Every year, around the time my umbrella becomes a permanent fixture in my back pack and I start craving soup and dhal for every meal, I know it’s time to rethink my skincare routine. The change from autumn to winter might feel romantic with cosy jumpers, candles and long baths, but your skin often doesn’t get the memo.
The cold, wet air outside and the blast of central heating and dry air inside create the perfect storm for moisture loss. One minute, your skin’s braving the icy wind. The next, it’s under an indoor radiator that could toast bread. It’s like being a porcelain plate: fine in one temperature, but expose it to extremes and you will start to see cracks.
Why Our Skin Feels Dry in Winter
Let’s talk science, briefly but beautifully. Our skin’s sebaceous glands, those tiny oil-producing factories that keep us soft and supple, slow right down in the cold. Less daylight also means less vitamin D, which plays a role in skin barrier health. Add in dry indoor air from central heating and your natural oils don’t stand a chance. The result is tightness, flakiness and that uncomfortable feeling like your face is one size too small.
It’s not just about hydration either. When the air is cold and humidity drops, the water in our skin literally evaporates faster. That’s why even your best moisturiser can feel like it’s stopped working.
What You Can Do (Without Moving to the Tropics)
Start by thinking of your skin like a house in winter. It needs insulation, not stripping back.
1. Keep skincare simple.
This isn’t the time for ten-step routines or harsh acids. Replace water, cream and foam based cleansers with rich, replenishing oils. Also, step aside from double cleansing (oil then cream cleansing method) as this time of the year it will only dry your skin out.
2. Feed your skin (literally).
What you eat really does show. Omega-3 rich foods like walnuts, pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds help reinforce your skin’s barrier from within. Think of them as an internal moisturiser, and while comfort food season is calling, don’t forget your colourful vegetables either. Kale and cavolo nero are full of vitamin C and this is still your best friend for collagen and glow.
3. Drink water, even if it’s not hot chocolate.
It’s easy to forget hydration when it’s cold, but central heating dehydrates you from the inside too. Herbal teas count, as does water with a slice of lemon for those of us pretending it’s a spa.
4. Add more oils.
Winter is the season when skin oils truly shine. My go-to is the Olive & Joyce Broccoli Seed Oil, which acts like a puffer jacket for your skin. Rich in fatty acids but fast absorbing, it helps seal in moisture without leaving you shiny. Broccoli seed oil is found in our The Balance skincare range and it’s one of those quiet heroes that keeps everything feeling soft and calm.
If my skin(face and body) is absolutely screaming for help, especially after a day on the market, I reach for the kitchen cupboard and grab my avocado oil, it’s packed with antioxidants and high gorgeous nourishing oils that make my skin feel alive again.
5. Lock in moisture.
Once I have oil cleansed (The Eternal oil cleanser) and then added the extra avocado oil (if needed), I seal it in with a good cream (The Eternal face cream). At this time of year, my half pea size might grow to one pea size amount, and thats ok, its no sign the cream isn’t working, its a sign my skin just needs a little extra whilst the temperatures are changing. If your skin feels tight by lunchtime, you need more barrier support, this might be a little oil from the kitchen or a little extra moisturiser, not another serum.
My Winter Routine, Simplified
Morning:
• Splash face with lukewarm water.
• If you are outdoors all day, to a damp face massage in a little avocado oil to help protect and prevent the face from getting dry and tight, which could mean spots.
• A lovely layer of moisturiser.
• SPF, yes, even if the sky is grey.
Evening:
• Remove daily dirt, pollution and makeup with an oil cleanser.
• Gently exfoliate only once or twice a week to remove any dead, dry skin. My go too exfoliator is The Clean Slate by Olive & Joyce (yours truly). This will help the cream and avocado oil do their job properly.
• Massage in a little extra avocado oil if needed to restore glow.
• A generous layer of night cream, letting it sink in while you sleep.
And that’s it. No complicated steps, no over-exfoliating, no stripping. Just consistent nourishment and a bit of patience while your skin recalibrates to winter life.
Central Heating vs. Skin: The Not-So-Love Story
If there is one thing I have learned, it’s that radiators and skin are not a match made in heaven. The hot, dry air steals moisture faster than you can say “cracked cuticles.” A simple trick is to keep a bowl of water near your radiator to add a little humidity back into the room. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
Also, resist the urge to hover too close to the heat source. Sudden changes in temperature cause tiny capillaries in your face to dilate, which can lead to redness or irritation, especially if you’re prone to rosacea.
The Bottom Line
Winter skin isn’t broken, it’s just confused. With a few tweaks, richer textures, a bit more oil and a gentler hand, it can thrive even in the chilliest weather. Treat it like you would your favourite jumper: keep it clean, keep it soft and don’t let it dry out near the radiator.