The Best Winter Skincare Hacks

It’s that time again! The beginning of winter is the start of the cosiest season of the year and we all dance gleefully into hibernation mode: PSL in hand, looking forward to Christmas movie marathons in our pjs and the exciting prospect of a snow day or two.

Sure, it’s the most wonderful time of year, but with the cold weather comes a whole lot of hassle for our skin. We trot from arctic conditions outside to be met with artificial heat blasting out from every car, office and radiator indoors, and the drastically fluctuating temperatures wreak havoc on our skin. We soon resort to trawling the internet for a cosy knit that will cover our entire bodies, face and all, because our skin is suffering.

Fun, right?

Combat the effects of winter and banish chapped, flaky, dry or dull skin with our winter skincare hacks for your most beautiful season yet.

Up your mask routine

Everyone loves a pamper night, so this hack will be music to your frostbitten ears. The colder weather is the perfect excuse to fully embrace your love affair with sheet masks. They’re designed to force feed your skin with moisture so you should increase your usual use during the colder months. Nourish and hydrate your skin with a pack of five of our best-selling sheet masks. One for each night of the work week!

Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle

Your skin’s natural glow is diminished in winter, but this hack will keep you looking lit from within all season long. Mix your favourite highlighter or illuminator into your daily foundation or moisturiser to brighten dull skin each morning. Nobody will know what’s causing your angelic glow, but you’ll look and feel like you’ve just got back from a vaycay someplace tropical.

Buff the bad weather away

Gentle exfoliation throughout the season will stave off dry, flaky skin on your face and body. Regular exfoliating encourages circulation and keeps your skin looking and feeling healthy. Just be sure to follow up by massaging a thick moisturiser into skin while it’s still damp. This will help the hydration penetrate and keep skin soft and supple.

Carry a mist

For on-the-go hydration, add a good facial mist to your kit. When you’re stuck in the office all day with the radiators blasting, it’ll be the perfect pick-me-up for tired skin.

Add oil to your moisturiser

Your regular moisturiser probably won’t cut it in winter. Amp up the hydration by adding a few drops of your favourite oil to your moisturiser, morning and night. It will help skin retain moisture and create a stronger barrier between your face and the world.

Don a new kind of winter coat

Every night before bed this winter, apply a thick coat of moisturiser to your lips, hands and feet. Bonus points if you pop on a pair of cotton socks for a real treat for feet!

Layer Up

Winter dressing is all about layers, but did you know you should be applying the same strategy to your skincare regime? Layer moisturiser over serum to create a barrier against your skin’s outer layers and the harsh temperatures outside.

Stay hydrated

If you want to get serious about keeping that moisture locked in, invest in a humidifier for your bedroom. Don’t want to splash out? Unleash new levels of hacking ability by placing small bowls of water under your radiators to help moisture circulate in the hot air.

Cool it

As tempting as it is to linger in a long, hot shower when its cold outside, the harsh heat doesn’t do your skin any favours. In fact, water that’s too hot can strip your skin of its natural oils, which leads to dry, flaky skin.Turn the temperature down to tepid to prevent damaging your skin.

Lighten Up

If your summer glow has faded and your go-to foundation is a shade too dark in winter, bring it back to life by mixing with your favourite moisturiser before applying to create your perfect winter shade.

What are your favourite winter skincare hacks?