How you can finally defeat dry skin this winter

Summer is officially over. And because Christmas feels like just yesterday, winter will be here before we know it.

There's lots we love about the colder season, but we also know that dry skin and winter (unfortunately) tend to go hand in hand. And when you're struggling with the winter sniffles and trying to avoid rain wreaking havoc on your hair, the last thing you want is your complexion crumbling before your very eyes. Your best defence? Make smart switches early. 

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Luckily, Tilly Barnett, owner and operator of No.13 The Beauty Avenue, is sharing her advice on how to defeat dry skin this winter and we've got the inside scoop on some stellar products to know about, too.

Why do we get dry skin in winter?

There’s a whole STACK of reasons why our skin dries out each winter. “When the season changes so does our skin,” Tilly says. “Between the colder, drier air outside, the heating inside, hotter showers, an increase in coffee and tea and drinking less water all effects our skin.”

What can make dry skin worse in winter?

You know those icy mornings where the only thing that’ll wake you up is a nice and scalding-hot shower? We really hate to break it to you, but those showers aren't doing your skin any favours.  Tilly says that even though the hot water is tempting in winter, it strips the moisture from your skin. So try not to make it too hot, beauties! Tilly also advises that you avoid soap. “Avoid using anything with soap as this will strip our skin of moisture,” Tilly says.

Is piling on moisturising products the answer?

Does anyone else panic at the first sight of dry skin? Do you then proceed to slather as many hydrating oils and moisturisers onto your skin as possible? Same. But as it turns out, that is not how you fix dry skin. Tilly says that if you’re using the right products, you shouldn’t have to stack them on. “It really depends on the product but you shouldn’t need loads to get the desired amount. A moisturiser is usually the size of a pea warmed up In the hands and pressed into the skin and a serum just 1-2 pumps under your moisturiser,” explains Tilly.

How should we alter our skin care routines for winter?

Product swaps

You should switch your cleanser to something more milky and creamy when winter hits. beautyheaven loves pairing the Ella Baché Creamy-Rich Cleansing Milk with the LUMISKIN™ Ava 2 in 1 Sonic Beauty Device for an effective yet gentle cleanse.

You should also swap your usual moisturiser for a richer one like the Ozstrayan Skin You Little Ripper! Peptide Cream for Mature/Ageing Skin and Cetaphil Daily Advance™ Ultra Hydrating Lotion.

When it comes to your weekly masking, look for hydrating and nourishing formulas like the Skin Republic Hyaluronic Boost Youthfoil™ Mask. Save your detoxifying clay masks for once monthly only, or as and when your skin needs a 'reset' in between. 

And if you haven't already, add a protective balm to your handbag stat. beautyheaven loves Carmex ® lip balm jar. 

Add serum

If you’re not already using a serum, winter is the time to do so. “Serums penetrate much deeper than creams so adding that extra hydration under your moisturiser really helps in the cooler months,” Tilly explains. If you're unsure of where to start with a serum, Tilly (in general) suggests using products with hyaluronic acid in winter because of its ability to hold moisture.

Try the BOOST LAB 2D Hyaluronic Acid Hydro Boost Serum or the Yves Saint Laurent Pure Shots Lines Away Serum ($120, yslbeauty.com.au). Both contain hyaluronic acid.

Keep exfoliating

“It’s really important to keep exfoliating over winter too so we don’t get a build up of dead skin cells,” says Tilly. If you don’t remove dead skin cells it’s harder for your serums and moisturisers to get through and do their thing. “I like using lactic acid (AHA) which is both exfoliating and hydrating," Tilly says. She recommends the Elizabeth Arden Pro Gentle Facial Cleanser.

Looking to add lactic acid into your skin care routine? beautyheaven loves Synergie Skin ReVeal and Dr. LeWinn’s Reversaderm Corrective Skin Peel. 

Can you alter your diet, too?

You sure can! “Make sure to drink plenty of water. It’s easy to forget in winter. I love adding Hydration Beauty Boost from The Beauty Chef into a glass of water to increase my water intake and get the great hydrating benefits it gives at a cellular level so we are looking after our skin both inside and out," says Tilly. "Avocados are great at the moment with healthy fats and oils it will give the skin some moisture from the inside. Try opting for herbal teas instead of black tea and coffee."

Don’t forget that the skin on your body can also get dry in winter! To combat dry skin on your body, try using the Hello Happy Skin Body Scrub followed by LYCON Hand and Body Lotion - Pomegranate.

Main image credit: @jastookes

*This article has been updated since its original publication.

Do you get dry skin in winter? What is your winter skin care routine like?