It's good to protect your skin all year round, but in winter your face will need some extra TLC.
Dry winter air and central heating wreak havoc on your skin, soaking up moisture and natural oils, often leaving your complexion dry and dehydrated. Cold air tightens the skin's pores and reduces blood circulation, which reduces the naturally occurring oil known as sebum that acts as a protective layer and traps moisture next to the skin.
The best winter skincare products will protect your skin from external aggressors like strong wind and low humidity, replenish hydration and keep your complexion dazzling not dull.
We've rounded up the best products to protect your skin this winter, from rich moisturisers and anti-redness tints, to pout-perfecting lip balms and hydration-heavy masks, all making sure you're good to glow. Say goodbye to the dry...
Best winter skincare products
1. Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Water Cream
Philosophy's latest innovation features an exclusive complex containing enhanced hyaluronic acid, pineapple extract and Norwegian glacial water, to deliver a burst of hydration to dehydrated and dry skin.
The cooling water cream provides continuous hydration for 72 hours and instantly increases hydration levels by 86%. It has an airy, non-sticky water texture that delivers a super hydrated, healthy glow to the skin; it’s also oil free and contains anti-aging peptides.
The water cream features hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to one thousand times its own weight in water molecules, making it an ideal component in winter skincare routines, given skin is often left dried out and dehydrated by both harsh weather and central heating.
Price: £35.50, Debenhams - buy here now
2. Dermalogica intensive moisture cleanser
When your complexion becomes dry, dead skin cells can build up. Target winter-worn rough patches with a nourishing cleanser that will then allow your moisturiser to sink in properly.
A creamy but light formula, it removes impurities while actively nourishing dry, depleted skin, helping to minimise damage of vital proteins and lipids that defend against dryness.
Invigorating extracts of citrus, palmarosa and jasmine also refresh tired skin for a healthier-looking, more radiant finish.
Price: £20.30, Amazon - buy here now
3. Clinique iD Dramatically Different Moisturizing BB-Gel
Send that winter pallor packing with this moisturising BB gel that delivers encapsulated colour-blooming pigments for a healthy, naturally-perfected, balanced finish for most skin tones.
A sheer wash of light-diffusing colour enhances and unifies your skin tone, while the formula provides immediate, refreshing hydration with a combination of moisture mavens, hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Price: £18.50, House of Fraser - buy here now
4. This Works Sleep Power Recharge Mask
Winter is the perfect time to indulge in a pampering mask to recharge and re-energise skin that feels lacklustre and needs a boost.
Skin-smoothing multi-fruit acids and prickly pear extract boost cell turnover, while amino acids brighten and kaolin clay detoxifies.
Winter won't know what's hit it.
Price: £32, This Works - buy here now
5. Lumene Arctic Hydra Care Moisture & Relief Rich Oleo-Serum
Reinvigorate and revitalise dehydrated skin with plumping and moisture-rich serum that's specifically designed to combat the effects of winter on skin.
The serum provides thermal stress-protection against dehydration caused by temperature changes to reduce the appearance of dryness-induced redness.
It also contains soothing Nordic bilberry, oat and canola oils combined with a moisture-locking Beta complex to restore skin's moisture levels for a lasting and intense re-hydration and relief from the seasonal feeling of tightness. Take that, cold temps.
Price: £32.90, John Lewis - buy here now
6. Crabtree & Evelyn Mixed Berry Oil Booster
An antioxidant-rich concentrated super fruits booster that can be added to moisturiser for an extra vitamin kick and layer of protection for skin.
Thanks to kakadu plum, camu camu, açai, and goji extracts, your face is treated to a complexion-boosting cocktail of nourishing goodies so you can have a good skin day, every day.
Price: £32.00, Crabtree & Evelyn - buy here now
7. Avène Hydrance Optimale UV Rich Hydrating Cream
This winter warrior is just what you need in the fight against flaky, patchy skin.
Its rich, velvety texture leaves the skin soft, supple and luminous all day long, while SPF 30 also protects against UV, free radicals and pollution.
Price: £9.25, Amazon - buy here now
8. Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil
When winter comes calling on your complexion, it's time call in the troops - your usual moisturiser needs back up.
Rosehip oil's potent natural actives make it highly effective for scars and stretch marks and other skin concerns, including winter-hit, dehydrated complexions.
The finest quality rosehip oil, with minimum 80% essential fatty acid (omega 3 and 6) and fatty acid (omega 9) content, packs a moisturising punch and helps support your skin's diminished natural protective layer. Apply to clean skin morning and night, or add a couple of drops to your daily moisturising cream.
Price: £34.50, Amazon - buy here now
9. Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask To Quench Skin's Thirst
While you sleep, your skin is working overtime to regenerate and revive, so it's a great time to apply an ultra-nourishing mask.
This Origins options is an intensive formula infused with avocado and apricot kernel oil to lock-in moisture. Blended with Japanese seaweed to repair skin's barrier, it prevents future over-dryness and signs of premature ageing.
Say hello to a fresh-faced new you.
Price: £27.50, Amazon - buy here now
10. EOS Organic Sweet Mint Lip Balm
The skin on your lips is ultra-thin and sensitive, and it can suffer greatly during winter, resulting in a dry, cracked pout.
All-natural, hydrating, and deeply moisturising, this lip balm will keep flaking winter lips at bay.
Designed to soothe chapped lips, its ultra-nourishing ingredients include super-soft sustainably sourced shea butter to help win the war on winter.
