As the saying goes: the things we love often hurt us the most. Those precious winter mornings spent under a piping hot shower? Stripping the moisture from your skin. Cosy movie nights sitting a little too close to the heater? Intensely dehydrating. Throw in the lack of humidity that comes with winter and it can feel as though our skin has no choice but to remain dry, dehydrated and irritated until spring rolls around.
Well, there’s only one thing that can save us. And no, it’s not introducing cold showers. Our winter skin saviour is the one and only, Melanie Grant. The celebrity facialist (who looks after the famous faces of Zoë Foster Blake and Rosie Huntington Whiteley) has offered her tips for tweaking your regimen to keep your skin healthy this winter.
Let’s get into it, shall we?
Melanie Grant’s winter skin survival tips
Focus on hydration…
It might sound obvious but here’s a friendly reminder to reach for products that are bursting with hydrating heavy-hitters such as hyaluronic acid, squalene and glycerin.
“Moving into the cooler months, I like to tweak my skin care routine so that it’s aligned with the seasonal shifts by adding in nourishing, hydrating ingredients to keep [my] skin dewy and glowing even when the temperature drops,” Melanie told Courier Mail.
“Keeping a hydrating mist on your desk and topping up as needed is another great way to offset the drying effects of air conditioning and keep your skin quenched and plump throughout the day,” she explained.
One of our faves? The Ultraceuticals Ultra Hydrating Skin Mist ($69, Ultraceuticals).
Introduce an oil…
Melanie isn’t suggesting you scrap your moisturiser altogether, but complementing it with a nourishing face oil will work to prevent further moisture loss and lock in hydration.
She noted, “incorporating a face oil, rich in essential fatty acids, is a great way to support barrier function and keep your summer face cream working throughout winter by boosting its nutrient density and moisturising properties.”
bh loves: Ipsum’s Best Skin Nourishing Face Oil ($45, Ipsum)
Address your summertime qualms…
Does time in the sun tend to flare up pigmentation or age spots? If the answer is yes, Melanie suggests using winter as an opportunity to rejuvenate and repair your skin.
“Winter is also a great time to schedule courses of corrective treatments like Picoway, SRA (Skin Rejuvenation Advance) to address pigment from the summer, and re-texturising treatments like Sublative and Collagen Induction, where you can afford the social downtime indoors,” she said.
Regular use of an LED mask like the Omnilux Face Contour ($590, Beauty Science) will also work in fading discolouration, reducing inflammation and stimulating collagen production. Plus, you don’t even have to leave your house.
Oh and whatever you do, don’t forget to wear an SPF! We are loving the Banana Boat Everyday Sensitive SPF 50+($15.49, Amazon) for year-round protection.
Main image credit: @melaniegrantskin
What do you think of Melanie’s winter skin tips? Will you be trying any of these?
Agree about the oil! I’m using the Hunter Lab one at the moment and it is keeping the flakes at bay. Lovely consistency too and sinks into the skin instantly.
I haven’t used oil before, but am at the moment. I really like it.
Melanie Grant is such a powerhouse! I’d love to have one of her facials!
yes indeed !!
My skin isn’t too bad in the winter, I just get really dry lips
I’m not a huge fan of oils.
I love face oils for keeping my ski softer.
Good tips, using facial oil in the winter time makes such a difference.
I wouldn’t really call them tips. Most of us would do these things in winter already. Except for the laser.
Agree with the hydration mist I use one daily all year round!
I use a lot in summer but now I will start using winter too as it does make sense
Great tips. I love switching up my routine with the change of season.
I already do alot of these things.
I first came across Melanie Grant through an article on BH in regards to her skincare suggestions for Victoria Beckham.
Fresh fruit and veg for hydration and glow from within, rich lush serum and moisturizer from out.
Just started with omnilux, will see what it does in the long term
Love to hear what you think of it after a few weeks -really interested
I like to use an oil but I can’t use it too often or my skin will breakout.
I like to use it occasionally as well
The only way I will ever get an Omnilux is if I win it on here.
Ha Ha I know what you mean
I have warm showers & hate heaters – love winter & so does my skin. If it gets really cold, I shut the balcony door, but most winters I don’t get that cold.
I love using a face oil, atm I’m in love with rosehip oil! super nourishing.
I really like these winter tips and love the idea of a moisturizing spray
I like using oils on my body but my face gets a bit congested if I use it every day – even with regular exfoliation
I lova a facial oil.
Loving my face oils.
I have no idea who she is but lots of great ideas 🙂
I use oil and hydrating serum all year round.
Love my LED Omnilux
what have you found that it has done for you ?
As someone who has traditionally had fairly oily skin, I’ve just introduced a creamier moisturiser for winter with a bit more oil in it, and it’s a godsend! Granted my skin is very dehydrated too these days so it’s really helpful in winter 🙂
Some really great tips here. I have been enjoying using jojoba oil on my face this winter and I also am a big believer in hydrating from the inside out and drink plenty of water all year round.
I like a facial oil!
Just bought her skincare book today.
Oil is a must for me in most climates.
I love mixing an oil into my night moisturiser
I like using rosehip oil sometimes, but need to find a really light oil too, I heard argan oil works well
I love using rosehip oil in my routine
Yes my skin definitely needs more hydration in the winter.
Agree on adding in an oil, I use one more frequently in winter as I find the cold wind really dries my skin out in a bad way.
I’ve been enjoying using the oily skin cleanser the last couple of days followed by a gel cleanser for a double cleanse – I think my skin has benefitted from the very oily cleanser.
I’ve started using a jojoba oil and I love the way it feels on my skin
Thanks for the article. Good to read.
Love these