A Dermatologist’s Guide to Transitioning Your Skincare Routine
As the seasons change, so do the needs of our skin, particularly as we transition from the warmth of summer to the cool, dry air of winter. The shift in weather can be tough on your skin—cold temperatures, low humidity, and harsh winds can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and cracking. Indoor heating can exacerbate these issues by further reducing moisture in the air, which can be especially troublesome for those with conditions such as eczema and rosacea. Transitioning your skincare routine is essential to keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and balanced during these colder months.
Our dermatologist’s guide to making that transition seamlessly
1. Choose a Thicker Moisturiser
During the summer, you likely favoured a lightweight moisturiser, but as autumn arrives and the air becomes cooler and drier, your skin needs something more substantial. Opt for a richer cream packed with nourishing, moisturising ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help to strengthen your skin’s barrier and lock in moisture. One excellent choice is the EltaMD® Barrier Renewal Complex (€82), which is clinically proven to moisturise the outermost layer of your skin and improve the appearance of dry, compromised skin within just 24 hours. It’s particularly beneficial for those with dry, sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, acne, and post-procedure skin, offering a blend of ceramides and essential lipids to restore your skin’s natural hydration system.
2. Switch to a Gentle Cleanser
The winter season calls for a gentler, more hydrating cleanser. Look for cream-based cleansers that contain ingredients such as glycerin or ceramides. These cleansers will effectively clean your skin without stripping away its natural oils, which are crucial for maintaining hydration in the colder months. Consider incorporating a double cleanse in your evening routine, using Elta MD oil-in-gel cleanser (€44) first to remove makeup, impurities, and pollution while nourishing your skin.
3. Incorporate Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins in your skin and play a crucial role in skin health. They help repair damage, stimulate collagen production, and keep your skin hydrated and soothed, which is particularly important during the cooler months. Products like EltaMD Skin Recovery Serum (€89) are an excellent choice. This serum includes a blend of three amino acids that increase hydration and visibly reduce redness, helping to prevent the irritation that often accompanies colder weather.
4. Super-Potent Antioxidant Serum
To protect your skin against the damaging effects of free radicals—both from external pollutants and internal processes—incorporating a super-potent antioxidant serum is crucial. The skinbetter Science Alto Defence Serum goes beyond vitamins C and E by adding 17 additional free radical fighters, providing comprehensive environmental defence. It neutralises free radicals generated by the skin’s natural ageing process and supports the skin’s renewal cycle for a more rejuvenated, energised appearance.
This serum also helps prevent and improve sun damage, uneven skin tone, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Apply it both morning and evening to your face, neck, and décolletage for optimal results.
5. Keep Up with Daily Sunscreen
Just because the sun's rays aren't as strong in autumn as they are in summer, doesn't mean you should skip your daily sunscreen. UVB rays are most intense from May to October in Ireland but UVA rays are present all year round. . Stick to the same sunscreen routine you followed during the summer—apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen 15 minutes before heading outside and reapply every two hours to any exposed skin. A great option is the Elta MD UV Clear Tinted (€61), which is designed to calm and protect sensitive skin prone to discolouration and breakouts. It also delivers a healthy tint to the skin while promoting a glowing complexion. Elta MD UV Elements contains extra hyaluronic acid for hydration and Vitamin C to brighten dull skin and fight free radical damage.
6. Incorporate an AHA and Retinoid for Rejuvenation
Winter is the perfect time to incorporate skin-rejuvenating ingredients that work to resurface and refresh the skin. The BEST SELLING product for us is skinbetter Science Alpharet Overnight Cream. A unique combination of an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and a retinoid can offer visible results with minimal irritation. This product reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as little as four weeks, while smoothing and retexturising the skin.
This revolutionary formula combines the gold-standard ingredients of retinoid and lactic acid, providing deep rejuvenation while avoiding the irritation associated with traditional retinoids. Additionally, it offers an ultra-hydrating blend of squalane, niacinamide, ceramides, and fatty acids to deeply moisturise the skin. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and CoEnzyme Q10 help brighten the skin and protect against free radicals. Apply a thin layer to your face at night to see smoother, more youthful-looking skin over time.
7. Protect Your Eye Area
The delicate skin around your eyes needs extra care, especially during the winter. Consider using a lightweight, antioxidant-rich product like the EltaMD UV AOX Eye Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (€67). This product protects the delicate skin around your eyes, minimises fine lines, and brightens dark circles. Its 100% mineral, non-irritating, hydrating formula is enriched with powerful antioxidants that help repair and strengthen the skin barrier, leaving your skin looking youthful and healthy. Plus, it’s tinted to visibly reduce signs of premature ageing and correct dull, uneven skin tone.
8. Don’t Forget Lip Balm
Your lips are especially vulnerable to the harsh conditions of winter, often becoming dry, chapped, and even cracked/split. To keep them soft and protected, opt for a high-quality, moisturising lip balm with built-in sun protection. EltaMD UV Lip Balm (€20) is a standout option, offering a creamy, long-lasting formula that soothes and protects dry, chapped, and sun-exposed lips. With 5% Hydromanil™ for immediate and long-term hydration, this balm delivers powerful UV protection while ensuring your lips stay moisturised and comfortable. It’s the ideal protector for all skin types and lifestyles, ensuring your lips remain healthy throughout the colder months.
Transitioning your skincare routine from summer to winter doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require some thoughtful adjustments. By incorporating richer moisturisers, gentler cleansers, amino acids, and ensuring consistent sun protection, you can maintain healthy, hydrated, and glowing skin all winter long. If you’re looking for a refresh on your skincare, book a skincare consultation today, where our expert team will offer personalised advice, and recommend the perfect products for your skin.
EltaMD products are available exclusively in Europe at the Institute of Dermatologists, both in-clinic and online.