Cold weather, indoor heating, and dry air can all leave skin feeling tight, flaky and dehydrated. In this guide to winter skincare rituals, discover how to deeply hydrate and nourish your skin with rich, replenishing formulas that restore softness, comfort and glow.
Winter has this way of creeping up on your skin. One minute everything feels fine, and the next you're waking up with tight cheeks, flakiness around the nose, and that dull, tired look that no amount of makeup can quite cover.
As the air outside gets drier and the heaters crank up indoors, your skin barrier starts to take a hit. The humidity drops, your skin produces less natural oils, and suddenly, that light summer moisturiser just isn’t cutting it anymore. If your skin has been feeling uncomfortable, a little more reactive, or just not as glowy as usual, it’s probably craving some extra care.
This time of year, I like to think of skincare as less of a routine and more of a ritual. Something to look forward to. Something that brings you back to yourself at the end of the day. Here’s how I reset my own winter skin, and a few product favourites that really make a difference.
So why does skin get so dry in winter?
It mostly comes down to environmental stress. Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, which means your skin is constantly losing hydration into the atmosphere. Add hot showers, harsh winds and heating into the mix, and suddenly that lovely skin barrier of yours is feeling stripped and sensitive. In winter, your skin also naturally produces less sebum (the oil that helps keep everything balanced), so it needs more help from the outside to stay healthy.
Some signs your skin is calling out for more? Dry patches, redness, tightness, uneven texture, or that feeling like your skin just won’t absorb your moisturiser no matter how much you use.
Winter is the season to slow down
Winter offers this natural pause. The mornings are slower. The evenings feel longer. There’s something really grounding about taking 10 minutes to tune in and do something gentle for yourself. I always find this time of year is perfect for building in little rituals - maybe a weekly mask, a rich cream after your shower, or layering your skincare properly before bed. These are the moments that add up.
A few winter must-haves we swear by
Rich Body Cream
If you’re dealing with dry skin during winter, this is your go-to. It's thick without being greasy and packed with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera. Perfect for restoring softness and calming irritated skin. We love applying it straight out of the shower while the skin is still slightly damp - it helps lock in moisture and gives that silky, comfortable feel all day long. Plus, it smells like coconuts - bonus for bringing summer into your winter routine.
Argan Body Oil
This oil is such a dream. Can use it on its own or layered over the Rich Body Cream when the skin needs a little extra love. It’s full of essential fatty acids and antioxidants, which help protect your skin from environmental stress and prevent moisture loss. If you’re someone who struggles with dry shins, arms, or even cuticles in winter - this is the one.
Rose Hydrating Mist
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean we skip the hydration. This mist is light, refreshing and gives your skin that quick pick-me-up it needs during the day. Keep it on your desk and spritz between meetings or whenever your skin starts to feel a bit flat. Also beautiful to mist before your serum or oil - it helps everything absorb a little better.
Renew Serum
This is our version of a face oil, but lightweight enough to use morning or night. It contains bakuchiol (a natural alternative to retinol), kakadu plum, and argan oil to support the skin barrier and boost hydration. We love pressing this into the skin after misting and after moisturiser. It helps smooth out texture and gives that fresh, nourished glow. We’re not sleeping unless our skin’s marinating in Renew. Non-negotiable.
How to layer your skincare in winter
When skin is feeling dry, the order you apply your products can make a difference. A simple guide:
- Cleanse with something gentle – nothing too stripping like our Cleansing Gel or Balm
- Mist for a boost of hydration like our Rose Hydrating Mist
- Serum or oil – the Renew Serum is beautiful here
- Moisturiser – the Rich Body Cream for body & your favourite facial moisturiser such as Intense or Balance
- Oil – lock it all in with Argan Body Oil
It’s all about building in hydration at every step and sealing it in with something rich and nourishing. Trust how your skin feels and adjust as you go - some nights you’ll want the full ritual, and others you might just do the basics.
If your skin’s been calling out for comfort lately, it might be time to switch things up. Think of this winter as an opportunity to treat your skin (and yourself) a little more gently. A few small changes to your routine can go a long way - and the ritual of it all? Even better.
Explore our Winter Skin Collection. Nourish, protect and glow - even on the coldest days.