We are officially in the midst of winter. The romance of Christmas and excitement of the New Year has passed and we are now firmly in the middle of a cold, dark winter. Needless to say, this is not my favourite time of the year. With the icy temperatures and increasing use of central heating comes a whole host of skin ailments that suddenly seem to be oh so more apparent. From angry breakouts to a dull complexion and dry skin, the winter, for many of us, is not a friend to our skin. 

The best way to tackle this is a step-change in our skincare routines. Taking notice of the products that will be gentle on sensitised skin and those that will nourish and rehydrate effectively without feeling too rich. Re-examining my own skincare routine led me to examine 5 things which have helped me to adjust my routine to cater for the recent drop in temperatures.

Keep everyday essentials gentle

When your skin becomes sensitised, whether that's by the environment, the use of a product or just another reaction, it is always best to ensure that your everyday essentials (such as your cleansers) are as gentle as possible. The Fresh Soy Facial Cleanser is a very gentle, but very effective, gel cleanser that removes any residual oil or makeup from the face and can be removed with a warm damp flannel. Skin always feels softer and smoother after use, with rosewater and cucumber balancing and calming the skin. It's perfect as a morning cleanser or after you have removed your makeup. 

Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliating regularly is essential to keep skin looking radiant even in the coldest spells of the year. An exfoliating toner is my preferred way as I find that this is not as abrasive on the skin, it doesn't leave me with any redness and it's also much easier. A low-percentage glycolic acid is perfect for removing helping to ensure your skin is glowing. The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Solution, applied sparingly with a cotton pad, is my preferred way a few times a week. It exfoliates without being too harsh to drying out my skin. 

Include additional hydration

If your skin is dry and looking dehydrated then incorporating additional hydrating products into your routine will help to balance everything. A serum including hyualaronic acid will do wonders for dehydrated skin, helping it so feel smoother, look more hydrated and leave it feeling more comfortable. There are many avalible on the market but The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% is not only effective but also budget friendly so you don't need to spend a fortune to ensure your skin is hydrated. 

Keep hydration lightweight and comfortable

Just because the weather is colder does not mean that everything you use to hydrate your skin has to be heavy and rich. The Fresh Rose Hydrating Face Mask is the perfect way to keep your skin feeling comfortable and looking radiant, particuarly if you aren't a fan of heaby and rich creams. It's the ultimate overnight mask, sinking into the skin before your head hits the pillow but working it's magic throughout the night to leave your skin looking noticably healthier in the morning. Having a no makup day? Apply a layer after your morning skincare routine to get in some additional hydration. 

Take care of your lips

Lips are often the first areas of our faces that start to look dry and cracked. Not only does it not look the nicest but it also feel uncomfortable for your lips to be tight, dry and cracked. Lip balm is an essential for me all year round, but when it's colder outside it's always good to incorporate something more "heavy-duty" into your evening routine to apply before bed. The Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream is a classic, it has more uses than I can count but used as an intensive lip treatment it really does work magic. Within a few days my lips were smoother, more comfortable and looked like mine again. 

The spring may feel like a long way off for now but with some changes in your skincare at least you can ensure your skin looks good and feels beautiful throughout the winter season.