If you also find your skin starts playing up as the temperature drops, know there’s very good reason for it. “Rapid fluctuations in temperature can take a toll on our skin. As it gets colder, and the humidity levels drop—loss of hydration kicks in,” says Sonia Khorana, a GP with special interest in dermatology. “This can affect the skin barrier and lead to dryness, itching, irritation and lowered skin defences against environmental stressors. To help with these issues, I would advise incorporating thicker moisturisers. Look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid.”
Yep, moisturiser is the secret to healthy skin come winter. And this is something I don’t love to admit. You see, as someone with particularly oily skin, for most of the year, I steer clear of moisturiser almost entirely, instead choosing to get my hydration from lightweight serums and hydrating SPF creams. In fact, the general obsession with moisturiser has been known to irritate me as a beauty editor. Everyone is always asking me about what moisturiser might be best for the them, and my answer is always the same: Stop focussing on moisturiser and instead focus on hydration. You can get hydration from your cleanser, serum, essence, toner and even SPF. However, come winter, I fervently believe that we all need some sort of moisturiser to restore as much hydration as we possibly can. The secret to making it work for you is in knowing which formula to go for. “You can tailor the texture and thickness to suit your skin type as the seasons change,” adds Khorana. So without further ado, keep scrolling for the best moisturisers for winter, whatever your skin type.