The Skincare Swaps We’re Making as the Temperature Drops
From upping the hydration to switching up our cleansers and even our makeup, these are the skincare and beauty swaps our beauty team is doing for our best skin yet.
With a change in weather comes a change in routine. We find ourselves spending more time indoors (hello cosy fireplaces at wine bars) and when we do venture outside, we're rugged up against the cold in warm wool coats and boots.
Skincare can be a forgotten part of this seasonal shift, with a few adjustments to our everyday routines needing to be made to ensure skin stays hydrated and healthy all winter long.
That's because the transition from hot and humid summer days to dry winter chill can wreak havoc on our skin - but we're here to help.
From switching moisturisers, cleansers and even makeup formulations, we've got your winter skincare sorted with our swaps and tips - and the product recommendations to help get you nourished, protected skin this season.
Skincare Swap: Include a Face Oil in Your Routine
While the words "face" and "oil" sound like a scary combo, these skincare superheroes work wonders in the winter months. Known for supporting the all-precious skin barrier to lock in moisture, be sure to check for non-comedogenic options if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Use it as the second-to-last step in your morning skincare routine (before sunscreen) or last thing at night to ensure you get all the moisture-locking magic.
Our pick? Go-To's Face Hero ($45) is a bestseller for a reason - formulated with 10 potent and carefully selected plant and nut oils, this lightweight facial oil deeply hydrates, soothes, revitalises and protects the face.
Also try:
Skincare Swap: Up the Richness of your Moisturiser
While summer skincare is often about choosing the most lightweight moisturiser possible, we can afford to go a little more thick and creamy with our routines when the mercury drops.
Lower humidity levels can dehydrate and dry in winter months, and cold, harsh winter wind and indoor heat (hello, hanging by the heater) can also strip precious moisture from the skin.
Choose a moisturiser made with ingredients proven to lock in moisture, like those in the Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream Moisturiser ($115) from Murad Skincare. It contains Refined Bilberry Seed il and premium Allantoin to help retain skin moisture, address dry and flake skin and lock in barrier hydration.
Also try:
Paula's Choice RESIST Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer, $49
Skincare Swap: Add a Brightening Serum to Your Product Line-Up
If your skin is feeling (or looking) a little worse for wear after the sunny seasons, add a brightening serum to your routine to help repair some damage.
L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 10% Niacinamide Serum is specifically designed to tackle hyperpigmentation. The innovative, scientifically-proven serum - that's also validated by dermatologists - harnesses the power of potent anti-dark spot ingredients (like niacinamide and amino-sulfonic acid) to illuminate the complexion, and visibly reduce the appearance of post-acne marks, age spots and sunspots.
Apply three to four drops of the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 10% Niacinamide Serum after cleansing to the face and neck, allowing the serum to set before applying moisturiser.
Skincare Swap: Ditch the Makeup Wipes in Favour of Soothing Solutions
We all know how important taking off our makeup is (yes, even on those late nights....), so why not make it a luxe, skin-loving experience?
Ditch the harsh wipes in favour of a cleansing balm that melts away makeup and adds precious moisture back in at the same time. Buttery soft and suitable for all skin types, The Secret's The Cleansing Balm ($65) is a personal fave. The balm-to-oil cleanser removes makeup, sunscreen and impurities, with a formulation of camellia oil, emollients and olive squalane that hydrate, protect and smooth.
Also try:
Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm, $69.95
Skincare Swap: Make Face Masks a Part of Your Weekly Routine
Take advantage of colder nights spent at home by adding a weekly (or even twice weekly) mask into your skincare routine. Not only an ideal self-care ritual, face masks are usually highly concentrated and can help deliver potent ingredients to the skin in one go.
The Intense Moisture Mask ($50) from endota Organics increases the skin's hydration levels by 32% with omegas 3 and 6, and vitamins C and E all working to deeply hydrate the skin.
Need an on-the-go solution? Try one of these sheet masks for a quick hit of glam anytime, anyplace.
Also try:
LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask, $48
Skincare Swap: Use Cream Makeup Formulations Instead of Powder
The winter swaps aren't just limited to skincare: switching up your makeup can also be beneficial.
While powder formulations - think foundation, bronzer and blush - can be good at limiting shine during the warmer months, they can often look cakey and flakey when our skin is drier in the cold weather.
Cream products are usually made with moisturising ingredients and elements, so they are more likely to absorb into the skin (with beauty-boosting benefits) and last longer in the harsh winter elements.
Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush ($45) is long-lasting, blends, and builds beautifully for a soft, healthy flush. Plus, it comes in both dewy and matte finishes.
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Skincare Swap: Switch Gel Cleanser for Creamy, Hydrating Versions
While gel cleansers are refreshing and lightweight when we're all trying to be a little less sweaty in summer, winter is the time to - you guessed it - up the moisture factor.
Swap to a cream formula that can gently remove dirt, makeup and oils while protecting your skin's barrier and adding in nourishment with ingredients like glycerin, ceramides and vitamin E.
Alpha-H's Balancing Cleanser ($54.95) does just that: with hero ingredients Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, this multi-tasking cleanser is designed for all skin types and supports the skin's natural pH balance.
Also try:
Tribe Skincare Gentle Balm Cleanser, $49
Now that you've aced your winter skincare game, it's time to sort out the rest of your seasonal shift. Embrace the trend of the season with our edit of stylish tracksuits (yes, really), or layer in style with the ultimate guide to denim right now.
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