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Advice

The best hair and skin products for winter

The best hair and skin products for winter
Penny Lafferty
Writer and expert2 years ago
View Penny Lafferty's profile

If the brisk, bitter weather is anything to go by, it’s clear winter is here in full force. While we’re swapping out our lighter jackets for thicker coats and extra layers, it’s easy to forget our hair and skin need a winter switch-up too.

Cold weather can wreak havoc on our hair and skin. The air becomes drier, meaning our complexions may struggle to keep moisture locked in, resulting in dryness and flaking. As humidity drops, our strands can fall victim too, leaving manes dry, limp and prone to damage like split ends.

What can we do to prevent skincare and haircare problems caused by the cooler months? We’ve rounded up our winter beauty essentials to help leave locks luscious and skin soft and protected.

Skin

Cleanser

Your skin needs extra TLC in the winter. So, why not swap your usual foaming cleanser for a gentle, skin-loving formula? REN's Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk is a mild, non-stripping wash that helps lift away impurities without damaging your protective lipid barrier.

CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser wins a staple spot in any skincare routine: perfect for normal to dry skin types, its light, non-stripping formula gently removes dirt and grime while nourishing your complexion.

Toner

Choose toners that help smooth and hydrate your skin in colder weather. The Biossance Squalane and BHA Pore Minimising Toner delivers refreshing hydration while helping to minimise the look of pores.

For complexions that need a quick radiance boost, reach for the COSRX Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner, a nourishing lotion that works to reveal a lit-from-within glow.

Masks

Masks are a great way to indulge in a little ‘me’ time, and are perfect for moments of self-care. This winter, enjoy the rejuvenating powers of the Fresh Floral Recover Calming Mask. Enriched with vitamin C and hydrating squalane, the gentle overnight mask helps to leave skin looking bright and radiant come morning.

AMELIORATE’s Restorative Facial Mask features a blend of hyaluronic acid, squalane and the brand’s unique LaH6 hydration complex, for skin that appears plump with hydration.

Serum

Invest in a serum that gives winter skin a splash of moisture. Vichy’s Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum promotes a plump, healthy-looking base, thanks to 89% hyaluronic acid and the brand’s mineral-rich volcanic mineralising water.

For redness-prone, weather-beaten complexions, we recommend Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Re.Pair Serum, a fast-acting, results-driven serum to help leave skin feeling calm and comfortable.

Moisturiser

Moisturiser should be a Holy Grail step in your winter skincare routine – especially ones that nourish and replenish. Powered by hydrating hero hyaluronic acid, the RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate and Plump Daily Moisturizer with SPF30 works to quench the look and feel of dry skin.

Oily skin needs hydration too, particularly in winter. The Kiehl’s Ultra-Facial Gel Cream provides normal to oily skin types with lightweight moisture while working to minimise the appearance of excess sebum.

SPF

Yes, you still need SPF in the winter. Harmful sunrays can cut through clouds, even on the coolest days of the year. Avoid skipping this essential step and opt for formulas that help protect against sun damage all year long. The Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF50 PA++++ offers high sun protection and lightweight comfort for oily skin types.

La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios  Ultra Hydrating Cream SPF50+ is perfect for dry skin, designed to soothe and protect against UVA, UVB and infrared radiation while nourishing your complexion.

Hair

Shampoo

Wave goodbye to dull, lacklustre locks with Shu Uemera’s Art of Hair Ashita Shampoo, designed to restore hair’s moisture and radiance with extracts of the Japanese ashitaba plant.

Nourish strands from root-to-tip with the Klorane Softening Shampoo. Enriched with oat milk, the gentle hair cleanser provides an intense moisture boost and is suitable for the whole family.

Conditioner

Quench those curls with a replenishing conditioner, such as the DevaCurl One Condition Decadence. Designed for hair types 3 and 4, the hydrating formula softens dry, brittle texture to leave your strands supple and defined.

For those without curly hair, the Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner helps to restore the look of damaged strands by fortifying breakage prone areas, leaving locks feeling smooth and strong.

Masks & Treatments

Treat your tresses to a regular treatment to help restore shine and strength. Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector is a favourite amongst beauty buffs, designed to create softer texture and stronger strands by fortifying damaged bonds.

Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie lends dry curls a moisture boost, starring a blend of silk protein, neem oil and coconut oil to deeply condition from root-to-tip.

Hands, Lips, Nails

Winter weather can dry out our hands, lips and nails. Nourish coarse, weather-worn hands with the Avène Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream for Very Dry Cracked Hands, an extremely gentle formula that wraps skin in rich hydration.

Treat lips to the Rolls Royce of lip balms with the By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Balm SPF15 – this cult-classic product helps to leave lips plump and pillow-soft, thanks to shea butter and fortifying ceramides.

Keep nails feeling strong and protected with the Essie Nail Strengthener. This hardworking nail treatment works to improve strength and resist against breaking, splitting or peeling.

Penny Lafferty
Writer and expert
View Penny Lafferty's profile
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