For all of winter’s seasonal highs – cosy knits, hot chocolates and fireside gatherings – there are a few less pleasant side effects. Cue the onslaught of dehydrated, itchy skin that’s currently settling in for the long haul. While switching to a good moisturiser at the first sign of cold weather proves helpful, there is more you can do to protect your skin throughout winter.
Here, Adore Beauty founder Kate Morris reveals a slate of tried and tested beauty hacks ready to nix your skin woes.
Cold weather and central heating can leave our skin feeling super dehydrated. When it comes to moisturisers, which ingredients should we be looking for?
I think the key to preventing dehydration is getting into some hyaluronic acid serums under your moisturiser. We’re in the middle of Melbourne winter so I’m layering two of them at the moment: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier which amplifies the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels, followed by SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel which is like a big drink of water for the skin. This way I can really amp up the hydration without getting breakouts.
What are your favourite daytime and night time moisturisers and why?
I like Aspect Phytostat 9 for day, because it never peels under foundation but seems to work both summer and winter; and Cosmedix Emulsion for night which is super rich but not greasy.
How should we be layering face oils and moisturisers? Is there a correct order? Should we be mixing them?
If you’re going to combine them then oil first, moisturiser second. Yes you can mix them too.
If you’re trying a new crème or oil, can you overdo it?
If your new creme contains a lot of retinol then you can absolutely overdo it! Always start a new retinol just once a week before building it up slowly, to see what your skin will tolerate. In our office, we see regular occurrences of “#AdoreBeautyFace” which is the peeling and redness from too much retinol. It’s not bad for you but you’ll look a bit rough for a few days!
What’s your favourite face mask and do you multi-mask? (i.e. apply more than one mask at once)
My skin is pretty dry all over so I don’t multi-mask. My faves are Sodashi Brightening Mineral Marine Mask (which I use after travelling), and SK-II Skin Signature 3D Redefining sheet masks (which I use before a big event).
What’s your top winter beauty splurge and why?
My layered SkinCeuticals hyaluronic serums, obviously; but also the giant pump bottle of Kiehl’s Creme de Corps body lotion, without which my arms and legs would be dry as anything.
What’s your favourite budget-friendly splurge and why?
I love – and have repurchased many times – 3INA’s automatic eye pencil. Just as good as the more expensive ones I reckon, and no sharpening required.
Flaky make-up is a common concern – what’s your favourite hydrating foundation?
Look after your skin first, makeup second – no amount of makeup will fix skin that’s really dehydrated underneath. That said I do tend towards creamier foundations in winter, such as Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk or Lancome Teint Miracle.
What’s your favourite winter fragrance?
I alternate between Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, and Lancome La Vie Est Belle.
Any tips for extending the life of your blow-dry?
Silk pillowcase! Once you start using one, you’ll never go back. I have to travel with mine now as I’m so addicted – I have four of the Shhh Silk ones. Also, a spritz of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray into the roots every morning keeps the volume going.
This article originally appeared on InStyle.
