Winter Skincare: How to Keep Your Skin Glowing in the Colder Months

Ah, winter: the cosy season of thick jumpers, steaming hot chocolate, and crackling fireplaces.

However, between the biting winds and dry central heating air, the colder weather can play havoc with our skin. In fact, it can often feel like we are fighting a losing battle with our skincare routine, no matter what we try!

But don’t worry, we’re here to help you find the right winter skincare routine. From drinking enough water to using the right products, you can say goodbye to winter skin once and for all.

Let’s dive right in!

Why is my skin dry during winter?

If your skin feels flaky, patchy, or irritated during the colder months, you’re not alone! Winter has a habit of drying out our skin , and it’s all down to the chilly, dry air that comes with the season.

When temperatures drop, your body diverts blood flow away from the skin to keep your vital organs warm and toasty. While that’s great for staying safe, it can leave your skin dry during winter and looking a bit dull.

On top of that, winter’s lower humidity levels reduce moisture from the air (and your skin), which can weaken your skin’s barrier. Throw in those icy winds, and it’s no wonder your skin feels a little raw and exposed!

What are the signs of winter dry skin?

Even if we instantly feel the chill in the air, dry skin during winter can creep up on us unnoticed. However, there are some common signs of winter skin to look out for in the colder months:

• Dry or flaky skin
• Skin tightness or feeling ‘stretched’
• Dullness
• Redness or irritation
• Cracked or dry lips
• Rough skin texture

How can I deal with dry winter skin?

1. Avoid harsh products

As your skin is dry during winter already, the very last thing you want to do is to use harsh skincare and makeup products that contain alcohol.

Don’t get us wrong, alcohol in products is great for cleaning out pores and deeply cleansing your skin – particular with oily prone skin. However, alcohol can also strip away too much of those natural oils and leave your skin feeling dry, flaky, or irritated.

As such, using alcohol products on your skin in the winter can compound these effects. Instead, try swapping these harsh products for a rose water and glycerine mix!

2. Turn down the water temperature

A lovely, hot shower or bath is one of the best ways to escape the winter chill – but it’s important not to overdo it during the colder months. That’s because very hot water can deplete your skin’s natural oil, leading to dryness and flakiness.

That’s not to say you should swear off hot showers completely!

Instead, every time you take a shower or bath, aim for ‘lukewarm’ water that still washes away the chill. You should also use moisturising body washes, gently pat your skin rather than rubbing, and apply moisturiser straight away as part of your winter skin routine.

Also keep in mind that over-washing can remove the natural oils from your skin too, so try not to wash more than twice a day at most.

3. Turn down the central heating

As the temperatures outside plummet, we naturally turn to our central heating to keep us warm and toasty during those colder months. However, if you spend too much time in this hot and dry air, it can be quite damaging for your skin.

Again, we’re not saying that you should spend the entirety of winter shivering indoors – you can still enjoy those toasty mornings besides the radiator. Rather, to avoid that winter dry skin, it’s more about flicking the heating on in short bursts to give your skin time to recover.

You can take the opportunity to pull on your thickest jumper and get cosy under chunky throw blankets with a steaming brew. It’s a proper winter vibe!

4. Drink plenty of water

While so much of a winter skincare routine is about hydrating the outside of your skin, you also need to think about the inside too.

In fact, one of the main causes of dehydrated skin is simply not drinking enough water. By sipping on water throughout the day, you’re not only helping your skin stay plump and glowing, but you’re also supporting its natural ability to repair and protect itself. 

So, keep that water bottle topped up and nearby to help avoid winter dry skin!

5. Eat a healthy and balanced diet

Of course, we know the benefits of eating a healthy and balanced diet for your overall health and wellbeing – but did you know it can also work wonders for your winter skin routine?

For example, eating lots of oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel, can replenish the fatty acids in your skin barrier and help protect against the colder weather. The same goes for nuts and seeds, which also include those essential fatty acids.

Too much caffeine can also contribute to dry skin during the winter, so you can also look to switch out your morning coffee for something with less caffeine and more antioxidants. Herbal teas, such as chamomile, green tea, or hibiscus, are a great choice here!

6. Try our collagen supplements

Winter can be tough on your skin, but our collagen supplements are here to help you feel comfortable and confident all season long. That’s because our supplements are not only packed with hydrolysed marine collagen , but skin-loving vitamin C * too.

The best way to think of vitamin C is as a must-have for your immune system. It not only boosts collagen production, but it also helps brighten dull complexions and protects against the chilly winds and central heating of winter. Plus, vitamin C supports your skin’s natural barrier, avoiding that dry skin in winter.

Not to mention that our collagen supplements can help combat those signs of ageing as well. In our clinical trial , 100% of participants reported an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles after 12 weeks!

*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.

7. Find the right winter skin routine

No doubt you already have a skincare routine that you swear by – but it’s important to modify your regimen with the colder weather. That’s why we’ve provided our recommended steps for an effective winter skin routine, below:

1. Cleanse your skin twice a day: The colder mornings might tempt you to skip that first cleanse of the day – but don’t! Overnight, your skin builds up oils and dead cells, so a gentle cleanse in the morning is essential to keep your skin fresh. Then, in the evening, wash away the day—yes, even if you didn’t wear makeup.
2. Use a serum: Winter skin needs a little extra TLC – and a face serum is the perfect way to deliver it. Try our Deep Lift Collagen Serum , which includes all the winter skincare essentials to keep you glowing, such as bakuchiol and hyaluronic acid .
3. Apply a moisturiser: Think of your moisturiser as a winter coat for your skin. Choose a rich, nourishing formula – such as our Deep Lift Day & Night Creams – to help strengthen your skin barrier and keep dryness as bay. 
4. Don’t forget the SPF: Just because it’s chilly, it doesn’t mean that UV rays take a holiday. For the most effective winter skin routine, protect your skin every day with an SPF – even when it’s cloudy.

Ready to put your winter skincare to the test? Start your Absolute Collagen journey today with our collagen supplements or Deep Lift skincare range .