Our Tips For Winter Skincare PLUS The Best Cleansers, Moisturisers and Sunscreens

Baby it’s cold outside – but that doesn’t mean your skin has to suffer. Here at Skin + Me, our expert medical team know that a nourishing wrap-around skincare routine is more important than ever as the nights draw in and party season approaches.

We’re not suggesting for a major overhaul (we’re still skinamalists at heart) but plumping for skin barrier-friendly cleansers and hydrating formulas that lock in all-important moisture, alongside an ongoing commitment to your personalised Daily Doser, will keep your complexion radiant while continuing to work on your treatment focus – long after the festivities have fizzled out.

Cold Weather Skincare SOS

Good news – the basics of your Dermatologist-recommended routine doesn’t need to change much. But if you want to soothe winter-worn skin, here’s our selection of cold weather-ready recommendations – expertly approved by our in-house Dermatologists Dr Jason Thomson and Dr Malvina Cunningham. 

Impartial expertise

Before we get stuck in, just a note to say that Skin + Me are editorially impartial when it comes to our product selections – we don’t get a commission if you buy them. This feature is designed to help you cut through all the unnecessary skincare industry noise when it comes to your winter skincare routine. We care about science-proven solutions – and what works for you.

Cleansers

A good, gentle cleanser will support your skin, giving it a deep cleanse without compromising its protective barrier. Look for options that are ideally fragrance-free, marked as ‘cream’ or ‘hydrating’ and water-soluble to preserve your skin barrier without drying out or irritating your skin. 

There’s plenty of choice out there if you’re looking for a formulation that feels rich on your skin – even if you’re not feeling too rich yourself.

If your budget is less than a tenner, our dermatologist team recommend you try CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser. 

Other top-rated cleansers loved by the team include Avene Tolerance Extreme Cleanser, La Roche Posay Effaclar H Cleanser, Paula’s Choice Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser and if you have very dry skin, Clinique Take the Day Off Balm Cleanser.

Moisturisers

A good moisturiser is key in repairing your skin barrier and allowing your custom Skin + Me formula to work most effectively. As the weather gets colder, you may want to swap your moisturiser for a slightly richer formula. Look for one that hydrates your skin and doesn’t clog your pores especially if your skin has a tendency to breakout.

The type of moisturiser you choose will depend on your skin type and the formulation your skin loves best.

Dr Jason Thomson on his favourite moisturiser: “My favourite moisturiser is Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. It’s got a great texture and suits my combination skin type – a bit oily in the T-zone and dry on the cheeks.”

If your skin type is oily, then you could also try La Roche Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluid or Paula’s Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser. Our derms recommend La Roche Posay Toleriane or Skinceuticals Redness Neutraliser for combination skin.

Expert picks for normal or dry skin include Avene Skin Recovery Cream and Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser or La Roche Posay Effaclar H Cream.

sunscreen

Dr Jason Thomson explains why you should always wear sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy: “Sun protection is one of the most important, and beneficial things you can do for maintaining your skin’s health. UV damage is the biggest contributor to skin ageing (around 80%), so regularly applying a high factor (at least SPF30), broad-spectrum sunscreen every day is essential.”

Both Dr Jason Thomson and Dr Malvina Cunningham use Altruist sunscreen. Jason explains: “My go-to sunscreen is the Altruist Face Fluid SPF 50. Altruist is a great sunscreen brand created by a UK dermatologist – their sunscreens offer very high protection against UVB (which causes skin cancers) and UVA (which causes photo-ageing).”

Other dermatologist-approved SPFs for everyday wear include Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50, Heliocare Advanced XF Gel SPF 50 and La Roche Posay Anthelios Shaka Fluide SPF 50. We also love Glossier’s Invisible Shield SPF 35.

And so there you have it, the best products to choose from this season. Armed with the right ones for your skin type, your daily forecast will be fresh and glowing – whatever the weather.

Medical facts checked by Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Malvina Cunningham