Winter skincare tips

It's that time of the year! Moving the knitwear to the front of the wardrobe, pulling out those winter coats to take to the dry cleaners; wondering if they're all still on-trend, or ready for the charity shop. But it's also time to re-assess our beauty routines!

Colder temperatures, sharp winds, lack of sunlight, plus excess dry heating indoors all plays havoc with our skin during these colder months. 

Fear not. There's no need for a complete overhaul; but with a few tweaks to your beauty routine, you can ensure you enjoy the winter season without having to worry about the way you look. On the contrary, you'll have great skin, whatever's going on outside.

Your new best friend: a gentle cleanse.

When it comes to cleansing in cold weather, a gentle formula helps to prevent that unpleasant, tight skin feeling. Ultrabland cleansing balm is based on an age old, Greek formula and contains minimal ingredients, meaning you can enjoy a deep but delicate cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural defences. A stunning combination of hydrating almond oil, soothing rose water and beeswax - Ultrabland will cling to any impurities as it contains antibacterial honey. The rich, melty texture of this cleanser makes it wonderfully warming and comforting in cold weather. Simply apply all over the skin and then remove with either a warm cloth or cotton pads.

Scrub up well

It’s no secret that regularly exfoliating can help to brighten the skin. Scrubbing up a couple of times a week will boost blood circulation and help you to regain radiance.

Shake off the winter blues with Let The Good Times Roll cleanser. This mild maize flour exfoliator has a sweet, butterscotch scent and contains corn oil, a rich source of hydrating linoleic acid and protective vitamin E. Cinnamon, a natural antibacterial, adds an aromatic twist to this comforting scrub and aids blood flow to the surface of the skin, giving you a smooth and glowy finish. Pinch a little from the pot and rub into a paste in the palm of your hand using a little warm water. Then simply spread over your face using circular motions and rinse away with warm water. You’ll be a-maized by the results!

Time to tone!

Spending more time in air conditioned rooms or out in crisp winds can leave our skin feeling more sensitive than usual. Toners can help moisturisers to penetrate the pores further for extra hydration and will leave your skin feeling seriously clean.

Just a spritz of Eau Roma Water toner will help balance complexions. This delicately floral toner water contains soothing rose and pacifying lavender to revitalise and even out skin tone. Spray onto a cotton pad, or directly onto your face, breathing in the relaxing scent before wiping away and enjoying eau so soft skin.

Looking for a cosy option? Dream Steam toner tab is an indulgent way to tone. Pop one of these solid toner tabs in a bowl of boiling water and place your head over the bowl. When it hits the water it will fizz and slowly dissolve, creating steam that will open up your pores and allow the essential oils to sink into your skin. Dream Steam contains the natural anti inflammatory chamomile blue oil, which is renowned for its soothing qualities. Tea tree oil will keep your face clean and clear due to its antiseptic nature, while rose and lavender will calm and balance, and if you’re feeling under the weather inhale the steam to relieve blocked sinuses.

All eyes on you

Whether it’s the darker mornings or the busy party season, winter can leave us feeling a little bleary eyed. The skin around the eyes is naturally more sensitive, so investing in a gentle eye cream can give you back that bright-eyed feeling. Use a small amount of Enchanted Eye Cream just before you moisturise, dabbing it along the line of the cheekbone and up towards the brow bone. A mix of organic oils and lavender honey water will hydrate the under-eye area and keep it feeling firm.

A soft touch

End your routine with a generous slather of rich moisturiser to lock in enhancing oils and butters for supple and soft skin. There’s a whole host of moisturisers to choose from, but here’s a couple of top picks for chillier days.

For full hydration, quench your skin with Skin Drink moisturiser - a rich formula, packed to the brim with softening butters and oils. Nutrient-rich Fair Trade organic sesame oil and almond oil will protect your skin from the elements, while fresh avocado deeply hydrates. Aloe vera will soothe wind-beaten skin and evening primrose oil restores. Finally, a sunny rose and neroli scent will keep you and your skin in good spirits.

When bitter weather bites, opt for Celestial moisturiser, a light yet deeply softening moisturiser that is ideal for tender skin. High in vitamin E - almond oil and milk can protect the skin from damage, while dove orchids and Fair Trade organic cocoa butter condition and calm. Scented with sweet vanilla water, your skin will feel out of this world.

If you’re prone to a rosy glow from the chilly air, Sleepy Face solid cleanser is packed with calming French lavender and oat milk to settle skin tones back to their normal hue. Combine this with the balancing Turkish rose oil found in Argan solid facial oil and say goodbye to red cheeks this winter.

Lip service

As the cold weather descends, we all know that sometimes, it’s not quite as easy as just a quick swipe of colour for that much-coveted lipstick look. The skin on our lips is super thin and prone to dry out, quickly. A little extra TLC is needed during these colder days. 

Our lip scrubs contain a sweet combination of caster sugar and organic jojoba oil that will buff off any pesky dry skin, whilst leaving your lips refreshed and replenished. Simply apply to your lips and when you’re done, lick the product off, pat dry and repeat as needed. Unbelievably, people often do choose to repeat this step...we wonder why? 

Honey lip scrub is also enriched with sweet wild orange and almond oils for truly perky and smooth smackers. Or try Mint Julips lip scrub with hints of sweet vanilla and peppermint for a refreshing feel.

Follow up your routine with a swipe of our favourite lip balm from our collection. Keep it sweet and fresh with choices such as Rose Lollipop, Key Lime Pie or Honey Trap, or keep it no fuss and neutral with Lip Service or None Of Your Beeswax lip balms. Whatever your preference, warm a little onto your ring finger, swipe onto your freshly polished pout and let the natural oils and butters sink in.

Hand-le with care

And finally, don’t forget your hands. Harsh weather conditions can really take it out of your skin, especially your hands, so protecting them is a great idea. Wearing gloves when you are outside in the cold weather doesn't just keep you toasty, it helps skin to retain moisture and stay soft until summer. 

If you have five minutes, a hand massage is a lovely way to relax and look after your hands. Using a massage bar or hand lotion, work it across your palms, fingers, and wrists focusing on your pressure points. It's a perfect way to unwind, if only for a moment. 

It can be difficult to get into the habit of treating your hands with care, but a good hand cream is a great place to start. Handy Gurugu hand cream's high butter content includes shea, peanut, cashew and almond butters and is perfect to slather on at night. A little Lemony Flutter cuticle butter is filled with fresh organic lemon infusion and organic avocado oil to ensure your nails are hydrated and happy too! 

With a whole host of products to choose from, you can welcome winter without worry, knowing your skin will be soothed and shielded from the cold. We encourage you to experiment with your routine, but also take it easy; so go and explore your options.