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Does your skin throw a tantrum the second the temperature drops? Mine does. Few things knock your confidence faster than waking up to tight, flaky patches or irritated redness that refuses to settle. Add in central heating, icy winds, and a lack of sunlight, and suddenly you’ve got dullness, dryness, and breakouts all at once. Welcome to The Winter Arc, where your skin needs a little extra TLC to keep up.
That’s where this winter skin care guide comes in. I’ve pulled together the exact routine (and the products I swear by) that transformed my own dry, dehydrated, easily-irritated skin.
These are practical, affordable, and designed to keep your barrier strong, your glow visible, and your confidence intact, without 15 complicated steps or gimmicky trends.
In this post, we’ll cover a full routine: gentle cleansing, deep hydration, rich moisturising, targeted treatments, and year-round protection.
I’ll share my must-have products (spoiler: Nip+Fab and Beauty of Joseon saved my skin), plus how to slot skincare into your wider Winter ARC Glow Up so it becomes part of your lifestyle, not just an afterthought.
A Quick Note Before We Begin
I’m not a dermatologist or skincare expert, this isn’t medical advice. What I’m sharing here is based on my own experience and the products that have genuinely worked for my skin type at 35.
My skin is the polar opposite of oily, it’s so dry it feels like it doesn’t produce a single drop of oil. Think cracked desert ground in January.
I’ve never struggled with acne, so if that’s your main concern, this routine might not be right for you. But if your skin is tight, flaky, and constantly begging for hydration, these tips could be a game-changer.
What to Avoid If You’ve Got Dry or Sensitive Skin
Here’s the thing: it’s not just about what you use, it’s also about what you don’t. If your skin is sensitive or dry like mine, some products can make things worse instead of better.
- Harsh foaming cleansers: these strip away what little moisture you have.
- Strong retinols: brilliant for some, but too aggressive for already-irritated, thirsty skin. Instead, I lean on peptides (like the Nip+Fab Peptide Fix Finishing Oil) which support the skin barrier without the side effects.
- Heavy scrubs: physical exfoliators can cause micro-tears and worsen redness. Gentle chemical exfoliants or hydrating masks are kinder.
- High-alcohol toners: these dry your skin even more and undo the benefits of your moisturisers.
The Winter Arc isn’t the time to go hardcore with aggressive actives, it’s the time to repair, hydrate, and nourish.
Step 1: Gentle, Hydrating Cleansing
The first rule of winter skin care? Don’t strip your skin. Harsh foaming cleansers can wreck your barrier, leaving you tight, itchy, and prone to breakouts.
Instead, go for cleansers that balance clearing impurities with adding hydration.
- Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Gel Cleanser: brilliant for keeping pores clear without making dry skin angrier.
These slot easily into your winter arc schedule, use morning and night for a clean, calm base.
Step 2: Deep Hydration Layer
Once your skin is clean, hydration is non-negotiable. Winter air is dry, and your skin barrier struggles to hold onto water. That’s where serums and toners come in.
- Nip + Fab Hyaluronic Fix Extreme 4: a quick-drying serum that plumps and quenches thirsty skin.
- Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water: a soothing toner that helps dull, tight skin bounce back.
These products give you that glowing skincare look, hydrated, plump, and fresh. Think of them as the foundations of your winter arc glow up.
Step 3: Lock in Moisture with Creams & Oils
Hydration evaporates fast if you don’t lock it in. This is where richer creams and oils become your winter skin saviours.
- Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream: my holy grail for irritated winter skin. Thick enough to protect, but never greasy.
- Nip+Fab Peptide Fix Finishing Oil: seals everything in and supports your barrier for long-term resilience. Plus it literally tells your skin to produce more collagen.
Add these to your winter arc checklist, non-negotiables for stopping dryness in its tracks.
Step 4: Weekly Treatments for Extra Glow
Sometimes daily hydration isn’t enough, especially if your skin feels dull or flaky. Weekly treatments are where you can level up.
- Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Pore Refreshing Mask: gentle exfoliation that doesn’t leave you red and raw.
- BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Mask: an overnight hydrogel mask that drenches your skin in hydration while you sleep.
Think of these as mini rituals for your skin.
Step 5: Non-Negotiable SPF Protection
Don’t be fooled by gloomy skies. UV rays still hit your skin in winter, accelerating ageing and dulling your glow. SPF is a year-round must.
- Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen SPF 40: moisturising, protective, and with a natural tint for confidence on no-makeup days.
It’s the step most women skip in The Winter Arc, but it’s also the one that protects all your hard work. Pop it in your winter arc plan and make it as routine as brushing your teeth.
Step 6: Feed Your Skin From the Inside
Winter skin care isn’t just about what you put on your skin, it’s about what you fuel it with, too.
When your diet is beige (toast, biscuits, pasta on repeat), your skin shows it. For that hydrated, glowing skincare look, you need to nourish from the inside out.
Here’s what makes a difference:
- Healthy fats: Avocados, chia seeds, and olive oil help your skin hold onto moisture.
- Protein: Essential for repair and renewal, think lean meats, beans, and eggs.
- Vitamin C: Citrus, peppers, and berries support collagen and fight dullness.
- Vitamin D: Harder to get in The Winter Arc, so consider a supplement to support skin health and overall mood.
- Water & herbal teas: Hydration isn’t optional. Dehydration makes dry skin worse.
Building these into your winter arc plan also doubles up as health habits that keep your energy, mood, and skin happy. For more detail, check out Winter Health Tips: Stay Strong, Happy & Energised All Season.
Skincare as Part of a Winter ARC Glow Up
Good skin care isn’t just about products, it’s a confidence ritual. When you look after your skin, you feel more put-together, even on grey, sluggish days.
It’s the perfect example of winter arc rules women actually benefit from: small steps that build confidence over time.
Try linking your routine to other glow up habits:
- Journal prompts for winter arc while your mask sets.
- Winter arc affirmations as you apply your serum.
- Track progress in your self care bullet journal or winter arc checklist.
This way, skincare becomes part of your wider winter routine aesthetic—not just another chore. For the full picture, see Winter ARC Glow Up: Beauty, Confidence & Lifestyle Habits That Stick.
Psst… Feeling Wired, Tired, or Just Not Right?
If you’re ticking off your goals but still feel foggy, frazzled, or like your body’s low-key working against you, it might not be your fault. High cortisol could be running the show behind the scenes.
Enter: Calm & In Control – your no-fluff guide to calming cortisol and getting your glow back.
This mini guide is for you if you’re constantly running on empty, waking up exhausted, or wondering why your mood, sleep, digestion (and sanity) are all over the place, even though you’re trying to do “all the right things.”
Inside, you’ll get real talk on stress hormones, the signs of imbalance, and simple strategies that actually work – no crash diets, toxic hustle, or woo-woo fluff.
It’s basically the stress-support starter pack I wish every woman had.
- Learn what your body’s really trying to tell you
- Fuel it in a way that feels safe and supportive
- Build chill-out routines that actually calm your system
- Spot the red flags before burnout hits full swing
No guilt. No perfection. Just clear, doable steps to help you feel calm, clear, and back in control again.
Because glowing up isn’t just about skincare and smoothies, it’s about feeling safe in your own body.
Read These Next
- Winter ARC Glow Up: Beauty, Confidence & Lifestyle Habits That Stick
- Winter ARC Checklist: Daily Habits for Energy, Confidence & Self Care
- The Ultimate Winter ARC Guide: Glow Up, Energise & Stay Consistent This Season
Conclusion
Winter doesn’t have to wreck your skin. With the right winter skin care products and simple, consistent habits, you can stay hydrated, glowing, and protected all season.
Your skin deserves the same love you’re giving your body and mind this Winter Arc, start now and you’ll thank yourself come spring.
Next Steps
“Consistency beats intensity, especially when it comes to glowing skin.”
Read This Next: Winter ARC Checklist: Daily Habits for Energy, Confidence & Self Care
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