Colder temperatures, harsh winds, and the simple fact that we have to spend the majority of our time indoors with the heating on; there are many reasons that winter can have a toll on our skin.

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin or a combination of the two, each of these factors will have it begging for some extra hydration. Fortunately, there’s a few simple changes you can make to your skincare routine to restore your skin to its former glory!

So, with that in mind, here are our top 5 skincare tips for better skin this winter…

1. Pick a suitable moisturiser for your skin type

If your skin is dry all-year-round and you want to amp up your hydration in winter, opt for a cream moisturiser that has a thicker consistency and contains emollients (such as shea and cocoa butter), as well as squalene, urea, and/or hyaluronic acid (more on this later). Two of our favourites are the Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream and L’Occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream.

If your skin is oily or combination, however, using a thick moisturiser is just going to clog your pores (especially if you’re acne-prone)! Instead, choose hydrating formulas with a gel-texture; the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser are both great!

2. Add a hyaluronic acid serum

All skin types can become dehydrated when the colder weather hits, and hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients for dehydrated skin as it will help your skin to lock-in water from whichever products you layer on top of it. Additionally, as serums are able to penetrate deeper into the skin than moisturisers, you should be adding a hyaluronic acid serum into your routine.

Both the Glossier Super Bounce Hyaluronic Acid Serum, and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II are popular choices, but The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is also an affective and affordable option.

3. Exfoliate your skin often (but not too much)

If your skin is dry and flaking, then you should start regularly exfoliating to remove the build-up of dead skin cells. This not only makes your skin feel smoother (leading to better makeup application), but it will also help your skincare to absorb better and work more effectively. However, be careful not to overdo it; overexfoliation will just irritate your skin and make it drier.

As a general rule, chemical exfoliators (such as the Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme) can be used 2-3 times a week. However, a scrubby physical exfoliator (such as the Kiehl’s Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub) should be used just once or twice a week.

4. Don’t be afraid of face oils

Because dry skin naturally lacks oil (which is why it’s so parched), face oils are a great addition to your skincare routine if you do have this skin type. However, you don’t need to be scared of oils if your skin is combination or on the oilier side; using an oil can actually balance oil production and stop you producing too much of it!

For oily and combination skin, we recommend applying face oils with a lighter consistency at night, such as the Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil or Caudalie VineActiv Overnight Detox Oil. For dry or dehydrated skin, we recommend the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate or Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil.

5. Use a hydrating overnight face mask

Is your regular night time moisturiser no longer cutting the mustard now that the weather’s colder? Don’t change it; just layer a hydrating overnight face mask over the top to lock in extra moisture. In fact, these are particularly great as they tend to sink in quickly, and they’ll pack a bigger punch than a face mask that you use for just 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off.

Our top picks include the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Hydrating Overnight Masque, and the Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask.

For more skincare tips and product recommendations, check out The Unwritten Chapter on Pinterest!