Beauty Notes: Winter Skincare Heroes
This is your guide to the top 10 skincare essentials for winter.
Winter brings plenty of comforts: cosy nights in, self-care days, but dry, irritated skin isn’t one of them. As temperatures drop, your skin feels it first. Your skin barrier weakens, it becomes dehydrated and is more prone to redness and sensitivity. That’s why layering protective skincare is key. Once the chill sets in, it’s time to amp up your skincare routine: richer moisturisers, hydrating serums and nourishing oils will keep your skin soft, protected and glowing all season long. Think of your skincare routine as a team, with each product playing it’s own unique and crucial role.
From ESPA to Dermalogica, Estée Lauder to Lancôme, these are the brands worth investing in for the best skin regimen this winter.
Written By: Giuliana Biondi - Published 12.12.25
1. ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser
Let’s start with the basics: cleansers. As the season turns, it’s worth swapping foaming formulas for something more gentle - think milks, oils or balm-based products. These won’t strip away the natural oils your skin relies on in cooler temperatures. Look for soothing, hydrating ingredients like aloe, glycerin and hyaluronic acid; they'll leave your skin plump and radiant rather than dry and tight.
At the top of our list? ESPA’s Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser: a 3-in-1 cleanser, exfoliator and face mask. Enriched with natural fruit enzymes, jojoba spheres and essential oils, this multi-use cleanser gently buffs away dullness without drying the skin. The result: a brighter, smooth complexion and extra support for your skin’s moisture barrier. It’s the ideal first step to prepare your skin for better absorption of serums and moisturisers. When you’re done, rinse with warm water and a soft flannel for the most effective finish.
2. Dermalogica Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist
In winter, low humidity can really take its toll on our skin, which is why a little extra moisture goes a long way. This is where hydrating mists come in; they’re not just for summer. A spritz throughout the day can help keep your skin feel fresh and nourished. Seek out ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides to lock in hydration. If you have sensitive skin, opt for fragrance-free formulas for a gentle boost.
One of our favourites has to be Dermalogica’s Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist. Its nourishing formula works to strengthen your skin’s barrier, leaving it feeling soft, smooth and refreshed. With hydrating hyaluronic acid and barrier-boosting ceramides, it helps to smooth fine lines while locking in moisture, and calming rose water gently revives. Sandwich it between your cleanser and serum for a hydration boost or spritz over makeup throughout the day whenever your skin needs a little pick-me-up.
3. Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer
We all know SPF isn’t just for summer - it’s a must all year round. One simple skincare tip for winter? Look for products that already include it, so your skin stays protected without you having to think twice. A primer with SPF offers dual benefits: it shields your skin from those everyday UV rays while preparing your skin for makeup application. So, if you’re after a minimalist skincare routine, this is a product worth adding.
A top pick is Charlotte Tilbury’s Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer. This supersized 2-in-1 primer is packed with SPF 50, hyaluronic acid and pollution defence, making it a triple threat for priming, protecting and hydrating your skin. Not only does it provide essential daily UBA and UBV protection, but it also creates the perfect canvas for makeup. With its weightless, satin-smooth texture, it helps blur the look of pores and leaves the skin with a soft, dewy finish.
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4. Clarins Double Serum
When it comes to your winter beauty routine, layering is key. A hydrating serum should come in right after your cleanser and toner, but before your moisturiser, face oil and SPF. This step is essential because the serum helps lock in water, boost hydration and give your skin a healthy glow. It’s also great for brightening the complexion and prepping your skin so that every product that follows can absorb more effectively.
Winning “Icon of the Year” in 2024 at the WWD Beauty Inc Awards, Clarins’ Double Serum is one we can’t stop talking about. Rich and nourishing, it’s perfect for normal to dry skin in need of a hydration boost and a silky-smooth feel. Packed with 22 powerful plant extracts, it helps support the skin’s five vital functions, leaving your complexion looking radiant, smooth and refreshed. From visibly smoothing fine lines to boosting radiance and minimising pores, this serum is a true multitasker.
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5. Fresh Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Eye Cream
Cold winter air can be tough on the delicate skin around your eyes, which is why adding a hydrating eye treatment into your face care regimen is crucial for this time of year. The skin under your eyes is thinner and more prone to dryness or irritation in chilly weather. Keeping it moisturised helps smooth and plump the area, while also reducing dark circles. It’s a simple step for a brighter, well-cared for eye area.
