Transitioning Your Skincare Routine from Summer to Winter

Swap Out Your Moisturizer

If you don’t know where to begin with your transition, you can start by switching out your moisturizer. Naturally, you’ll sweat more in the summer than you do in the winter. I typically wear a lightweight oil-free moisturizer or a gel moisturizer.

I find that this helps my skin to breathe easier and helps prevent my pores from getting clogged. This gel moisturizer by Clinique is a cult favourite.

As the air gets cooler, I reach for heavier moisturizers. For a long time, my favourite winter moisturizer was this one by Ponds. It did the job and was thick enough to bear the windchill.

I’m currently back to using my old faithful moisturizer it is an absolute staple that everyone needs. It contains hyaluronic acid and is non-greasy, leaving your skin hydrated all day long. It is non-irritating making it perfect for problem and sensitive skin. Did I mention it’s under $12?!

Opt for a hydrating cleanser

For a while now I’ve turned away from using harsh cleansers and I have seen a huge improvement in how my skin feels post-cleansing. I used to use cleansers that addressed my skincare concerns (mostly acne-prone and dark spots) but found that they were very drying.

I now prefer a simple, hydrating cleanser and allow my serums to do the hard work. My current favourite is a drugstore find from CeraVe. It does the job without stripping my skin and doesn’t leave my face feeling tight.

Do not skip the SPF

There is a misconception that sun protection is only necessary for the summer and this is so wrong. SPF is essential all year round, regardless of the weather conditions. I wear sunscreen even on days when I’m just at home. The sun still comes through beaming from the windows!

Check out this blog post where I share some of my favourite sunscreens. All of which are dark skin-friendly, of course. Pay close attention to products that increase sun sensitivity. If you use vitamin c, AHAs and other products that increase sun sensitivity, you especially need to wear SPF daily.

Do not over exfoliate

With the elements being extra harsh in the winter, avoid over-exfoliating. The dead skin cells on the surface of our skin will naturally shed. It gets so tempting when your skin feels flakey to up your exfoliation game.

Instead, increase your hydration: drink water, lather up on moisturizer and incorporate hyaluronic acid into your morning and night routine.

There are a ton of great options out there for hyaluronic acid but I’m happy with this one from The Ordinary. It’s less than $7 and you really can’t go wrong with that!

I find it so hard to drink lots of water in the colder months because I don’t feel thirsty. There is no sun or heat to trigger that need for water so I constantly have to remind myself to stay hydrated.

I always keep a big glass of water by my desk and aim to drink at least three glasses during my workday.

If you follow me on Instagram you’d also know that I recently shared that I’m trying out Shiseido’s Power Infusing Concentrate serum. It goes on light and silky smooth! This serum is intended to help brave your skin from environmental factors and daily stress.

Declutter and do an inventory of your products

I am constantly buying new products or receiving PR packages that I lose track of what I have. If a product isn’t working for me after several tries, I immediately get rid of it. I try to maintain a collection of products that my skin enjoys and that I actually use.

Pay attention to the expiry dates of your products. Depending on the ingredients, most have a very short shelf life once opened. I’ve fallen victim to using expired products once or twice! But in all honesty, if you are only keeping in-stock products that you regularly use, chances are you will use them up before they even expire.