This month, our Tarporley-based beauty specialist, Lynette Page, offers her essential tips for healthy, hydrated skin this winter
To keep your skin glowing and healthy throughout the colder months, it’s essential to adapt your skincare routine. Here’s how to build a winter-friendly routine that protects and nourishes your skin, using layered products to lock in moisture and provide a robust barrier against the elements.
Switch to a hydrating cleanser
A good winter skincare routine starts with the right cleanser. Harsh cleansers can strip your skin of its natural oils, which are crucial for retaining moisture, so opt for a gentle, hydrating cleanser. Look for products with ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides, which cleanse while helping your skin hold onto moisture. Avoid foaming cleansers that can be drying and instead consider a cream or oil-based cleanser.
Apply a hydrating toner or essence after cleansing
Unlike alcohol-based toners that can be drying, hydrating toners are formulated to deliver moisture directly to the skin. Look for products with ingredients like aloe vera, rose water, or hyaluronic acid. You can apply these with a cotton pad or gently pat them into your skin with your hands to encourage better absorption. This step provides a foundation of hydration, allowing your skin to soak up more moisture as you layer on other products.
Use hyaluronic acid serum
Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, providing deep hydration to the skin. Apply a few drops of a hyaluronic acid serum directly after your toner or essence, while your skin is still slightly damp. This helps the serum penetrate more deeply, locking in that precious moisture.
Choose a nourishing moisturiser
A richer moisturiser is key for winter skincare, acting as a seal to lock in the hydration from the previous layers. Opt for a moisturiser with ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, or squalane, which work to reinforce the skin barrier and prevent water loss.
Incorporate face oils
Face oils are excellent for winter as they add an extra layer of protection. Apply a few drops of a nourishing oil, like rosehip or argan oil, over your moisturiser. These oils help to lock in moisture and act as a barrier against harsh winter conditions. This layering technique can be particularly helpful if you have dry or combination skin, as oils are highly effective in sealing in hydration without making the skin feel heavy or greasy.
Don’t forget SPF
Even though the sun isn’t as intense during winter, UV rays still affect the skin, especially with reflective snow around. Use a broad-spectrum SPF30 (at least) to protect against UV damage, which can accelerate ageing and cause dryness.
Exfoliate gently
Exfoliation is still essential in winter, as it helps remove dead skin cells and allows better absorption of moisturisers and serums. However, over-exfoliating can damage your skin’s natural barrier, so opt for a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week.
Give it a go with my two top picks
Botanical Balance Skin Toner, £46, skingoal.co.uk
With hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and panthenol, this lovely toner hydrates and soothes, while antioxidants help protect from daily stressors.
Perricone MD FG Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Chia Oil, £85, lookfantastic.com
Packed with omega-rich chia seed oil, this luxurious, nutrient-packed facial oil protects the skin’s moisture barrier and improves skin’s elasticity and suppleness.
Lynette Page is a Tarporley-based professional beauty expert with over 25 years of experience in the skincare and makeup industry. Any questions? Email Lynette at lynettepagemakeup@gmail.com
