Keep Your Summer Glow All Winter: Top Tips for Radiant Skin

That post-holiday radiance is something we all wish we could bottle. During the summer, the combination of humidity, natural Vitamin D, and a relaxed outdoor lifestyle gives our skin a natural, dewy luminosity. However, as the mercury drops and the central heating turns up, that "lit-from-within" look often gives way to dullness, flakiness, and irritation.

The transition into winter doesn’t have to mean the end of your glow. By adjusting your skincare rituals and focusing on moisture retention and circulation, you can maintain a vibrant complexion throughout the frostiest months. Here is our comprehensive guide to keeping your summer glow alive this winter.

As the nights draw in and the temperature plummets, our natural thirst response often diminishes. We swap refreshing glasses of water for endless cups of dehydrating coffee. However, skin cells are comprised mostly of water; when you are dehydrated, your skin looks flat and fine lines appear more pronounced.

• The Herbal Solution: If ice-cold water feels unappealing, switch to warming herbal teas. Rooibos, chamomile, and ginger teas provide hydration alongside antioxidants that fight oxidative stress.

• The "Eat Your Water" Strategy: Incorporate water-rich foods into your winter diet. Seasonal produce like oranges, pears, and cooked squash contribute to your overall hydration levels while providing essential vitamins for skin barrier repair.

Winter air is harsh, but indoor environments can be just as taxing. Dust, soot from fireplaces, and heavy winter creams can clog pores. To maintain a glow, you must clean your skin without stripping its natural oils. This is where an oil-based cleanser becomes your most vital tool.

Unlike foaming cleansers that leave your face feeling "tight" and stripped, an oil cleanser binds to surface impurities and makeup, dissolving them gently.

• Step One: Apply an oil cleanser to dry skin. Massage it in to break down SPF and daily grime.

• Step Two: Follow with a gentle cream or water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue.

• The Muslin Cloth Trick: Always use a warm, damp muslin cloth for removal. The texture provides a very mild physical exfoliation, sloughing off dead skin cells that cause winter dullness without the irritation of harsh scrubs.

In the summer, a light moisturiser might suffice. In the winter, your skin needs layers. Think of your winter skincare routine like your winter wardrobe: you need a base layer (serum), an insulating layer (moisturiser), and an outer shell (oil).

A hydrating serum containing Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is essential. HA is a humectant that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a gold-standard ingredient for plumping dry skin.

Expert Tip: Always apply your HA serum to slightly damp skin. If applied to bone-dry skin in a heated room, the molecule may pull moisture out of your skin. Applying it to damp skin gives the HA the water it needs to lock in instant hydration.

One of the biggest mistakes in cold-weather skincare is skipping face oil. While serums hydrate (add water), oils nourish (add lipids) and create a protective seal. This prevents Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)—the process where dry winter air evaporates the moisture from your epidermis.

A Mindful Evening Ritual: Take a moment each evening to turn your skincare into a therapeutic practice. Warm 3–4 drops of a nutrient-rich oil (like Argan or Rosehip) in your palms. Cup your hands over your nose and take three deep breaths. This calms the nervous system, reducing cortisol levels that can lead to winter breakouts.

When applying the oil, use firm circular motions, moving from the center of the face outward toward the ears. This encourages lymphatic drainage and ensures the nutrients are pressed deep into the skin.

If your skin looks "gray" or tired, it’s likely due to sluggish circulation. Cold weather constricts blood vessels, meaning fewer nutrients reach the surface of your skin. Using a Jade or Rose Quartz face roller is a mechanical way to "wake up" your complexion.

• The Large End: Use this for the cheeks, jawline, and forehead. Always roll upward and outward. This "lifts" the face and moves fluid toward the lymph nodes to reduce puffiness.

• The Small End: Perfect for the delicate under-eye area. Rolling here helps diminish dark circles often exacerbated by winter fatigue.

• The Result: Increased blood flow brings fresh oxygen to the surface, creating a natural, rosy flush that mimics a brisk summer walk.