If you’re struggling with dry, dull skin right now, you’re definitely not alone! Winter weather is well known for wreaking havoc with our skin, from the cold air, to the harsh winds, to dryness caused by spending time in heated rooms.

But not to worry – with a few tweaks to your winter skin care routine, you can keep your skin healthy, happy, and super moisturized during the cold months.

1. Exfoliate Regularly

When the weather turns chilly, the combo of freezing air outside and moisture-sapping dry heat indoors causes your skin to become dry. Exfoliating helps to rid the skin of those dead cells that cause your skin to look flaky and dull, and also allows your moisturizers to be more effective, since they need to be able to penetrate the skin to actually work. Experts recommend exfoliating 1-3 times per week during the winter months. Look for gentle scrubs made with natural exfoliants.

Our Favourites:

Derma E Exfoliating Scrub with Fruit Enzymes and Dead Sea Salt, Skin Essence Organics Facial in a Jar, Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Pearl Exfoliator

2.  Swap Out Your Gel Cleansers for Cream and Oil-Based Formulas

Gel cleansers are a great refreshing, lightweight option in the warm months, but as the weather changes, they can exacerbate dryness. The solution? Switch out your cleanser for a cream or oil based formula, which help to add moisture back to parched skin.

Our Favourites:

Dr. Hauschka Soothing Cleansing Milk, Andalou Naturals Meyer Lemon Creamy Cleanser, Matter Exfoliating Cream Cleanser, Cocoon Apothecary Petal Purity Facial Cleanser, MyChelle Dermaceuticals Creamy Pumpkin Cleanser

3. Tone Up

If you’ve never used a toner before, it may be time to consider starting! The 2nd step of the ever-popular 3-step daily skin care routine, toners help to balance your skin and remove any impurities, dirt, or residue that your cleanser may have left behind – especially the ultra rich cleansers we switch to in the cooler months. Look for formulas that help help to hydrate skin and are packed with skin-boosting nutrients.

Our Favourites:

Burt’s Bees Rosewater Toner, Andalou Naturals Blossom + Leaf Toning Refresher, Cocoon Apothecary Orange Blossom Facial Toner, Thayers Cucumber Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Alcohol-Free Toner, Derma E Evenly Radiant Brightening Toner with Vitamin C

4. Add a Moisturizing Serum

Slathering on both a serum and moisturizer daily might be too much in the warm months, but a hydrating serum is a fantastic addition to your skin care regimen in the winter. Serums are easily absorbed into your skin, so apply it to clean skin after washing and before moisturizer to lock in moisture.

Our Favourites:

Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Moroccan Beauty Oil, Derma E Hydrating Serum, Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum, Burt’s Bees Radiance Serum

5. Moisturize!

This one’s obvious, but it’s absolutely essential. Even if you’re someone who doesn’t moisturize daily during the summer, make sure that you’re you’re using a super hydrating moisturizer every day and a hydrating mask once a week during the winter to keep your skin soft and healthy.

Our Favourites:

Andalou Naturals Avo Cocoa Skin Food Mask, Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Treatment Mask, Derma E Night Creme, Dr. Hauschka Hydrating Mask

6. Don’t Ignore The Rest of Your Body

We always spend a lot of time thinking about our facial skin care routine (after all, who doesn’t want to put their best face forward?) but the skin on the rest of your body shouldn’t be an afterthought! Keep it in top shape by applying a with rich, hydrating body butters, lotions, or oils after you hop out of the shower to seal in moisture, and keep your favourite hand cream in your bag or purse to prevent scaly winter digits.

Our Favourites:

Andalou Naturals Kukui Cocoa Nourishing Body Butter, Cake Beauty Inca Oil Cleansing and Rejuvenating Shower Oil, Derma E Vitamin E Intensive Therapy Body Lotion, Parkdale Butter CocoaNut Body Butter, Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Body Oil