4 expert-approved cool season swaps to improve your hair and skin now

Small changes for big improvements

Beauty Crew Beauty Editor / June 04 2026

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During winter you may notice your skin and hair start to change, and not for the better. 

The lack of humidity in the air, plus the extra time spent indoors in rooms with the heating on full blast, can really take a toll on the moisture levels in your skin.

Not to mention every time you step outside you're faced with harsh conditions like bracing cold and winds of biblical proportions. 

So it's only natural that your beauty routine might have to change too in order to meet your skin and hair where it's at.

But if you're unsure where to start in the seasonal overhaul of your skin and hair care routines, then never fear, we've spoken to experts in the field Jaye Edwards (Founder of Edwards & Co and Jaye Haircare) and James Vivian (Dermal Clinician and Founder of Viviology Skincare) for some advice on the matter.

1/ Invest in a humidifier

Using a humidifier in your room is a great way to keep your skin hydrated while you sleep, says Vivian.

Investing in a quiet unit like Phillips' 2000 series ($195 from Bing Lee) during the cooler months can mean the difference between dry, uncomfortable skin and a hydrated, glowing complexion come morning. 

2/ Introduce a keratin treatment into your hair care routine

"We have seen a spike in Keratin Treatment appointments in the salon," Jaye Edwards tells BEAUTYcrew. "This treatment puts protein back into the hair, smoothing the hair cuticles which repairs damaged strands and decreases frizz, making the hair appear shinier."

"It's the perfect winter treatment as the colder weather makes our hair dryer, and frizzier due to the lack of humidity in the air," Edwards explains.

Luckily, there's a wealth of reputable keratin treatments you can try from the comfort of your own home like Olaplex's No.3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment ($60 from Sephora) and Ouai's Bond Repair Balm ($93 from Sephora).

3/ Switch up your cleanser

According to Dermal Clinician, James Vivian, when it comes to winter skin care there are a handful of thing to consider, which could help to contribute to a happier complexion come the cooler months.

"It's important to have your skincare routine down pat all year round, and it should be altered in winter to save your skin from the cold weather," he tells BEAUTYcrew. "This includes switching to an oil cleanser."

Our favourites include the indulgent Victoria Beckham Beauty The Daily Cleansing Protocol Oil Cleanser ($115 from MECCA), and K-Beauty finds like the Kendall Jenner-approved Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil ($36 from Sephora), and the viral Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil ($41.99 from Priceline).

They makeup light work of removing makeup in the evening, without stripping the skin, and then we follow up with a gentle cream cleanser as our second cleanse.

As for our morning routine? If our skin is feeling especially dry we skip cleanser altogether and spritz a toning face mist instead.

 

4/ Prioritise hydrating, strengthening and nourishing ingredients

"[Look] out for key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide," Vivian tells us. "Don't forget to use SPF daily, this is the same advice I give to clients during this time of year."

Using products that boast hydrating, strengthening and nourishing ingredients is how we take care of our skin in winter, because they help the skin's natural moisture barrier to function properly.

Our go-to products right now are Rationale's classic #1 The Strengthening Serum ($298 from Rationale) and RAESO's new Lunar Veil Chrono-Active Sleep Mask ($149 from Sephora). The pair have added an extra step to our morning and evening routines respectively but our skin is all the more hydrated, plump and calm for it. 

Main image credit: @jennierubyjane

Want more tips for updating your skin care routine? Here are 10 winter skincare steps five skin experts never skip.

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).

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