the temperature, the lower the humidity. This drop in moisture can reduce our skin barrier function - the layer of skin that acts as a barrier against toxins, allergens, and harmful chemicals. Add in the chilling and blistering winds of winter, and our skin can be left feeling quite raw and exposed.

All of this can lead to irritated skin that is prone to cracking and fissuring, as well as a flare up of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea.

Top tips for winter skin care

Dry skin in winter can leave you feeling not at your best, so we’ve got some winter skin care tips to keep you looking and feeling better, which includes the best winter vitamins to take.

1. Avoid harsh products

When skin is dry in winter, the last thing you want to do is dry it out even more by using products containing harsh chemicals like alcohol. 

While alcohol in products is great for cleaning out pores and deeply cleansing your skin, particularly oily prone skin, it is usually best to avoid products containing high levels of alcohol in the winter. Check the label for how much alcohol is in the product.

2. Turn the water temperature down

A lovely, hot shower or bath can be relaxing, especially in the winter months, but this might not be so helpful if your skin is dry during winter. That’s because very hot water can deplete your skin’s natural oil.

However, we don’t want you to cut them out completely from your winter skin care routine! So, when you do take a shower or a bath, make sure the water is lukewarm, you use moisturising body washes, gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing, and apply moisturiser as early as possible.

Remember, over-washing can remove the natural oils on your skin, which leads to that winter dryness. So, don’t wash your skin more than twice a day.

3. Wear layers at home

When the weather gets chillier, a lot of us reach to flip the heating on, but this hot and dry air can be quite damaging for your skin. 

If you do feel as though your skin is dry in winter, but you need a way to stay warm, you can try layering up. Start with a light and breathable base – silk or cotton in a high percentage is best – and build on top. 

Winter means sweater weather - so be sure to pull on your thickest jumpers over your base layer. Just be mindful you’re not wearing ones that are scratchy or made using rough materials like wool as this can further irritate your skin.

4. Eat a healthy and balanced diet

Just as it is all year round, a healthy and balanced diet is important for your overall health and wellbeing – and the same goes for your winter skin routine.

Some foods to include are oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel, and more nuts and seeds. Oily fish contains omega oils which replenish the fatty acids in your skin barrier, while nuts and seeds will give you those essential fatty acids as well.

Too much caffeine can also be damaging for dry skin in winter, so look to switch your morning coffee out for something with less caffeine and more antioxidants. Herbal teas like chamomile, green tea, or hibiscus are great choices!

5. Consider taking winter supplements

Vitamin C* is a fabulous winter skin care supplement, and you’ll find this helpful antioxidant in our Absolute Collagen sachets. This vitamin helps your body get the most out of the collagen sachets, which means it’s doubly important to continue during the winter with collagen supplements!

Also, as we spend more time in darkness during winter, it can be beneficial to take vitamin D in winter as well. Our bodies don’t get enough high-quality sunlight in the colder, darker months to produce enough of its own, so it’s an essential vitamin for winter.   

Vitamin D deficiency can cause bone pain, muscle weakness, cramps and aches, as well as fatigue and mood changes. So, to help aid all of that, as well as fight off dry skin in winter, taking vitamin D in winter, in addition to taking your winter collagen supplements. 

*Each sachet of Absolute Collagen contains 60 mg of Vitamin C, which is 75% of your daily Nutrient Reference Value. Enjoy a daily dose of Absolute Collagen as part of a balanced, healthy diet and active lifestyle.

Create a winter skin care routine

A good skin care routine is important all year round but putting together a specific winter skin care routine can help protect your skin from the harsh weather of the colder months and maximise the impact of your winter collagen.

1. Avoid foam cleaners

You should always be looking to cleanse your skin in the morning and before bed, but in winter it’s best to use a hydrating cleanser. Cream or oil-based non-soap cleansers are ideal for the winter as they aren’t as drying as foam-based cleaners.

2. Skip the toner

You can typically skip the toner part of your winter skin routine. Most toners contain alcohol which - as we learned before – can further dry out the skin. However, you can pick up a rose water and glycerine mix instead if you’d like - just check you’re purchasing one that doesn’t contain alcohol!

3. Stay hydrated

Make sure you’re staying hydrated, not only by drinking enough water, but also by using the right moisturiser for the wintry weather. You should also try to use an ointment or cream-based moisturiser, as they offer more hydration for your skin. This step goes hand-in-hand with your winter collagen daily doses.

4. Don't forget the SPF

And last but not least – let’s talk SPF! Most people know the importance of wearing an SPF in summer, but this is just as important for winter skin care. The sun might be behind the clouds, but the UV rays can still reach your skin and cause damage. A factor 30 SPF will cover all you need, but feel free to go up to factor 50 for a bit more protection.

SPF should always be the last step in your winter skin care routine, so make sure to apply this after your winter collagen-boosting serums and moisturisers!

If you don’t want your skin to be dry in winter and you’re ready to create your perfect winter skin care routine, then check out our range of winter collagen supplements and moisturising creams.

Next article

Related articles