As the temperatures drop, your skin might start acting up – think dryness, redness, and that annoying dull look. The good news? Now’s the perfect time to switch up your skincare game and get to know your winter skincare ingredients a little better. We asked Clare O’Connor, senior research scientist at No7 in the UK, to break down exactly what your skin needs during winter – and the best ingredients to get results.
“Summer and winter challenge the skin in very different ways,” says O’Connor. “In summer, we deal with excess oil, breakouts, and sun exposure. But winter brings cold air, indoor heating, and low humidity, which strip the skin of moisture and can lead to flakiness and irritation.”
Her advice? Start prepping now if you want your glow back by summer. “Give your skin at least one full cycle – around four weeks – to show visible improvements,” she says. “Look for products that target hydration, radiance, tone, and texture. You’ll also see a reduction in fine lines and excess oil when you’re consistent.”
What Are The Best Skincare Ingredients for Winter?
The combination of cold air outside and artificial heating inside creates the perfect storm for skin stress. Humidity levels plummet, moisture evaporates more quickly from the skin, and you’re more likely to experience irritation, redness, and flakiness.
With all of this in mind, if you want to do skin repairs, the winter months are the best time. This is because “some actives that we use to drive changes to our skin appearance can also lead to a greater sensitivity to sunlight,” explains O’Connor, who lists alpha-hydroxyacids (AHAs) and retinol as active ingredients that may bring on sensitivities. “This makes winter [with its reduced sunlight] an ideal time to … introduce these [skin rebooting] actives into your routine.”
But it’s not just about actives. Switching to richer formulations is also important, as this can help keep skin hydrated and protected against the elements. “A richer facial moisturiser and night cream, along with your regular serum, reduces the impact of skin dryness and aids the appearance of fine dehydration lines and skin turnover,” says O’Connor. “[Moisturiser helps with] radiance, so it should always be incorporated into any winter skin reset.”
Cold air, wind chill, and indoor heating all strip the skin of moisture, so layering hydrating products becomes essential. Think of it as giving your skin a protective winter coat – one that seals in hydration and strengthens the barrier over time.
Peptides 101
If you find retinol difficult to tolerate, we have a solution. Peptides can make a very good substitute. “While retinol will tackle many skin issues, there are some great alternatives, like peptides,” explains O’Connor.
What Are The Benefits of Peptides?
“Peptides are small fragments of proteins that can act as signalling molecules to help support skin repair,” says O’Connor. “The unique peptides within the No7 Future Renew Repair Serum signal to the skin to encourage the production of structural proteins, leading to an improved look.”
“No7’s unique peptides are designed to improve [the look of] multiple signs of skin damage, including lines, wrinkles, loss of radiance … and uneven texture,” explains O’Connor of No7’s new peptide range.
Also enlist the help of a serum. “As the mode of action for peptides is to [help support skin] from within, using a format that absorbs quickly is most effective,” says O’Connor. “Serums often contain the highest concentration of actives.”
“Now’s the time to introduce skin rebooting actives into your routine.”
– No7 senior research scientist, Clare O’Connor
Skin Maths
To get your skin looking clearer, more plump and full of glow, get onto these three ingredients, says O’Connor.
Peptides
“They help improve the look of multiple signs of skin damage.”
No7 Future Renew Repair Serum, $67.99
Hyaluronic Acid
“I recommend a serum type product that contains different forms of hyaluronic acid to give skin instant hydration and a plumper look, with longer-lasting moisturisation.”
No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum, $54.99
Retinol
“Retinol is the gold standard ingredient for improving signs of photo-ageing. It is the most studied in terms of its effects on the sign sof skin ageing and works on both the epidermis and the dermis.”
No7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Night Concentrate, $67.99
No7 Skincare is the UK’s number one skincare brand. Available at Priceline now.
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