This week was the week. The big coats came out, the car needed scraping, and the heating went on in our house for the first time since spring.
And right on cue, my skin started to feel it.
If your face feels tight by lunchtime, your make-up is sitting on dry patches, or your usual moisturiser suddenly isn't cutting it, you're not imagining it. Here's what's going on, and the simple things I do (and recommend in the studio) to get through winter.
Why skin struggles in winter
Cold air holds less moisture. Then we go inside, crank up the heating, and the air gets even drier. Add hot showers, wind on the school run and fewer daylight hours, and your skin barrier has a lot to deal with.
Your barrier is the outer layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When it's under pressure, skin can feel tight, look dull, flake, sting with products you normally love, or go red more easily.
The good news? Most of this responds really well to a few small changes.
My winter skin swaps
Switch to a gentler cleanser. If your cleanser leaves skin squeaky, it's too much for winter. A cream or balm cleanser is kinder.
Go a bit richer at night. I keep my lighter moisturiser for the morning and use something more nourishing in the evening. Look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin and squalane.
Layer, don't overload. A hydrating serum under your moisturiser does more than piling on more cream.
Keep the SPF going. I know, it's grey outside. But daylight still reaches your skin all year round, and SPF is one of the best things you can do for long-term skin health.
Turn the shower down a notch. Very hot water strips skin. Lukewarm is your friend.
Ease off the strong actives if skin is cross. If things are stinging, pause exfoliating acids or retinoids for a few days and focus on calm and hydration. Then bring them back slowly.
What I'm doing in the studio this season
Autumn and winter are a lovely time for skin treatments. There's less strong sunshine, and we're all spending more time indoors.
It's the season I love for:
Hydrating facials to give skin a proper drink and a bit of TLC.
Skin boosters like Profhilo and Seventy Hyal, which use hyaluronic acid to support hydration from within. These are a course, not a quick fix, so starting now means you're well into it by party season.
Chemical peels and microneedling, where suitable, as part of a planned course. Winter is a great time to work on texture and tone because there's less sun to manage afterwards.
Every skin is different, so I always start with a proper consultation. Some skins need calming first before we do anything more active, and that's completely fine.
A note for perimenopausal skin
If you're in perimenopause or menopause, you might find winter hits harder than it used to. Falling oestrogen affects how well skin holds onto moisture, so the cold can feel like a double whammy.
You're not doing anything wrong. Your skin just needs a slightly different kind of care now, and richer, barrier-loving products make a real difference. It's something I talk about with clients every week.
The honest bit
You don't need a whole new routine for winter. You need a few tweaks, done consistently. A gentle cleanser, a good moisturiser, SPF and a bit of patience will take you a long way.
If your skin is feeling tight, dull or just not quite right this autumn, I'd love to help. You can book a skin consultation at my studio in Ashford, Kent through the website, or DM me "GLOW" on Instagram and we'll chat about what your skin needs this winter.
Liz x
Featured image: Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash