The best cold weather beauty switch-ups
Heather Gwyther
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 7 minutes
Adapting your beauty routine for winter doesn’t have to be super expensive. Here are 7 ways to keep skin dewy, glowing & well hydrated in the chillier months
Different seasons always come with their own set of unique requirements for your skin and hair. By autumn, we’re already looking for ways to brighten our dull skin and we know full well that the effects of cold weather don’t stop there! In fact, the effects of cold weather on our skin and hair can sometimes feel so harsh that only one thing will fix them: a complete switch-up.
While a certain type of beauty product can work wonders when the weather is mild, it might not do the same job in winter, but switching it for a cold weather alternative may do the trick. Need help getting started? We’ve gathered some of the best cold weather beauty top picks.
Switch from a light lip balm to a nourishing lip treatment
One of the most annoying things about winter weather is chapped lips, but you can sort these out by switching to one of the shielding and soothing lip products below.
Try: No7 Protect & Perfect Lip Care
• Size: 10ml
If you want a lip treatment that’s as serious as your overnight serum, look no further. This rich, conditioning balm provides lips with a boost of moisture that lasts for 24 hours and the chance to improve over time.
Switch from a standard hand lotion to a rich hand cream
Our poor hands! COVID-19 certainly hasn’t been the best thing for their softness, and cold weather doesn’t help either. There is a solution, though: applying a rich hand cream as opposed to a lotion. There are loads to choose from and they’re surprisingly fast-absorbing too. Here are some of our faves.
Try: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Cica-Repair Hand Mask
• Contains one pair
Sometimes hands can feel so dry that you want to wrap them up in cotton wool and never bring them into contact with the elements again. Try using these conditioning gloves instead – they’re filled with nourishing ingredients and let's face it, quite a lot of fun to use too.
Switch from powder make-up to hydrating textures
If you’ve got dry or dehydrated skin as a result of the cold weather and turning up the central heating, it could be a good idea to avoid using mattifying powders or make-up as they can end up looking patchy. Instead, stick to juicy textures and hydrating formulas – many not only have skincare benefits, but also give skin that delicious dewy sheen that’s usually only seen in the summer months.
Switch from light facial moisturisers to more luxurious textured face creams
Moisturising is always important, but it becomes even more important when cold weather is giving our skin barrier a hard time and making our skin a lot dryer in the process. And a light moisturiser won’t cut it either, so it’s time for something that’ll work harder to support skin’s defences against the winter elements!
Switch from light body moisturisers to cocooning body creams
Dry skin doesn’t just happen to our faces in winter, it happens to our bodies too! But rich, nourishing body creams are just the ticket to put a stop to it. Here are some of our favourite invisible layers to pop on before your thermals.
Switch from hair products for oily hair to products that are great for dry ends
Your hair also needs a bit of extra moisture in winter and hair products to get rid of build-up aren’t the best things to fix that. Instead, go for products that nourish lengths (especially the ends) to keep them in good condition all year round.
Switch from masks for oily skin to hydrating masks for dry skin
Winter means more nights in, which, in turn, means more time for face masks. Look for formulas that include a mixture of ingredients that attract and lock in moisture for benefits in both the short and long-term.
