Skincare Switch-Ups
Winter is pulling up on us fast and the weather is changing. We’re colder, starting to layer up and we’re cranking up the heating. Your skin will feel and show the effects of this so the cusp of a new season is always a good time to review your skincare.
For most people, colder weather tends to call for more hydration and richer textured moisturisers on the skincare front. On the treatments side of things, there’s no better time than autumn/winter to get your skin into sharp shape with chemical peels and skin booster injectables.
We spoke to four of our favourite beauty influencers and skincare personalities to share how their winter skincare is shaping up. Like most of us, it will be a battle against dry skin but these ladies have all the winning tips and tricks. We guarantee you’ll be inspired.
Read on to shop their beauty cabinets and discover helpful tips and hacks to boost your winter skin routine.
Okikiola Emaleku | Aesthetician | @theskinpriest
Skin type and main concerns:
My skin is mainly dry, but I do experience dehydration and hyperpigmentation as well.
How does the cold weather affect your skin?
My skin will lose moisture fast and becomes dry and dull looking. I just can’t seem to keep it moisturised enough.
Winter Skincare Plan: I’m going to double down on hydration this year. I’ll be doing more micro-needling treatments to improve early signs of ageing like fine lines and hydro-dermabrasion facials as well because these are really great for smoothing and polishing my skin. They also give me a good glow!
Must have winter skincare products
Definitely SkinFix Barrier Restoring Gel Creme, I love the texture and consistency. I’m a big fan of peptides in my skincare for their plumping and moisturising effects. It also has niacinamide which helps to keep my skin tone even. Additionally, this is one of the few moisturisers that keeps my skin moisturised through the night. It’s very long-lasting.
Rhode Glazing Milk also has a place in my skincare cabinet, I’ve enjoyed using this in the summer and it’s going into winter with me. It’s a great all rounder for extra hydration because it’s full of ceramides which help the skin to hold on to moisture and Beta-Glucan which is a humectant, so it attracts more moisture to my skin. It’s lightweight and non-greasy too!
Do you have any (or will you be investing in) tools and equipment for your skin this winter?
Oh yes! I am getting a new humidifier and I have decided to take my LED mask more seriously too. I use the Current Body LED Mask (£299).
Janet Adetunji | Digital Creator | @skinandbase
Skin type and main concerns:
My skin is on the combination side and my main concerns are dehydration which makes my skin look dull and uneven skin tone and dark marks from blemishes.
How does the cold weather affect your skin?
The weather can be super harsh on my skin so my skin can be quite feel quite dry.
Winter Skincare Plan: I’m keeping up with my exosomes therapy course which is a super skin boosting treatment to increase the production of collagen and elastin and at least one round of mesobotox which helps primarily with hydration and keeping my skin radiant!
Must have winter skincare products:
My ultimate goal is to support my skin to hold on to moisture so I don’t experience any issues with dryness. I also find that when my skin is well moisturised it feels softer, looks more radiant and I’m able to improve the appearance of my hyperpigmentation. I always use a creamy cleanser that doesn’t strip my skin, and I follow up with Apothaka Barrier Support Serum. My skin loves this. It has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and a ceramide complex all of which help to boost my skin health, plump my skin and lock moisture into my skin.
My go-to moisturiser is Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturising Cream (can you spot the theme?!) Everything about this moisturiser is about keeping the skin soft, vibrant and supple. Of course, ceramides, but also Vitamin F which is one of the building blocks of ceramides, antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental damage and coconut which helps to increase my skin’s moisture levels.
At night, I like to use a retinoid in my skincare routine to stimulate collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, boost exfoliation and also help to fade hyperpigmentation and dark marks. Naturium Retinol Complex Serum does the job for me, but it’s also really gentle so I don’t experience any of the irritation that is sometimes expected when you use retinoids. The skin has a natural supply of hyaluronic acid, but this reduces with age, so it’s good to boost it where I can.
Do you have any (or will you be investing in) tools and equipment for your skin this winter?
Yes! This year I’m going to invest in the Dyson Purifier Humidy+ Cool Auto React (£250). It’s pricey, but my skin really suffers from dryness when it’s cold!
Adeola Gboyega | Pro Make Up Artist | @adeolagboyega
Skin type and main concerns: I have combination skin, so typically my skin is oily across my T-zone - forehead, nose, and chin whilst my cheeks can be dry. I also have occasional breakouts during my time of the month. My main concerns are an uneven texture and combating hyperpigmentation.
