It’s cold, it’s damp, it’s winter and it’s wreaking havoc on our skin!
Winter is the time to change up your regime to include natural skincare products that tackle dryness, redness and flakiness. Taking the time to create some easy skincare rituals that are effective, made with high quality natural and organic ingredients that smell beautiful can also have a really positive impact on our wellbeing during those dark, dull wintry days.
If you're not sure what to change in your skincare routine for winter, read on to discover our favourite winter skincare products that are all cruelty free and made with natural and organic ingredients.
Slough off flaky skin with…
A gentle exfoliator. It’s tempting to give your skin a really aggressive scrub when you’ve got those annoying flaky patches but this can increase redness and exacerbate the issue so we’d recommend choosing a more gentle exfoliator. We love the UpCircle Beauty's Face Scrub. It’s formulated with upcycled coffee grounds and softening shea butter for a gentle but softening skin buff. The brilliant thing about this exfoliator is that you can choose from 3 different blends according to your skin type; citrus for dry/dehydrated skin; floral for sensitive skin or; herbal for oily/combination skin.
Treat cracked skin with…
A balm. Whether it’s cracked lips, knuckles, chapped cheeks, or that bit of skin between your forefinger and thumb that we never know the name of, a multi purpose balm can help you through the cold early morning commute. The Deep Moisture Balm from Inlight Beauty can be used for all of these ailments and more. It’s quite a melty balm when applied so a little goes a long way and it's full of moisturising ingredients like evening primrose, carrot and rosehip, whilst anti oxidant rich macadamia oil makes it ideal for tackling the effects of pollution when you're outside. It also smells incredible and genuinely feels like you’re feeding and protecting your skin.
Avoid parched skin with…
Having a cooler bath or shower. Cranking up the hot water during winter can make getting out of bed in the mornings a whole lot easier but it can do more damage than good to our skin leaving it super parched. If you have to have a hot soak, moisturise immediately afterwards or use a multi tasking product in the bath that hydrates whilst you relax like the Silvan Skincare's Radiance Bath and Body Oil which has an uplifting fragrance and provides incredible nourishment to the skin. Either drizzle it into the bath and let the steam enhance the beautiful natural aroma of this organic oil blend or apply onto the skin after a shower.
Breathe easily with…
A natural decongestant. Silvan Skincare's Breathe balm is our first choice in winter-wellness. With a shea butter and jojoba oil base, this naturally vegan balm is really hydrating (perfect for red, sore noses) but the organic rosemary, camphor and eucalyptus also provide natural decongestant properties. Keep a pot handy on your desk at work to inhale from or pop a dollop in the bath and clear your airways naturally.
Cocoon your skin with…
A cleansing balm. Using a richer or less astringent cleanser can help minimise the feeling of tightness and can also provide support for your skin barrier to help prevent moisture loss. We love AD Skin Synergy’s Cleansing Balm for leaving our skin feeling gently cleansed, nourished and protected. It’s made with 100% organic organic ingredients including beeswax to protect the skin barrier and provide antibacterial cleansing, the organic rosehip oil contains vitamin A so not only will it provide anti ageing benefits but will help to reduce the appearance of fine lines caused by dehydrated skin. By being blended with naturally balancing organic jojoba oil, it’s suitable for all skin types.
Enrich your day cream with…
Oils. Supercharge your regular moisturiser with a facial oil to get some added nourishment. Our favourite supercharging facial oil is the super sustainable Triple Algae oil from Whitfords with algae and bakuchiol. Both of these ingredients are fantastic for your winter skincare regime because they are both super hydrating and will help to combat dullness and fine lines from parched winter skin.
Treat yourself with…
A mask. We prefer powder masks so that you can mix up the exact quantities you need, limiting waste, and can tailor them to your specific skincare needs depending on what ingredients you mix them with. The Bowe Organics Mask is particularly unique because it comes in a plantable refill box which will grow bee friendly flowers. The mask is great too, and, eventhough it's a clay based mask, it's blended with ginseng and chamomile to brighten and soothe the skin - ideal for calming rosy cheeks.
Boost skin hydration with...
A facial spritz. Drinking enough water to maintain your skin’s hydration is just as important in winter as it is in summer but if you want some flash hydration on the surface of the skin, then a refreshing facial spritz could be your new winter skincare essential. We’re huge fans of the Terre Verdi rose facial spritz which smells absolutely incredible and contains 100% organic rose flower water for gentle hydration as well as anti bacterial and anti inflammatory properties. You can either use it as a toner or keep it in your bag or on your desk for enjoying a very decadent spritz on the go.