9 winter skin care essentials to survive the season

If you're unsure of how to take care of your skin in winter, you're not alone.

With all of the seasonal skin care routine changes we're expected to make in winter it's difficult to streamline — especially when all we want to do is hibernate (read: rot) until the weather warms up to an appropriate temperature. 

So to make the shift a simple one, and in an effort to save us all from a collective headache, BEAUTYcrew's taken the liberty of narrowing down all of the products one needs in their holistic winter skin care routine to survive the coldest season of the year.

You'll be pleased to know that there are some products that didn't make the list, because we don't believe you need to play around with every step in your routine (after all, if it ain't broke...). So keep purifying your pores with the cleanser of your choice, apply an eye cream (if you already use one), and slather on lots of your favourite body moisturiser with wild abandon. 

As for the other steps in your routine? Well, we've got the skin on your face and body covered, and we've even nailed down a beauty supplement that supports your skin care routine too. 

Here, BEAUTYcrew rounds up the best winter skin care products to use in the cooler months.

The face mask: LuxeSticks Blueberry Acai Clay Stick

LuxeSticks Blueberry Acai Clay Stick 
from $35.99 at LuxeSticks

There's no better way to reset your complexion and prep your skin for a considered skin care routine than a face mask. This innovative masking stick boasts all the purifying benefits of a traditional clay mask, minus the mess. Simply swipe the blueberry, açaí, and Kakadu plum infused mask all over your face, leave it to dry for 10 to 15 minutes, rinse off and pat dry. The formula unclogs pores, hydrates, enhances radiance, smooths texture, and supports the skin's natural collagen production functions. 

Key features:

Infused with clay, blueberry, açaí, and Kakadu plum
Boosts moisture retention
Enhances radiance
Smooths texture
Supports the skin's natural collagen production functions

Available at:

• $35.99 from LuxeSticks

The Essence: SVR [B3] Hydra Essence

SVR [B3] Hydra Essence
from $33.39 at iHerb

Rather than applying a toner in winter, we like to optimise hydration levels in the skin with an essence instead, because it helps to enhance the penetration and efficacy of all the other products that we apply after it. This particular gel-in-lotion essence formula has been enriched with niacinamide to reinforce the functions of the skin's natural moisture barrier, as well as soothing sensitive, tight and dehydrated skin.

Key features:

Enriched with 2 per cent niacinamide
Unique gel-in-lotion texture
Reinforces the skin's natural moisture barrier
Soothes sensitive, dry and tight skin

Available at:

• $33.39 from iHerb
• $44.99 from Priceline
• $45 from Amazon Australia

The serum: Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum

Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum
from $165 at Rodan + Fields

Clinically tested on all skin types, this lightweight, oil-free and non-comedogenic serum utilises innovative self-adjusting hydration technology to draw moisture to the skin, enhancing the natural moisture reservoir on the skin's surface, and keeping the skin hydrated without overloading it. Used consistently this pick will smooth, plump and hydrate for an overall more youthful looking and feeling complexion. 

Key features:

Clinically tested on all skin types
Lightweight
Oil-free and non-comedogenic
Self-adjusting hydration technology
Enhances moisture retention without overloading the skin
Smooths and plumps skin

Available at:

• $165 from Rodan + Fields 

The moisturiser: Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Multipurpose Moisturiser

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Multipurpose Moisturiser
from $39.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Multipurpose Moisturiser is beloved by celebrities and makeup artists alike thanks to it's multipurpose formula. Makeup artist Pat McGrath uses the face cream as a primer to prep her client's skin for a full face of makeup, Lady Gaga uses it as a cold cream to remove hers, and beauty mogul Huda Kattan swears by the stuff for saving her skin when it's particularly dry. It contains a richly nourishing blend of moisturising agents and occlusives (shea butter, beeswax, aloe vera and soy proteins), which help to keep the skin hydrated and protect the skin's natural moisture barrier for up to 24 hours after application. 

