We Answer Your Most-Asked Skincare Questions This Winter

Here at Skin + Me, we’re all about expertise. Expert treatments and an expert Prescribing Team yes, but also expert advice – and that means making sure you’re equipped with all the knowledge you need to make your skin journey a success. 

So, we’ve collated the 10 most-asked questions from Skin + Me members this winter and provided all the answers you’re looking for. Whether you’re wondering how to update your routine in cold weather or pondering when you’ll see results, it’s all here – why not bookmark this page for reference whenever you need some friendly skincare advice?

Q: Should I change my skincare routine for winter?

A: Cold weather can weaken the skin barrier, which can lead to dryness, redness and irritation along with worsening of conditions like eczema. If your skin is feeling more fragile in the winter, then here’s what you can do to protect it.

• Moisturise regularly – Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin, which will help your skin stay hydrated. If you’re using Skin + Me Soothe + Smooth Light Moisturiser then you might want to switch to the Rich formulation, which is fortified with shea butter, for the chilly months
• Switch to a more hydrating cleanser – The last thing you want to do is strip your skin, so opt for something that won’t dry out your skin. If you’re a fan of the Purify + Prep Clarifying Cleanser, you might want to swap it for the Hydrating version. 
• Avoid harsh acids and scrubs – This is not the time to be putting your skin through more than it has to go through. Mechanical scrubs and strong acids can further weaken your skin barrier, so it’s best to avoid them and stick to a simple, stripped back routine that nourishes your skin. 
• Avoid super hot showers — Hot water can leave your skin feeling even more dry, so it’s better to use lukewarm water when cleansing instead. 

Q: When will my skincare products expire?

A: Different products have different expiration dates – here’s our rundown of how long you can keep using your favourite before it’s time to say goodbye. 

If something smells bad or looks weird then it’s time to say goodbye, and make sure you also keep track of the Period After Opening (PAO) symbols, as they’ll give you an idea of how long you can keep using a specific product. And remember, your Daily Doser has an expiration date on it, so your personalised treatment will always be fresh.

Q: Can you get aesthetic skin treatments when using tretinoin?

You don’t need to give up your favourite aesthetic treatments just because you’re using tretinoin, but you will need to pause your tretinoin to give your skin time to recover. Here’s what our derms recommend: 

Q: What ingredients should I avoid when using my Skin + Me Daily Doser?

A: We don’t recommend using any other active ingredients alongside your Daily Doser – this is because it can increase the chances of you having a reaction to your Skin + Me solution. However, if you’re using our new Brighten + Boost Morning Treatment Serums then they should be fine, as we designed them specially to enhance the progress from your Daily Doser.

Q: What qualifications does my Skin + Me Prescriber have?

A: Your treatment will be overseen by our team of Prescribers (also known as Pharmacist Independent Prescribers) who are all General Pharmaceutical Council registered.

All Skin + Me Prescribers have a Master of Pharmacy degree to become GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) registered, and have a minimum of eight years of study and practical experience. Our Skin + Me Prescribers specialise in dermatology, and have all been trained by leading UK Consultant Dermatologists to give them everything they need to oversee the day-to-day care of all of our customers. You can find out more about our team of Prescribers here.

Q: What skincare routine should I use when using Skin + Me?

A: When using your prescription treatment, we strongly recommend stripping back your skincare routine and keeping it simple. Active ingredients are very effective, but they can sometimes leave the skin prone to dryness and irritation – particularly in the first few weeks while your skin is adjusting, and when we introduce – or increase the strength of – ingredients such as tretinoin. 

In the morning, you should cleanse, treat with your Brighten + Boost Morning Treatment Serum if you use one, moisturise and protect with a good sunscreen with at least SPF 30. 

In the evening, you should cleanse, treat with your Daily Doser and moisturise. Remember to leave enough time between each step to allow the goodness to soak in.

Q: What are the side effects of tretinoin?

A: Tretinoin’s most common side effects include dry skin, redness, irritation and mild peeling – which usually occur in the first few weeks of treatment, while your skin adjusts to this ingredient’s powerful properties.

There’s also a chance of purging too, which is when the increase in cell turnover can cause further temporary blocking of the pores you’re trying to unblock. This can appear as a few more blackheads, whiteheads or bigger, red spots that can take a few weeks to clear up again. While it can feel as though the treatment is making your skin worse, purging is actually a normal process in clearing your skin – a bit like a spring clean.

Tretinoin also increases your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, so it’s super important to apply your sunscreen (with at least SPF 30) every morning.

Q: Do I need to wear sunscreen in the winter?

A: We always recommend that you wear a broad spectrum sunscreen, at least factor SPF 30 and including UVA and UVB protection. This should be a separate product from your foundation and moisturiser, even if they contain SPF, as the SPF in these products is not as efficient as an SPF on its own. No matter what time of year it is, UVA and UVB rays will still pass through the clouds and UVA rays can penetrate windows, even if you’re inside all day. 

Exposure to UV contributes to the early signs of skin ageing and can make pigmentation issues worse, so it is important to wear a good quality sunscreen.

Q: When will I see results with Skin + Me?

A: Prescription skin treatments can take time to work, so patience and consistency are key to achieving the best results. To get the most from your Skin + Me treatment, it’s essential that you apply your Daily Doser every night, and stick to a simple skincare routine.

Skin + Me treatment plans are designed to gradually evolve over time, increasing the strength of the active ingredients within your personalised solution month by month. Everyone’s skin journey is different, and while some may see an improvement in their skin very quickly, it can take up to 16 weeks for most people to see truly meaningful results.

Q: Can I have a phone call with my Prescriber?

A: At the moment we don’t offer consultations over the phone or via video call. Skin + Me is an online dermatology service, therefore any sensitive medical information needs to be communicated safely and securely to our Prescribing Team via a reconsultation link. If you want to change your formulation, simply email our Dermatology Support Team on hello@skinandme.com requesting a reconsultation, and they’ll be happy to help you.