The plummeting temperature and icy wind can steal skin’s luminosity, but there are ways to get that healthy glowy skin back. From how to switch up your beauty routine to the essential radiance-boosting skincare and glowy makeup products, Beauty Director Alessandra Steinherr shares the secrets to fast-tracking a dewy, winter glow despite the season’s cold bite. 

Let’s start by asking the question – what is glowy skin? Essentially, it is skin that reflects light and to do that it needs to be both hydrated and smooth. In winter, there are lots of challenges for our skin, which means that this hydration and smoothness can prove elusive. The constant temperature adjustment from the biting cold outside to the warmth indoors and back again is one of the most stressful triggers for our complexion, leaving it tight, uncomfortable and dry. 

It’s also the season when we tend to spend a lot more time inside, where there’s little-to-no humidity in the air – once the central heating is on at home, it sucks out all the moisture. So regardless of what skin type you are, when you wake up in the morning, your skin is more likely to feel parched and dry, and it’s this dehydration which is also stealing your glow. 

There are, however, a few little tips and tricks that can turn the winter dullness around. Firstly, it may sound obvious, but make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. But also, if you’re someone who really suffers from dehydration, try to sleep with a humidifier next to your side of the bed – Dyson does great ones. It really does make a difference, especially if the heating is on. In terms of skincare, look for products that contain a mix of humectants, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, to hydrate skin; emollients such as shea butter and ceramides to soften; and occlusives like lanolin and petroleum jelly to lock in moisture and prevent trans-epidermal water loss.