OUR EXPERT TIPS ON HOW TO LOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST THIS WINTER
Winter has officially arrived and with that means the resurgence of dry skin, patchy makeup and the consistent runny nose. Unlike Summer, the colder and darker Winter season not only means a change in what outfits we’re wearing (hello woolly jumpers and cashmere and goodbye linen and lace), it also means changing how we look after our wellbeing and what we use in our skincare and makeup repertoire.
But what exactly should you be changing? What rituals and products should you add into your rotation to ensure we feel happier and healthier this season? Well, we sat down with Cult Beauty Makeup Artist Kimi Nguyen Cult Beauty’s in-house doctor Dr. Ishrat Ahmed, sleep consultant Dr Anand Sudhair Singh, ENT surgeon Dr Ravinder Natt, psychologists Dr Sarah Jane Khalid and Dr Vanessa Pilkington and GPs Dr Suhail Hussain and Dr Nikki Ramskill all verified on Doctify (the online platform that allows patients to find, review and book appointments with healthcare professionals online), to learn more about what we can do to look and feel better this Winter.
In This Article:
- What Does A Good Wellness Routine Look Like
- What Are Common Skin And Body Concerns Over Winter And How Do We Prevent Them
- Kimi’s Tips For Winter Approved Makeup
- Mind and Mood: How To Help Yourself Feel Better This Winter
WHAT DOES A GOOD WELLNESS ROUTINE LOOK LIKE
“Shaping a good routine is really important to reduce stress, increase wellness and improve focus.” explains Dr Ishrat. “I would recommend waking up and going to bed at the same time every day. Having this type of routine makes most people feel more in control of their day. Once you’re up, drink a glass of water and avoid looking at your phone for at least 10 minutes. Focus on your breathing and maybe try a short meditation. This will help you to focus on mindfulness, focus on the present and feel relaxed – all helping to reduce your cortisol levels. I’d also recommend eating a balanced breakfast and drinking one cup of coffee.” she explains. “Movement is also incredibly important. It increases dopamine, reduces stress and cortisol. I would suggest doing a form of exercise you enjoy like the gym, yoga or even a brisk walk two hours before bedtime. To help you relax before bed, dimming the lights in your room, reducing screen time and having a warm shower all help to increase your natural sleep hormone – melatonin.”
And if we wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep?
“Sleep is the most powerful tool we have for improving our energy in winter,” explains sleep consultant Dr Anand Singh, “During the colder months, creating a sleep schedule with regular bed and wake-up times — even on weekends — helps regulate your circadian rhythm.” He also suggests keeping your bedroom cool, avoiding screens 30 minutes before bed and investing in blackout curtains or a SAD lamp. “Temperature and light exposure are two of the most common but overlooked disruptors of sleep.”
ENT surgeon Dr Ravinder Natt adds: “Early morning sunlight is especially beneficial for resetting your body clock and boosting serotonin. When it’s grey outside, try sitting by a window or using light therapy — it can make a big difference to your energy and mood.”
And for those struggling with low mood or motivation in winter, psychologist Dr Sarah Jane Khalid says, “Good sleep hygiene, movement, and exposure to light aren’t just physical health habits — they’re foundational for mental wellbeing. Think of them as part of your self-care routine, not an afterthought.”
WHAT ARE COMMON SKIN AND BODY CONCERNS OVER WINTER AND HOW DO WE PREVENT THEM
With cold air, a drop in humidity and the constant transition from warm offices and homes into the cold outdoors means normally healthy skin is left feeling dry and dehydrated. To help combat this, Dr Ishrat suggests using hydrating formulas that contain urea and ceramides. “Hydrating cleansers that are oil based, hydrating toners and soothing serums containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides are better to use over Winter because they act as humectants to lock in moisture and offer barrier support to protect your skin’s lipid layer.” she explains. Together, a skin care routine that’s powered by nourishing ingredients will replenish moisture loss, strengthen your skin barrier, reduce redness and help your moisturiser lock in all your hydrating hard work.
