Photography by Harper Sunday
During winter, our skin often needs a little extra care. Cold outside air and heated air indoors can strip away moisture, leaving skin feeling dry, tight and irritated. But winter skincare doesn’t have to be complicated – it’s less about using more products and more about
protecting your skin barrier and locking in hydration. With a few simple adjustments, you can keep your skin healthy, protected, and comfortable all season long.
Photography by Olimpia Campean
FACE
Every skin type responds differently to colder weather, so adjusting your routine to suit your skin’s needs can make all the difference.
Dry skin tends to struggle the most in winter, so the goal is to rebuild and protect the skin barrier. Use a creamy, non-foaming cleanser and layer hydration with a humectant (like a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid) followed by a rich moisturiser containing ceramides or shea butter. At night, you can even add a thin layer of an occlusive (like petroleum jelly), over dry areas to seal everything in. Avoid products that contain alcohol.
Oily skin doesn’t stop producing oil in winter, but dehydration that’s common during the colder months can actually make your skin overproduce oil to compensate. Opt for a gel or low-foam cleanser, and switch to a lightweight, non-comedogenic cream or gel-cream. Ingredients like niacinamide can help balance oil while keeping the skin barrier healthy.
Photography by Michela Ampolo
Combination skin usually means a mix of dry cheeks and an oilier T-zone, which can get more pronounced in winter. Choose a thicker cream for dry areas and a lighter type for oily zones. Hydrating toners or serums can help balance everything without making the oily parts greasy. Be cautious with exfoliation though – focus on congested areas rather than your whole face.
Mature skin benefits from extra nourishment during winter. Richer creams, peptides, and active ingredients like retinol can still be used, but pair them with strong hydration to prevent irritation. Oils (like argan, jojoba or rosehip) can also help add suppleness and reduce tightness and dryness. Always patch test new products, especially anything with active ingredients.
Photography by Xandro Vandewalle
Sensitive skin often becomes even more reactive in cold weather. Keep your routine simple and avoid too many active ingredients. Look for alcohol-free, fragrance-free, soothing products that contain aloe vera, oat extract, or panthenol. Avoid harsh exfoliants and strong acids unless your skin already tolerates them well. Always patch test new products, especially this time of year.
Acne-prone skin needs a balance between treatment and hydration, so don’t dry breakouts as it can worsen irritation and prolong healing. Use a gentle cleanser, and keep applying any of your current acne treatments (like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide) but buffer them with a rich moisturiser to reduce dryness.
Photography by Alireza Mirzabegi
USEFUL TIPS
In winter, be careful with hot showers and baths as they can worsen dryness. Opt for lukewarm water as it is much kinder to your skin, and apply moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp to help lock in hydration.
Lips and hands tend to suffer the most in winter, so give them extra attention. A good lip balm with occlusive ingredients (like petrolatum or beeswax) and a thick hand cream used regularly can prevent cracking and irritation. Regularly apply hand cream throughout the day, especially after washing your hands.
Photography by Onela Ymeri
If your skin gets really dry or sensitive, consider using a humidifier indoors to add moisture back into the air – it can noticeably improve how your skin feels over time.
Sun protection is still important in winter. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and even though it’s cold or cloudy, the sun’s UV rays are still out. Always incorporate a broad-spectrum SPF in your daily routine. When used as directed, SPF 30 sunscreen filters 96.7% of UV radiation and SPF 50 filters 98%, so the higher SPF, the better.
Exfoliation is still important during the colder months, but over-exfoliating in winter can damage your skin barrier and cause irritation, so scale it back a little.
Photography by Shayna Douglas
Enjoy this complimentary magazine, and continue to feel inspired to find
endless possibilities to enhance your own living.
To read the e-brochure, click here.