Key features:

Enriched with shea butter, beeswax, aloe vera and soy proteins
Can be used as a face cream, makeup primer and makeup remover
Hydrates skin for up to 24 hours
Protects the skin's natural moisture barrier for up to 24 hours
Suitable for all skin types

Available at:

• $39.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $42.30 from Oz Hair & Beauty
• $47 from Adore Beauty

The facial oil: Synergie Skin LumiBalance

Synergie Skin LumiBalance
from $120 at Synergie Skin

If you're not usually a fan of facial oils, then we promise this will be the one that converts you. It's incredibly lightweight on the skin and it's been enriched with eight active ingredients — in short, it's a more nourishing alternative to your favourite 'everything' serum. It contains bakuchiol (a natural, no-irritation alternative to retinol), a calming lipid complex (blackcurrant seed oil and balloon vine extract), hydrating prickly pear seed oil, anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory marula oil, soothing argan oil, anti-inflammatory bisabolol, moisturising squalane, and anti-ageing and moisturising meadowfoam oil.

Key features

Bakuchiol, marula oil and meadowfoam oil address the signs of ageing
Black current seed oil and balloon vine extract calm skin
Prickly pear seed oil and squalane hydrate and moisturise
Argan oil and bisabolol soothe and promote healing
Lightweight, non-greasy texture

Available at:

• $120 from Synergie Skin

   

The SPF: The Answer Daily Ritual Face Cream

The Answer Daily Ritual Face Cream
from $49.95 at The Answer Skincare

Rather than adding another hydrating serum to your skin care routine, we suggest reaching for a richly formulated SPF instead (two birds, one stone...). This skincare-inspired sunscreen has been infused with vitamin C rich Kakadu plum and vitamin E, which target the first signs of ageing such as fine lines. Plus, with a non-greasy, matte finish it also wears well under makeup.

Key features:

Enriched with vitamin C rich Kakadu plum and vitamin E
Non-greasy
Matte finish
Lightweight
Fragrance-free
Doesn't sting eyes

Available at:

• $49.95 from The Answer Skincare

The multipurpose salve: Weleda Skin Food

Weleda Skin Food
from $10.50 at Priceline

Can't stand all those annoying dry patches that pop up during winter on your face, hands and elbows? This balmy-textured moisturiser is perfect for soothing and sealing dry skin with extracts of gentle viola tricolor, calendula and chamomile, in a rich, thick base of oils and beeswax. Plus, it's the perfect product for slugging (if you haven't tried that trend yet).

Key features:

Enriched with gentle and soothing viola tricolor, calendula and chamomile extracts
Thick base of oils and beeswax creates a balmy texture
Occlusive formula can be used to seal the skin or for slugging
Hydrates stubborn dry patches
Can be used all over the body

Available at:

• $10.50 from Priceline
• $17.50 from Adore Beauty
• $17.50 from Oz Hair & Beauty

The body treatment: The Booty Co Collagen Booty Mask

The Booty Co Collagen Booty Mask
from $49 at The Booty Co

Although this mask is technically intended to firm and refine the appearance of your booty, we say: why not share the love around? The formula has been enriched with a blend of pomegranate, pink clay, vitamin E, aloe vera leaf juice, and witch hazel, which work to purify, stimulate collagen, smooth texture and unify the complexion. Simply slather it all over your body 15 to 20 minutes before you hop in the shower to see an improvement in the appearance of your skin. 

Key features:

Contains pomegranate, pink clay, vitamin E, aloe vera leaf juice, and witch hazel
Purifies pores
Stimulates collagen
Smooths rough textured skin
Unifies the appearance of the complexion
Skin may appear flushed temporarily after use due to active ingredients

Available at:

• $49 from The Booty Co
• $49.99 from Priceline

The beauty supplement: SkinB5™ Clear Skin Superfood Booster Sachet

SkinB5™ Clear Skin Superfood Booster Sachet
from $27.95 at SkinB5

Keeping your skin hydrated on the outside is a whole lot easier in winter if you're taking a beauty supplement that enhances hydration from the inside. These superfood booster sachets contain marine bioactive collagen peptides, prebiotics, probiotics, enzymes, hemp protein, alkalising greens, super fruits, adaptogenic and immunity herbs to help address the skin's needs. Just a teaspoon of the ingestible powder boasts 400 per cent of the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C and 100 per cent of  the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin B5.

Key features:

Contains 63 super ingredients
Boosted with marine bioactive collagen peptides, prebiotics, probiotics, enzymes, hemp protein, alkalising greens, super fruits, adaptogenic and immunity herbs
One teaspoon of powder contains 400 per cent of the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C
One teaspoon of powder contains 100 per cent of the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin B5
Enhances skin health and vitality

Available at:

• $27.95 from SkinB5
• $27.95 from RY
• $27.95 from Look Fantastic

Main image credit: @shaninashaik

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