Cosmetic doctor Dr Jennifer Doyle says, “If you’re only going to change one thing in your skincare routine for winter, make it your moisturiser. Switch to a richer, barrier-repairing formula with ceramides, fatty acids or squalane — it’s essentially your skin’s winter coat.”
She also recommends incorporating ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier and retain moisture, such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. “In cold, dry conditions, our skin’s ability to hold on to water decreases. A nourishing routine helps to seal in hydration, reduce inflammation, and maintain that healthy glow.”
As for ingredients to use cautiously in winter? “Strong exfoliating acids and alcohol-based toners can dehydrate the skin further,” she warns.
And finally, don’t forget to apply SPF. “People still need to use sunscreen over winter because it still protects against skin cancer and significantly reduces signs of skin ageing. UV rays are still present over winter even when the sun doesn’t appear to be shining, so you should use as much SPF on your face in winter as you do in summer.” finishes Dr Ishrat.
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But dry skin isn’t just on your face. With the constant washing of hands and the multi-layers of clothes, the skin on our bodies is also at risk of suffering from dehydration. To help combat this, Dr Ishrat suggest using a hydrating body wash or a shower oil. “Soft wash cloths are also great but try not to let the water get too hot in the shower. Applying a body lotion on damp skin is also better after the shower than apply on completely dry skin. You can be as generous as you like and you should ideally be moisturising your body twice a day.”
“Skincare needs to adapt to the season,” says Dr Doyle. “What worked in summer — like lightweight gels or exfoliating acids — might not support the skin barrier in winter. Richer body creams, barrier-repairing ingredients, and even small lifestyle changes like using a humidifier or drinking more water can make a visible difference.”
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KIMI’S TIPS FOR WINTER APPROVED MAKEUP
“Skin prep is so important when it comes to long-lasting winter makeup,” explains Cult Beauty MUA Kimi. Before you even pick up a makeup brush, it’s worth understanding your skin type and texture, then building a skin care routine that supports your complexion through the colder months. Once your base is prepped and perfected, it’s time to apply your makeup with intention. Below, Kimi shares her expert winter-approved tips to help your makeup stay fresh, radiant and comfortable all day long.
1. How to prevent foundation looking cakey:
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2. How to hide dark circles:
Colour correcting. Seems tedious, but it really makes a difference in terms of brightening the undereye. It also eliminates the amount of concealer you use, and in return helps with makeup not sitting into fine lines and wrinkles.
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3. How to stop makeup settling into fine lines
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4. How to stop makeup coming off if you have a runny nose
Use a dabbing motion vs a wiping motion with a runny nose. As for a specific product, I would also recommend a setting spray and I wouldn't powder over the nose area. This way you're still able to do liquid touch-ups throughout the day without disrupting your base.
5. How to stop your eye makeup running if you have watery eyes
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6. How to prevent makeup from transferring on turtlenecks/coats and scarves
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MIND AND MOOD: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF FEEL BETTER THIS WINTER
“The lack of natural light in winter can lower serotonin and increase feelings of fatigue and sadness,” says psychologist Dr Sarah Jane Khalid . “To counter this, maximise morning light exposure — even 15 minutes by a window can help reset your body clock.”
Fellow psychologist Dr Vanessa Pilkington adds, “It’s common to feel less motivated and more withdrawn when evenings get darker. Maintaining social connections, keeping consistent mealtimes and practising mindfulness or yoga can all help lift your mood.”
GP Dr Suhail Hussain recommends a holistic approach to energy and immunity: “Stay active, eat balanced meals with seasonal produce and consider supplements such as vitamin D and B12 if you’re feeling low or fatigued. Small, consistent habits make a big difference.”
So, what does this all mean? In short, winter doesn’t have to bring dull complexions, patchy makeup or low energy. By embracing a mindful wellness routine, nourishing your skin with hydrating, barrier-supporting formulas and adapting your makeup techniques to the season, you can stay radiant, comfortable and confident all winter long. Now, light that candle, run a bubble bath and prioritise those eight hours of sleep — after all, we spend around 25 years of our lives doing it… so we may as well make it count.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