A standout choice is the Fresh Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Eye Cream. Powered by BT Matrix™ with retinol-like strength, its blend of antioxidant-rich black tea and rambutan leaf extracts helps visibly smooth wrinkles and improve firmness. Ceramide NP works to strength the skin’s barrier, while wild ginger extract targets dark circles and vitamin C brightens the under-eye area. After cleansing, gently smooth it around your eye’s morning and night for a boost of hydration, leaving your eyes look refreshed and nourished.
6. La Mer The Lip Polish
How are you lips holding up this winter? If they’re feeling a little chapped, cracked or flaky, it might be time to show them some extra care with a gentle lip scrub. Exfoliating a couple of times a week can help remove any dryness and bring back that smooth, comfortable feeling. With just a bit of added care, your lips can stay soft and ready to take on the cold all season long.
An undeniable hero product is The Lip Polish by La Mer. This buffing balm gently refines uneven textures and hydrates dryness while conditioning the delicate skin. Its standout ingredients are algae extra and shea butter which provide vital nutrients and a protective skin barrier to your lips. It even comes with its own applicator, adding a touch of luxury to the ritual. The result is a soft, healthy-looking base that’s perfect for whatever you layer on next, from liner to gloss.
7. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Overnight Treatment
When refreshing your winter skincare, it’s definitely worth adding an overnight treatment into the mix. Think leave-on masks, face oils, rich night moisturisers - all the products that work quietly while you sleep. These formulas offer deep, long-lasting hydration and give your skin extra support during its natural overnight repair phase. With more time to sink in, the ingredients can get to work, helping counteract winter dryness and leave your skin feeling restored.
A must-try is the Advanced Night Repair Overnight Treatment by Estée Lauder. This leave-on formula works its magic while you sleep, offering triple-action recovery for tired winter skin. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid to plump moisture levels, lipids to help strengthen your skin barrier, and a boost of visible energy thanks to its silky, cocoon-like texture. Designed to recharge your complexion overnight, you’ll wake up looking brighter, smoother and more refreshed. It’s the kind of winter skin saviour you need for those chilly mornings.
8. Lancôme Rénergie C.R.X Triple Serum Retinol
Winter is one of the best times to introduce retinol, or gently increase your dose, thanks to the lower UV levels. With less sun exposure, there’s a reduced chance of the sensitivity and irritation retinol can cause sometimes. If you’re new to it, start slow: choose a lower percentage and use it just a few nights a week. As your skin settles in and builds tolerance, you can gradually dial things up. It’s all about easing your skin into the process for the best results.
A hero in our lineup is Lancôme’s Rénergie C.R.X Triple Serum Retinol. This clever tri-bend of pure retinol, pure vitamin C and X-peptides work together to gently smooth uneven tone and texture. It also softens discolouration and leaves your complexion looking brighter, calmer and more lifted. It’s one of those formulas that really earns its place in your routine.
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9. Guerlain Abeille Royale Scalp & Hair Youth-In-Oil Serum
During the winter months, cold, dry air can strip your hair of its natural moisture, leaving it frizzy, brittle and lacking its usual shine. The combination of indoor heating and hard winds can make hair feel particular fragile. An easy and effective way to combat this is with a nourishing hair oil serum. These lightweight treatments help lock in hydration, smooth the hair cuticle and add a touch of glossy softness. Used regularly, a good hair oil can transform winter strands into hair that feels silky and healthy.
A favourite is the Guerlain Abeille Royale Scalp & Hair Youth-In-Oil Serum. Composed of 97.7% naturally derived, nourishing ingredients, it works to revitalise the scalp and repair hair fibres with a non-greasy formula. Featuring the brand’s innovative Dynamic Blackbee Repair technology, actual black bee honey and royal jelly, it helps to triple the scalp’s vitality and strengthen hair follicles for visibly thicker and healthier-looking locks.
10. Creed Aventus For Her Hand & Body Lotion
No one wants dry skin in winter, which is why hand and body lotions quickly become indispensable. Your hands do a lot of work throughout the day (often more than you realise) so they deserve some extra TLC. The trick? Always apply lotion to damp skin, right after a shower or washing your hands, to lock in moisture. Opt for richer creams packed with nourishing ingredients, and say goodbye to dry, tight and cracked skin.
High on our radar is Creed’s Aventus For Her Hand & Body Lotion. Its blend of woody, fruity and floral notes make it easy to tell why it’s an eternal winter favourite for so many. Formulated for all skin types, it’s enriched with shea butter, aloe vera, ceramide NP and vitamin B5, which all work together to deeply nourished and silky-soft. Housed in a frosted glass bottle, it transforms everyday moisturising into a little self-care ritual.