Winter Skincare Routine & Aftercare

Why your skin’s behaviour changes in winter—and how to adapt it with expert care

When the colder months arrive, our skin faces a very different set of challenges: indoor heating, cold wind, low humidity, and often less sun (which paradoxically doesn’t always mean less UV exposure).

At PURE Holistic Beauty, we’ve worked for over 28 years in skin health, and I want to share how you can protect, revive and maintain your skin through winter at our Netley location.

What happens to our skin in winter?

• Reduced humidity ► Cold outdoor air holds less moisture, indoor heating strips moisture from the skin surface, leading to dryness, flakiness, tightness, and even cracking.

• Barrier disruption ► The skin’s lipid barrier becomes more vulnerable. Without adequate protection and nourishment, you may experience increased sensitivity, redness, or even compromised healing (important if you’ve had treatments).

• Slower cell turnover & duller tone ► The lack of vibrant circulation and reduced daylight hours can leave the skin looking less luminous.

• Hidden UV risk ► Even in winter, UV rays contribute to pigmentation and premature ageing. If you’ve had blemish-removal treatments (see our blog on that) you still need excellent protection.

• More indoor irritants ► Heating systems, central heating, hot showers—all elevate irritation potential and can aggravate conditions like rosacea, eczema, or flaky patches.

A smart winter skincare routine: step-by-step

Below is a routine framework. Because we specialise in tailored treatments, you’ll always benefit from having your skin assessed in person, but this gives you a strong foundation.

 

1. Gentle cleanse

Switch to a mild, non-foaming cleanser in the morning and night. Over-cleansing or harsh scrubs will worsen the barrier damage already happening. Aim for something that removes dirt and makeup without stripping.

Avoid harsh cleansers — opt for barrier-supportive formulas.

Recommended:

• Eve Taylor Soothing Cleanser — calming & protects delicate skin
• Environ Mild Cleansing Lotion — gentle everyday cleanser for all skin types

2. Protect & repair the barrier

After cleansing, apply a serum rich in ceramides, fatty acids or niacinamide. These help rebuild the barrier from within. At PURE, we often recommend treatments and products that repair and strengthen—not just superficially cleanse.

Then follow with a richer, nourishing moisturiser. In winter, you may want to use a cream rather than a gel-formulator. If you’ve had advanced treatments (such as electrolysis, laser, microneedling), ensuring you have a calm, protected skin barrier is essential for recovery.

2. Strengthen the Skin Barrier

Focus on calming, healing, lipid-rich products.

Recommended:

• Eve Taylor Soothing Moisture Cream — barrier repair for sensitive skin
• Environ HA Intensive Hydrating Serum — deep hydration & plumping
• Environ Vita-Peptide C-Quence Serum — for advanced anti-ageing & repair

Hydrate + Nourish

Winter = richer textures & layers.

Recommended:

• Eve Taylor Nourishing Night Cream — comforting & replenishing
• Environ Super Moisturiser — essential moisture & barrier support

3. SPF is non-negotiable

Even though it’s colder and cloudier, the sun still affects your skin. If you’ve had pigmentation treatments or blemish-removal work, one of our earlier blog posts “The Ultimate Guide to SPF Blind Spots” covers this in depth but suffice to say: broad-spectrum SPF daily (even when indoors near windows) is crucial.

SPF Daily

Yes — even in winter. UV still causes pigmentation & ageing.

Recommended:

• Environ RAD Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF15 — antioxidant protection + SPF

4. Weekly gentle exfoliation

Winter is not the time for aggressive peels or heavy resurfacing—unless you’ve been recommended one by your skincare professional. Instead, a mild exfoliant (enzyme-based or mild AHA) once a week helps maintain radiance without compromising the barrier. At PURE we often combine this with a hydrating mask in our bespoke facial treatments.

Weekly Mild Exfoliation

Avoid stripping scrubs — choose gentle resurfacing.

Recommended:

• Eve Taylor Enzyme Peel — smooths without irritation
• Environ Mild Exfoliating Clay Mask — clarifies & refines

5. Add targeted treatments

• Hydrating masks: Use one-to-two times per week. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, plant oils.
• Antioxidant serums: Vitamin C (or stabilised forms) can help counteract free-radical stress from cold, wind, indoor heating.
• Barrier-boosting oils: At night consider adding a plant oil (rosehip, jojoba, marula) to lock in moisture.
• Treatment support: If you’ve had advanced therapies (for blemish removal, pigmentation, laser) you’ll benefit from our “Aftercare Tips for Blemish Removal” blog. Supporting your skin’s health through winter makes a real difference.

6. Lifestyle & wellness support

Your skin health reflects your internal health. In winter:

• Stay hydrated (yes—even in cold weather)
• Use a humidifier if your heating is strong
• Avoid very hot showers which strip oils
• Get a good night’s sleep—growth and repair happen mostly overnight
• Consider holistic facials, which we specialise in—see our article “The Benefits of Holistic Facials vs Traditional Facials” that explores how a holistic approach supports long-term skin health.

 

Aftercare: How to look after your skin post-treatment in winter

If you’ve recently had one of our advanced treatments at Pure (for example, laser or advanced electrolysis) winter presents special aftercare considerations:

• Avoid harsh conditions: Cold winds and central heating can both stress healing skin, so protect your skin outside with a scarf and inside avoid sitting directly in front of heating vents and fires.
• Stick to post-treatment products: We will recommend specific creams/serums—don’t swap them out too early.
• Delay intensive resurfacing: Unless cleared by your therapist, hold off on strong peels or micro-dermabrasion until the skin is fully stable.
• Moisture is vital: Protecting the newly treated area with a rich emollient helps reduce scabbing, minimise downtime and support better healing.
• SPF and pigment risks: Some post-treatment skin is more vulnerable to pigmentation, so don’t be tempted to skip your SPF simply because it’s winter.
• Book your follow-up: At PURE, we always encourage check-ups for your treated skin. This is especially helpful in winter when healing can feel slower, and we can adjust treatments accordingly.

 

Why choose PURE Holistic Beauty for your winter skincare & aftercare?

With over 28 years’ experience and having won “Local Salon of the Year 2024”, we are committed to client-centred, results-driven skin care in a private, tranquil setting.

My location Netley, Southampton, make access easy, and our holistic core means we’re as interested in your whole well-being as just your skin surface.

Quick winter skincare “cheat sheet” for clients

Step	Morning	Evening
Cleanse	Gentle non-foaming	Same cleanser or a richer cream cleanser
Serum	Barrier-repair + antioxidant	Hydrating serum + optional facial oil
Moisturiser	Richer cream, patience for absorption	Rich cream or sleeping mask
SPF	Broad-spectrum daily (and reapply if outdoors)	Not needed unless you use peel/resurfacing — check with us
Weekly	Enzyme exfoliant + hydrating mask	Skip the exfoliant if skin is irritated — mask only
Lifestyle	Drink 1.5 L water, humidify indoors	Remove makeup promptly, avoid hot showers that strip oils

Ready for glowing, protected winter skin?

Book your seasonal skin consultation or facial:

✨ PURE Holistic Beauty — Netley Abbey, Southampton

📞 Contact us 07387 003 503

💆‍♀️ Specialist in holistic skin treatments & advanced blemish removal

Winter skin can be your best skin — with the right support. 

As a skin specialist based in Netley Abbey, I support clients across Southampton, Hamble, Bursledon, Hedge End, Fareham, and Portsmouth.

If you’re looking for expert winter skincare, holistic facials, or blemish removal in the local area, you’re in the right place.