Greetings from citrus season, the only bright speck amid this wet, grey and shruggy winter we are currently experiencing. Even though the weather is depressing, at least you know your local supermarket is going to be overflowing with the juicy sweetness of your favourite citrus fruit variety. Ok, we are getting severely off topic here.
What we came here to discuss is that if you thought the winter couldn’t get any worse, we are here to tell you just how wrong you are. If you have dry or dehydrated skin, you will know better than most that winter can wreak havoc on just about all aspects of life not relating to citrus fruit. Our skin included. So to help get you through this cold spell, we have pulled together our favourite skincare products and in-clinic treatments that probably won’t address the winter blues, but are fun to put on your skin, mostly, and will definitely help bring your skin back to life, even if your soul wants to stay dormant a little longer.
I mean, with a relatively clear social calendar, why not make your face resemble the smoothest porcelain for our winter-induced tears to tumble down?
What happens to our skin in winter
Change is in the air, literally
So what actually happens to our skin in winter, you ask? The main change is the air, which may seem obvious, but cold air actually has less water than warm air, despite how it might feel. This is because of the humidity, and when the humidity drops the air becomes dryer which leads to less water for the skin. With this impact it leads to a comprised skin barrier and your skin starts to lose moisture to the environment. You will experience what is called transepidermal water loss. This is basically your skin’s way of crying out for help, and if left unchecked, can result in your skin feeling dull, tight, flaky, reactive and stressed leading to inflammation.
Indoor heating is not helping
And to make matters worse, your indoor heating is not helping either. We are not trying to break up your relationship with the heat pump or anything, but the constant blasting of hot air while you are indoors (which is likely to be about 99% of the time) will not be doing your skin any favours. Artificial heating, unlike natural heat, actually dries out the air inside your house or office, which means you are marinating in a moisture-sucking bubble, essentially.
Long hot showers, anyone?
The long, long hot showers you may be taking will also be contributing to stripping away your skin’s natural lipids. These fats make up part of your skin’s barrier (which is basically your skin's body guard) and when these get washed down the drain, so too does your skin's natural defence strategies nd water will leach out of your skin.
You are still using your summer products
This one is probably the main culprit to be honest. If you are still applying that gel moisturiser you were loving in January on the skin in the hopes it will keep the winter scaries at bay, well, it won’t. Remember to not only adjust your skincare regime coming into the cooler months but to increase hydration as the winter processes on. Your skin will get dryer as the winter months drag on just like you need to swap out your linens for your knits, your skincare routine needs adjusting too (more on that later).
The winter skincare routine your skin needs
Gentle Cleanser
Winter is not the time to be rubbing your face raw with physical exfoliants, though a gentle exfoliation is recommended to remove those dry dehydrated cells. Gel cleansers can also be stripping if your skin isn’t in the right place emotionally. So you want to stick with something that is creamy, comforting and ideally not too foamy.
The Skinsmiths Gentle Cream Cleanser ticks all the boxes. Think of it as your soft reset button; it melts away grime from the day without disrupting your barrier. It’s also great for reactive or rosacea-prone skin, which can worsen during the winter.
Hydrating Serums
Dry skin lacks oil, whereas dehydrated skin lacks water. That tight feeling? This means you need to invest in one or a few hydrating serums that will help to replenish the skin's moisture levels, as well as keep the skin barrier happy and healthy. One of our all-time favourites is Murad’s Revitalixir Recovery Serum. This is full of niacinamide, peptides, and caffeine that all work together to boost hydration, smooth fine lines and bring bounce back to dry skin.
Also, speaking of citrus. Vitamin C is also a really fantastic ingredient to have on hand in winter. This is known to revitalise dull and tired skin and can bring back skin from the brink.
Murad Retinol Eye Masks
Good under-eye masks are honestly one of the greatest disguise gimmicks in the history of beauty. Seriously, if you put these on religiously, no one will be able to tell how you are feeling.
