If taking great care of your skin is on your priority list this year, this article is for you.
Creating a routine that targets specific concerns and improves your overall skin health can seem daunting when you don’t know where to start. So to keep things simple and, most importantly, achievable – these basic and advanced-level tips will help you protect your skin barrier throughout winter, as well as optimise your skincare routine to reach your goals faster.
The basics: daily essentials for the cold weather
Maintaining healthy skin isn’t always straightforward during winter, so it’s important to adapt your routine to seasonal and weather changes. .(1)
If you are struggling with tightness, focus on adding more hydrating, moisture-locking ingredients into your morning and evening routines. If you use gel cleansers in the summer, switch to a richer cream or oil version that contains nourishing ingredients like squalane, grapeseed and rice bran oils. These occlusive emollients won’t just dissolve makeup, dirt and impurities, they’ll support your skin’s ability to retain moisture.(2)
Other key ingredients to look for are hyaluronic acid in your serum to replenish hydration, and ceramides and peptides in your moisturiser to help repair and support your skin barrier while protecting it from external aggressors like dirt and pollution.(3)
Expert level: Optimising your routine toward results
Now your routine basics are covered, it’s time to defend and fortify your skin, and specifically target your concerns. These gold-standard, dermatologist-backed skincare solutions will optimise your morning and evening routine, so you achieve your goals faster.
For advanced anti-ageing benefits, elevate your morning routine with the innovative Vitamin C 15%: Fresh Batch Ascorbic Acid. The pioneering triple-antioxidant formula delivers unparalleled brightness to dull, tired-looking winter skin. It also protects against free radicals, as well as reduces signs of ageing such as fine lines, loss of firmness and uneven skin tone in as little as 6 weeks.(4)
Broad spectrum sun protection is essential, even in winter. UVA and UVB rays are harmful at any time of year, so apply SPF50 Photodamage Defence Sunscreen (or one with at least SPF30+) every morning to prevent skin damage and premature ageing.
Evening
To target specific skin concerns, and improve its overall health, get a personalised skincare formula with powerful active ingredients that are precisely measured by dermatology experts to suit your specific skin type.
Retinisation – the process of your skin adapting to a retinoid (like the ones in your personalised formula) – can cause some dryness, soreness and flaky skin. Especially in colder weather. To accelerate recovery, apply a restoring balm as your final skincare step to soothe irritation and shield the skin from dirt and microbes.
Science-backed advice to achieve your skin goals
The surest way to achieve your skin goals is by getting expert advice. Consult with a dermatologist or licensed dermatology provider like Dermatica. They can help you understand your skin type, its unique needs and the ingredients that will target the areas you want to focus on. Dermatica can help you target specific areas, including:
– Acne
– Acne scars and pigmentation
– Ageing
– Hyperpigmentation
– Melasma
– Skin glow
– Rosacea
After a free, short online consultation, our clinical experts can create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your skin goals. They’ll be on hand 24/7 to answer any questions you have, and recommend products that will work best for your skin. Every product in Dermatica’s range is designed to use alongside active ingredients too, so you can achieve results even faster.
If you’re researching online yourself, rely on credible sources like reputable skincare blogs, scientific journals, and dermatologist-approved websites. Our blog contains expert and research-backed articles from dermatologists, as well as clinically reviewed ingredient deep-dives and skin condition guides to help you make informed decisions about your skin.
We’re here to support you whenever you need us, at every stage of your skin journey. If you’re ready to get serious about your skin health, start a free consultation now to receive a personalised treatment plan and personalised formula specifically for your skin.
References
1. Engebretsen KA, Johansen JD, Kezic S, Linneberg A, Thyssen JP. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2015 Oct 8;30(2):223–49.
2. Mawazi SM, Ann J, Othman N, Khan J, Alolayan SO, Al thagfan SS, et al. A Review of Moisturizers; History, Preparation, Characterization and Applications. Cosmetics. 2022 Jun 9;9(3):61.
3. Kono T. et al. Clinical significance of the water retention and barrier function-improving capabilities of ceramide-containing formulations: A qualitative review. J Dermatol. 2021 Dec; 48(12): 1807-16.
4. Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology [Internet]. 2017;10(7):14–7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605218/
Ash Sharma
Dr Ashwin Sharma is a medical doctor and writer with a particular interest in health technology, artificial intelligence and medical weight loss. He completed his training at the University of Leicester and Imperial College London, and has since been exploring the intersections of medicine, technology, and communication.