Sally Foran: My winter skin guide to soothe dryness, redness and irritation

From richer moisturisers and hydrating masks to nourishing facial oils, these are Beauty editor Sally Foran's simple routine changes to solve your winter skin woes

Beauty editor Sally Foran shares her winter beauty must-haves

If your skin feels drier, more sensitive, irritated and redder as temperatures drop, it may be time to rethink your routine.

Our skin is more easily damaged and more reactive in the winter months, and even our wrinkles can seem exacerbated, as sometimes our lines are actually dehydration lines. The first thing I notice is my lips become drier.

This is because cold temperatures and low humidity can increase moisture loss from the skin, while the use of central heating can make indoor air drier. Sudden changes in temperature may also trigger flushing, particularly in people prone to redness or rosacea. Those with skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis may find their symptoms worsen, but even otherwise healthy skin can become dry, flaky or irritated.

So, how can we tackle these winter skin woes? The key is to focus on hydrating, nourishing and protecting the skin while supporting its natural barrier.

Switch up your cleanser

Starting with cleansing, if you love your cleanser for its ‘squeaky clean’ results, that might be a sign it is removing your skins natural lipids and worsening dryness. Switch to a balm, oil or milk cleanser instead as these often contain little to no surfactants, reducing the potential to cause dry, irritated skin. I adore Doctrine’s Divinity Cleansing balm.

• €42, skinshop.ie

Zone in on hydration

2. Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Hydrator Mist,

Hydrating mists are going to be your skins best friend. One of my favourites is Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Hydrator Mist, €42, which I keep at my desk, in my car and in my handbag at all times. Hyaluronic acid likely needs no introduction, but just to remind you, it acts as a powerful humectant meaning it helps your skin attract and retain moisture.

To get maximum results, always ensure you use it on damp skin and seal in it with a moisturiser. Polyglutamic acid is another hydrating ingredient worth considering, and The INKEY List offers affordable options containing both. A twice weekly hydrating mask is ideal for an extra hydration hit, and I adore Ella and Jo’s Moisture Mask which is so effective my daughter constantly steals mine!

3. Ella & Jo The Miracle Mask

• €36, Meaghers Pharmacy

Consider a richer moisturiser

4. CeraVe Moisturising Cream,

With your moisturiser, look for ingredients that help hydrate the skin and support its barrier, including glycerin, ceramides, petrolatum, shea butter, squalane, urea, niacinamide and panthenol. CeraVe Moisturising Cream, which contains ceramides, is the one I reach for every winter.

• €19, Cloud10 Beauty

If you require that little bit extra in winter, consider applying occlusive ingredients over your moisturiser to seal in moisture such as Vaseline, lanolin or facial oil. Depending on the formulation, you can apply a facial oil before or after your moisturiser, or mix a few drops into your cream if the manufacturer recommends doing so. No prizes for guessing my favourite: Holos Anti-Ageing Facial Oil, €30, which I’ve used for eight years and counting.

For all-over body care, apply creams or oils to slightly damp skin to help lock in moisture, and avoid overly hot baths and showers. Bioderma, Aveeno and Eucerin all offer a fantastic range of body oils, balms and creams that my family and I swear by.

5. Holos Anti-Ageing Facial Oil

The delicate areas

The delicate skin around the eyes can be particularly prone to dryness and irritation during Winter. Bioderma’s Atoderm Intensive Eye is a long time favourite of mine that has rescued my irritated eyes on more occasions than I can remember! It works as both a gentle makeup remover and daily treatment for dry and irritated eyelids.

6. Bioderma’s Atoderm Intensive Eye 

• €22, Inish Pharmacy

The lips are also extra vulnerable to dehydration as they’re thinner and have less oil glands. During the day, I like to choose a lip balm with added SPF production. Solas Skin Lip Balm with SPF 30 is ideal.

€16.99, Phare Store

What about actives?

You may need to reduce or avoid the use of actives, especially if you find your skin is extra sensitive to them. You can switch to gentler alternatives, e.g. bakuchiol or peptides in place of retinol, Q10 or niacinamide in place of vitamin C and PHA instead of AHA’s and BHA’s.

And SPF?

7. No7 Future Renew Hand Cream with SPF

Sun protection still matters in winter. Clouds do not block all UV radiation, and exposure can contribute to premature skin ageing and skin damage. I rate The Skin Diary Age Defence Moisturising Day Cream with SPF 50.

• €110, Millies

Remember, our hands are just as exposed to the elements as our faces. Apply hand cream regularly, particularly after washing, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed hands during the day. I love No7 Future Renew Hand Cream with SPF.

• €22.99, Boots

Anything else?

8.Pharmaplus Omega 3 €19.99, McGorisks Pharmacy

If you don’t eat a lot of oily fish, nuts or seeds, an omega 3 supplement is incredibly effective as it’s known as your body’s internal moisturiser, keeping skin hydrated from the inside out. I love Pharmaplus Omega 3.

• €19.99, McGorisks Pharmacy

Finally, as Humidifiers add moisture to the air, they may be a good addition to your home during the winter months.

• Prices correct at time of print but subject to change