The Murad ones are extra extra because they’re not just cooling and de-puffing… they’re powered by retinol. And not just any retinol. These little crescent miracles deliver a controlled-release encapsulated retinol that firms, smooths, and softens fine lines without that telltale irritation. So basically, you're doing a targeted anti-ageing treatment and covering up your sins, all while making it look like you’ve had eight hours of sleep and actually stepped foot outside your house in the weekend to do some form of physical activity.
Intense Recovery Moisturiser
Rich moisturisers are usually have more weight and nourishment, and we rank Murad’s Intense Recovery Cream very highly among those on offer. The texture is both nourishing and reparing but also absorbs quickly, which is a hard combination to find.
Oil is not the enemy
A few drops of a facial oil over your moisturiser can actually make all the difference in the world when it comes to glowing up dry and dehydrated skin. The Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Oil Drops are small lipid weight and is amazing used before a moisturizer for repair , think lightest to heaviest application are the perfect solution to your winter woes. This will both seal in hydration at the cellular level as well as help to fortify your skin barrier.
Treatments to have on your radar
Winter is honestly the best time to dip your toes (or dive in head first) into some professional skin treatments. Less UV exposure means better results as well as a safer recovery. Here are a few of our favourites for getting your glow back.
Sonophoresis Infusion Facial
Best for: Dehydrated, dull or tired skin
Sonophoresis is the perfect entry-level facial if your skin’s simply lacking its usual plumpness or bounce. Using low-frequency sound waves, we gently push active serums deeper into your skin, way beyond where fingertips alone can go.
Expect instantly refreshed, hydrated skin with no downtime. It’s especially great in winter because it delivers what your skin needs most, deep hydration, without irritation or stripping.
Ideal frequency: Every 2–4 weeks
Microneedling
Best for: Fine lines, enlarged pores, acne scars, and overall texture
Microneedling creates tiny micro-injuries to the skin, which kickstart your body’s collagen production. It’s kind of like telling your skin to wake up, repair itself, and come back stronger. The cooler months are the ideal time to get your microneedling done because you’ll be avoiding intense sun, which is key post-procedure to avoid pigmentation.
You’ll see smoother, firmer, glowier skin over time. And the results keep getting better with each session.
Downtime: 1–3 days of light redness or flaking
Ideal frequency: Every 4–6 weeks in a series of 3–6 sessions.
LED Light Therapy
Best for: Skin barrier repair, inflammation, and winter breakouts
LED Light Therapy can honestly do it all. Red light therapy stimulates collagen and calms inflammation, while blue light kills acne-causing bacteria. It’s non-invasive, relaxing, and can be added onto any facial treatment…especially if your skin is too sensitive for more active treatments during winter. And if you are too busy to get into the clinic for regular treatments, no problem, the Skinsmiths LED Facial Mask can deliver incredible results from the comfort of your own home.
Ideal frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly for best results
Photo Rejuvenation
Best for: Redness, sun damage, broken capillaries, and pigmentation
For those who want to leave absolutely no stone left unturned, try Photo Rejuvenation. This advanced treatment uses IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) that works by targeting pigment and vascular irregularities in your skin. Think sunspots, redness, and dullness from summer damage that’s still hanging around.
Again, winter is the best time to do any of the advanced treatments because your skin needs to be free from sun exposure pre- and post-treatment. Expect brighter, more even-toned skin…like a real-life filter.
Downtime: Some redness or darkening of spots for a few days
Ideal frequency: 3–6 treatments spaced 3–4 weeks apart
To wrap it up
So yes, winter skin can be a bit dramatic, but it doesn't mean you have to suffer through the season of dullness in discomfort. The truth is, the cooler months give the perfect opportunity to reset and with a few intelligent product swaps and tailored in-clinic treatments, your skin can actually thrive with the temperature drops, not just survive.
Come summer, your skin will thank you for the hard yards you have been putting in by being glowier, healthier, and more resilient than it was in the summer. So instead of seeing winter as your skin’s off-season, think of it as your skin’s pre-season training camp.
