Winter Is Officially Here, So It’s Time To Switch Up Your Nightly Skin Routine

Winter is finally upon us, bringing with it an onslaught of dryness, dehydration, and dullness. And to help defeat these common skin ailments and keep your complexion glowing, it’s important to sort out a stellar winter skin care routine.

The key to a successful nightly skin care routine in winter is hydration, so we’ve pulled together a guide complete with our favourite products to help you establish a ritual that works for you. Scroll down for your fail-proof formula for bouncy, dewy skin all winter long.

Opt for a gentle cleanser

As anyone with dry skin would know, winter comes hand in hand with dehydration, so it’s important to find a cleanser that hydrates rather than strips your skin. There’s nothing worse than that dry, squeaky skin sensation.

Choose an oil-based cleansing balm or micellar water for your first cleanse to remove makeup and any build-up from the day. For your second cleanse, a cream cleanser will work wonders to get rid of any extra impurities and leave your skin feeling soft and nourished. Oh, and you may want to avoid washing your face in the shower — the scalding hot water may feel good at the time but will leave your skin feeling stripped and dehydrated.

bh recommends:

Avène XeraCalm Nutrition Cleansing Gel ($24.99 at Chemist Warehouse)

Bioré Hydrate & Glow Gentle Cleanser ($11.99 at Healthy Life)

Layer up your serums

Cold weather typically brings with it dull, tired-looking skin. So if your complexion is in need of some serious TLC, a concoction of targeted serums will be your saving grace.

Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, ascorbic acid and botanicals to hydrate, plump and supercharge your complexion. And of course, don’t forget the heavy-hitting power of retinol to leave your skin looking gloriously radiant. 

bh recommends:

Synergie Skin HyalaVive ($139 at Synergie Skin)

SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier ($169 at Adore Beauty)

No7 Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate ($69.99 at Priceline) 

Don’t skip the exfoliation

Don’t push all your exfoliants to the back of the beauty cabinet just yet. You’re going to need a solution to whisk away dry skin, and an exfoliating serum, toner or mask will do just that while still providing nourishment.

Opt for a serum or oil-based exfoliant and for those with dry skin, stick to once or twice-weekly use to avoid over-exfoliating.

bh recommends:

DermaVeen Face Gentle Exfoliating Scrub ($15.99 at Chemist Warehouse)

Skinstitut Expert Refine AHA Glycolic Toner ($59 at Adore Beauty)

Night cream is a must

Winter really puts your skin through the wringer, so you’ll need a rich night cream to help lock in moisture and repair your skin while you sleep.

A ceramide-powered cream is a great way to boost your skin’s barrier and lock in hydration. And just like in your go-to serums, humectants such as glycerin, glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid are the key to waking up with a plump, glowing complexion.

bh recommends:

E45 Face Moisturiser ($14.99 at Chemist Warehouse)

DU’IT VE+ Vitamin E Face Cream ($14.49 at Chemist Warehouse)

Finish with a hydrating oil

Facial oils are perhaps one of the simplest and most effective ways to defeat dry skin. Think of oils as your moisturiser’s trusty sidekick that will save the day (or night) and add an extra shot of hydration.

If you’re prone to breakouts, look for an oil with non-comedogenic ingredients such as sea buckthorn, squalane and camellia oils that will replenish your natural glow without clogging pores.

bh recommends:

The Jojoba Company Australian Jojoba ($33.95 at The Jojoba Company)

Add a weekly mask (or two)

Level-up your skin’s hydration with a nourishing face mask. Not only will your skin be left feeling silky soft and replenished, but setting aside some ‘you time’ to simply sit and mask is also a great weekly wellness ritual.

Whether you opt for a sheet mask, gel mask or overnight sleep mask (perfect for the time-poor), your skin will thank you. And don’t forget to add a conditioning lip mask for the perfect pout!

bh recommends:

Trilogy Hydrating Jelly Mask ($22.36 at Amazon Australia)

Skin Physics Advance SUPERLIFT® 3D™ Deep Hydration Lifting Mask ($29.99 at Priceline)

SkinB5™ Purifying Mask ($29.95 at Priceline)

Never be without lip balm

Dry, chapped lips are a common occurrence in winter but you’ll be less likely to suffer a sore pout if you keep a trusty lip balm at your bedside. The best lip balms for winter are ones that not only hydrate but contain soothing ingredients to ease any pain when it does strike and an occlusive, protective formula to keep lips shielded while you sleep.

bh recommends:

Carmex Lip Balm ($6.19 at Priceline)

MOR Lip Macaron ($6.48 at MOR Boutique)

Keep your winter heroes handy

You know how some products just stand out and stand the test of time? Yep, the ones you revisit every single winter (or anytime you just need that extra hit of hydration). Well, we’ve got a brand that lives rent free in our minds as the hydrator of all things dry and in major need of a little TLC. Introducing: Dermal Therapy. We know you guys are already all over them, but our top-tier winter wonders are none other than the Very Dry Face Cleanser and Very Dry Face Cleanser; if you prefer a streamlined routine, these two will get the winter skin care job done.

bh recommends:

Dermal Therapy Very Dry Face Cleanser ($18.99 at Chemist Warehouse)

Dermal Therapy Very Dry Face Cream ($15.99 at Chemist Warehouse)

Remember winter skin doesn’t just stop at your face

Yep, it’s easy to forget the rest of our skin hiding under all those layers. And we would totally forgive you for not wanting to layer on the body moisturisers when all you want to do it rug straight up after the shower. But your skin will thank you for it big time! And if you want a full winter body care run down we’ve got that routine organised too. For now though a simple shave and slather will suffice.

bh recommends:

Arbonne Shea Butter Body Lotion ($67 at Arbonne)

Schick Intuition Sensitive Care® Razor Kit ($15 at Chemist Warehouse)

Main image credit: @demimoore

Do you change your skin care routine in winter? What winter skin care products do you have in your toolkit? Do you have any winter heroes?