Your natural routine to revive dull, tired winter skin.
Cozy fires in cold weather, holiday travel, champagne, sugar, late nights…all the good things during the festive season show up on the skin a few weeks later, leaving it drier and duller than usual. Winter air and indoor heat sure don’t help. But the path back to radiance isn’t complicated. What’s called for is adjusting to what the season requires, which is more hydration, natural actives that add radiance, and some hands-on massage to wake your skin up.
“Well-hydrated skin is glowing skin,” says Christine Lee, aesthetician, and natural skincare brand Comfort Zone Education Manager, US. She points out that winter is especially tough on the skin barrier: “Your skincare routine right now should repair and strengthen the outer layer since our skin is under constant strain from heating, cold and dry environments, stress, and taking hot showers.” That means starting with a gentle cleanser and patting on a toner or essence.
Add in mild exfoliation a couple times a week. “This assists the skin’s cellular renewal by sloughing off lingering dead skin cells, leaving your skin smoother and able to take in more moisture, increasing its luminosity potential,” Lee explains.
Moisturizer is non-negotiable this time of year. Look for formulas with hyaluronic acid for hydration and peptides for firmness, says Lee. The colder and dryer it is, the richer the texture you’ll likely want.
A face oil can make a noticeable difference. “Evening is the best time to use a skin oil, when our skin can handle more nourishment,” says Lee. Water loss increases during sleep, and oil helps hold moisture in.
Finally, facial massage will boost circulation, relieve tension, and move excess fluid, according to Lee. Fingers work, as do tools like gua sha or rollers. A few minutes is all you need.
Lee’s simplest tip: apply products slowly, not in a rush. The small pause alone helps circulation and absorption.
Your winter radiance routine:
Winter is a good time for a cleanser swap. This one starts as a cream, then shifts to an oil as you massage so it removes makeup and grime without stripping. Marula oil supports the barrier, a must in winter.
This solid oil melts on contact, delivering moisture from camellia and marula oils in a texture that feels rich without being greasy. It leaves a smooth, luminous finish that brings back radiance, especially in colder months. A little goes a long way.
This lightweight essence uses plant-based EGF—a naturally derived protein—to help support moisture and elasticity,. A few drops under your serums and cream helps skin hold on tight to hydration.
This milky serum has soothing, moisturizing botanicals and a light, fluid texture that works well under cream. A few drops soften and make everything layered on top absorb more evenly.
This serum delivers noticeable hydration from hyaluronic acid and forest actives in a thin, watery base. It works well under moisturizer as it binds water to the surface, helping skin stay fuller and smoother through the day.
The GlowPlex complex (niacinamide plus peptides from quinoa and pea) strengthens skin and smooths texture, while vitamin-C–rich Kakadu plum boosts radiance. Shea butter seals in moisture, and artichoke extract adds some nice firming lift.
Gentle, natural acids and soft jojoba beads provide triple-action exfoliation that’s kind to your skin. The cocoa base brings antioxidants, and tranexamic acid and licorice target uneven tone. Used once or twice a week, it leaves skin smoother and clearer.