Winter can be particularly unforgiving on the skin. Cold temperatures, biting winds, and central heating all work to strip away moisture, weaken the skin barrier and leave complexions feeling dry, tight, and sensitised.
Adjusting your skincare routine to prioritise hydration and barrier support is essential at this time of year. From gentle cleansers to richer creams and targeted treatments, these winter skincare essentials will help keep your skin balanced, resilient, and comfortable throughout the colder months.
Cover image courtesy of SHVETS production
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1. Hydrating Cleanser
Hydration is non-negotiable during the winter months. Cold winds and central heating strip the skin of its natural oils, compromising the skin barrier and leaving it vulnerable to dryness and irritation. Using a harsh cleanser will only intensify this effect. While it may feel counterintuitive—particularly for those with oily or acne-prone skin—opting for a hydrating cleanser is essential to maintaining a healthy skin barrier throughout winter.
A budget-friendly option is Byoma’s Creamy Jelly Cleanser, formulated with a barrier-boosting tri-ceramide complex that cleanses effectively while supporting the skin’s natural defences. For something more indulgent, Caudalie’s VinoHydra Moisturising Cleansing Gel gently removes makeup and impurities while preserving the skin barrier, making it especially well-suited to dry and sensitive skin. You can check out more of our cleanser picks here.
Images courtesy of uk.byoma.com and uk.caudalie.com
2. Moisturising Serum as Part of Your Winter Skincare Routine
For the same reasons, a good moisturising serum is an indispensable step in your skincare routine for Winter. Serums formulated with humectants like hyaluronic acid draw moisture into the skin and reinforce the barrier, helping to stave off tightness and dehydration that cold weather often brings.
For a budget-friendly option that still delivers serious hydration, consider something like E45 Face Hydrating Serum — it’s lightweight, gentle, and ideal for layering under your moisturiser without irritation. If you’re looking to elevate your routine with a more luxurious feel and enhanced performance, the cult-favourite Vichy Mineral 89 Booster offers a blend of hyaluronic acid and mineral-rich thermal water that strengthens and plumps skin, leaving it noticeably more supple in harsher conditions.
Images courtesy of e45.com and vichy.co.uk
3. Switching to a Rich Moisturiser or Face Cream for Winter Skincare
During the Winter, you’ll want to opt for a richer, more emollient moisturiser to lock hydration in. It’s your skin’s first defence against harsh winds and dehydrating indoor heat. These heavier creams help reinforce the skin’s natural barrier, lock in moisture and prevent that tight, flaky feeling that colder months often bring.
For a budget-friendly choice that still delivers deeply nourishing hydration, try CeraVe Moisturising Cream — its ceramide-rich, fragrance-free formula is beloved for restoring dry, compromised skin. If you’re looking to treat your skin to something more luxurious, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is a much-loved classic with a richer texture that keeps skin supple and comfortable. If you’re looking for a body moisturiser, you can find more of our favourites here.
Images courtesy of cerave.co.uk and kiehls.co.uk
4. Adding Makeup Remover to your Winter Skincare Routine
After a long day, it’s tempting to reach for makeup wipes, but these can often be surprisingly harsh, disrupting the skin barrier and contributing to dryness and irritation. This is particularly problematic during winter, when skin is already under stress. Instead, an oil-based, emulsifying makeup remover is a far kinder option, effectively breaking down makeup and SPF while simultaneously nourishing the skin.
It may require an extra step, but the payoff is healthier, more resilient skin. A reliable, fragrance-free choice suitable for all skin types is The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser, which gently dissolves makeup — including eye makeup — without stripping the skin of moisture.
Image courtesy of theordinary.com
4. Lip Balm or Treatment to Finish Your Winter Skincare Routine
Cold Winter air can quickly sap moisture from your lips, leading to dryness, flakiness, and uncomfortable cracks — which is why a rich lip balm or treatment should be a non-negotiable part of your seasonal skincare routine. Instead of lightweight glosses that sit on the surface, aim for balms and treatments packed with nourishing emollients to both soothe and protect delicate lip skin.
If you’re looking to elevate your winter lip care with something a bit more luxurious and restorative — perfect for nightly repair or parched lips — the cult-favourite Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask delivers rich hydration while you sleep, leaving lips soft, supple and ready to face brisk air the next day.
Image courtesy of laneige.com
