With the winters now in full swing, flaky skin, and chapped lips have forced skincare junkies to rummage through their bathroom cabinets in search of a remedy that brings back the supple bounce and effortless glow of the summer months. While your skin grapples with the dry air and sensitivity, you can give it a boost by diligently following a simple regimen that soothes, replenishes, and protects – all at once.

Cleanse

It is essential to use a face cleanser that nourishes and hydrates your skin instead of stripping your natural oils and disrupting your skin barrier. Cleansing sets the tone for your skincare routine. To avoid dryness, sensitivity and irritation, use a cream cleanser that has a balmy texture and breaks down the dirt that accumulates on your face over the course of the day.

Exfoliate

To allow skincare products to absorb into your skin and perform well, it is important to remove the dead skin cells that cause flaky skin. At the same time, you have to be mindful of not harming your skin barrier with harsh exfoliants. Using gentle exfoliants is the way to go.

Toner or Essence

While layering products, always move from the thinnest to the thickest in terms of consistency. Immediately after cleansing, apply a liquid toner or essence that hydrates your skin, and preps it to effectively absorb the next products in your routine. While this is not a necessary step, it can help to moisturise dry skin.

Serum

Use a hydrating serum that also contains ingredients that support your skin barrier, which can help to avoid irritation that leads to dryness. This is a simple way to amplify the hydrating and moisturising effects of your products.

Moisturiser

You can apply a thin or thick layer of lotion, ideally one that contains nourishing ingredients. This will help to address the roughness and tightness that generally characterises winter skin. If you have extremely dry skin, you can also use a facial oil or balm as a final step to lock in the moisture.

This routine will help you improve the tone and texture of your skin, as well as prevent skin sensitivity or inflammation. It is important to be aware of how your skin may react to certain products or ingredients, and do a patch test before committing to a product. By finding products that work in harmony with your skin type, and even seeking professional guidance where required, you can maintain your skin health throughout the season – and unabashedly revel in the glory of winters!