Skin type and main concerns:
I have combination skin, so typically my skin is oily across my T-zone - forehead, nose, and chin whilst my cheeks can be dry. I also have occasional breakouts during my time of the month. My main concerns are an uneven texture and combating hyperpigmentation.
How does the cold weather affect your skin?
My skin is less oily in the winter and it can be more dry and dehydrated, sometimes even flaky! Sometimes I also get dry and chapped lips (which I hate!) in cold weather. I always have lip balms and lip oils in my bag, probably way more than I need! lol!
Winter Skincare Plan: I have a com-pre-hen-sive(!) skincare routine and I also incorporate treatments to keep my skin healthy and looking its best during the colder months. Facials are an essential and regular part of my skincare routine. They help maintain my hydration, improve circulation, and give my skin a plump and refreshed appearance. I love multi-step treatments that include cleansing, exfoliation, masks and massage.
I also love skin boosters and I use Profhilo which is an injectable treatment with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid. The primary benefit is hydration and the stimulation of collagen and elastin so it’s perfect for winter dry skin season. Chemical peels, I love! I like the VI peel and I get very good results from it - my skin is smoother and more radiant.
I often combine this with Red Light LED Therapy and I use my Light salon LED Face Mask (£395) at home. When I use it consistently I really notice a more youthful and glowing complexion.
What are your must have winter skincare products?
The Skin Rocks Cream Cleanser is ideal for me and I tend to use it for my first cleanse. It’s gentle and conditioning so my skin feels balanced.
I also adore the Tatcha Rice Wash Cleanser and use as my second cleanser. It’s such a great choice for winter to remove daily buildup without being overly harsh on the skin.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Multi-Recovery Complex is one of my most used products. In fact I use it all year round, but it really comes into its own during harsh and cold winter weather. It has super long lasting hydration with a 72-hour moisture infusion to fight dryness and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Shani Darden Retinol Reform is very effective in gently encouraging skin renewal. It’s an encapsulated formula so it’s able to penetrate the deeper layers of your skin.
L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream feels like rich cashmere on my skin and I love it for its anti-ageing benefits. The key ingredient is Immortelle Super Extract which supports collagen, fights fine lines and wrinkles and helps fight hyperpigmentation. My skin always feels hydrated and has my signature glow when I use this.
I never forget about my sunscreen, even in winter. Beauty Pie Featherlight UVA/UVB SPF 50 Sunscreen + Primer is my go to - high sun protection, lightweight, invisible on Black skin and comfortable for daily wear.
Do you have any (or will you be investing in) any tools and equipment for your skin this winter?
I already have a few at-home beauty treatment tools that I love to use for my skin. Winter air can be so dry and harsh on my skin, so my facial steamer helps to hydrate and moisturise my skin. I also love my LED mask for skin rejuvenation.
Body brushing is a regular part of my routine to help get rid of toxins and keep my skin nice and smooth.
Katie Onyejekwe | Content & Education Manager at Skin Rocks | Qualified Esthetician
Skin type and main concerns:
I have combination skin with hyperpigmentation, congestion and dehydration. It’s a real mix!
How does the cold weather affect your skin?
I don’t struggle with my oily t-zone as much as I do in the summer, but the colder weather plus central heating during winter causes my skin to become more dehydrated.
Winter Skincare Plan: I’ll be keeping on top of hydration by layering a hydrating essences under slightly richer moisturisers. I’m going to take advantage of the darker weather and cosy nights in by getting my first chemical peel this winter to shift some stubborn hyperpigmentation.
Must have winter skincare products:
My mission is to prevent dehydrated skin, so boosting hydration with an essence is key for me. My skin enjoys REN Perfect Canvas Essence, the formula has probiotics and antioxidants which calm inflammation but also floods the skin with hydration. The good thing about essences as well is that they boost the efficacy of my other skincare products.
My moisturiser is Skin Rocks The Moisturiser - it’s very soothing, rich in antioxidants and skin conditioning ingredients such as squalene, jojoba oil and glycerin. The whipped texture is perfect for me as I don’t want anything that’s heavy.
Dry lips are also something that I battle with in colder weather and Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is so easy to get along with. I use it both daytime for moisture and shine and overnight as a deep conditioning lip mask. It’s highly moisturising with shea and murumuru butter, but still light and creamy to use.
Do you have any (or will you be investing in) any tools and equipment for your skin this winter?
I’m going to keep it real, I don’t really use tools in my routine. I much prefer to focus on being consistent with my daily skincare routine.
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