If you've seen any of our morning or night routines on Instagram, you'll know that we're very detail orientated when it comes to what we put on our skin, especially so when it comes to winter skincare.

As such, we know that our skincare routines need to change slightly in winter. Colder, drying temperatures can mess with your complexion, causing flaking, itching and even breakouts for some. So it's important to make sure you're giving your skin a little extra TLC during the colder months.

Here's advice straight from the horse's mouth. The RUSSH editors share our winter skincare essentials and tips.

Emily Algar

Beauty Editor 

My skincare routine remains pretty consistent year round – my face hates change. But I will sub in a thicker moisturiser, maybe a milk or an essence? I use a lot of Rationale, and the Creme #4 is perfect in winter. So is my beloved Augustinus Bader Rich Creme (from a texture perspective it's the best face cream in the world). Medik8 Niacinamide Peptides are really good for barrier integrity, too (winter adjacent). 

I also incorporate the Bioderma Atoderm SOS Spray when my skin is feeling tight. It’s lipid-rich but has a fluid consistency that’s comforting but not overwhelming. I have emptied that product at least eight times. Not as seasonal, but I also started using the Dr Diamond Metacine InstaFacial Plasma and I already see a difference (I don’t say that very often). And thank god, because I spent a fortune on it. My face is less reactive with fewer breakouts. I just look better and even-toned. Yay. 

Also, on the topic, everyone should hit check out on the St Tropez Purity Face Spray. I mostly loathe self tanning – it’s messy and cumbersome. But this mist is… incredible. I don’t know how it works exactly but it’s ultra fine and gives you 20% more colour without mess or smell. I’ve been putting it on a clean face every second night under my moisturiser and wake up feeling slightly more gorgeous. I bought it on a whim after Alexis Page wrote about it and let’s just say I owe her.

Cassandra Dimitroff

Features and Production Editor

My winter skin essentials are the rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid (for an added moisture layer) and La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ (that I picked up in Barcelona at a chemist for my parched skin). I’m testing the Avene Cicalfate+ Repair Lip Balm and will report back. On my desk at work lives an Aesop Eleos Aromatique Hand Balm that smells incredible and always ends up being passed around to at least a couple of colleagues. For a weekly ritual, I’m still obsessed with the Augustinus Bader sheet masks and eye patches. I’m also back on supplements – specifically those from Foraged For You, including their Zinc and Magnesium. Winter scent: CHANEL Sycomore EDP, always.

Kirsty Thatcher

Senior Digital Editor

If you have the chance, winter is a great time to treat your skin to a little TLC and book a facial. I recently had RATIONALE’s Epinova Facial (hosted in the David Jones beauty rooms) and not only was it luxe, but it’s changed how I think about winter skincare.

The Epinova Facial is suitable for all skin types (I have combination skin) – it's designed to hydrate, brighten and all-around revitalise, while targeting some of winter’s more persistent concerns, like fine lines and dullness. Afterwards, my skin felt smoother and plumper, with that very particular RATIONALE glow. It’s also helped me amp-up my winter routine – in particular, I’ve incorporated the #4 Nourishing Cream to dial up the hydration, and the #6 GelCrème to boost cell turnover at night. So good.

The rest of my routine is fairly consistent year-round. The Ultra Violette Supreme Screen is a non-negotiable. It also doubles as a really nice primer underneath makeup. Speaking of, I love using an oil cleanser to take my makeup off – it’s so much more gentle, especially when it’s cold. This one by Emma Lewisham is great.

Mia Steiber

Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher

Always, forever, my number one winter skincare tip is to not have overly hot showers. Hot running water melts away your natural moisturising factors and dries out your skin big time. I try not to go too hot and to use a shower oil like the L’Occitane Almond Oil (my fave). I then love to do whole moisturise with Avene XeraCalm. I even use it on my lips. As for a facial skincare, I completely swap out my skincare in winter for barrier-preserving products. I love Medik8 for just about everything but I really love the Niacinamide Peptide serum for hydration and barrier support, it also assists with prevention which is great. I am absolutely loving the Prime Skin Drink Up moisturiser, it’s a barrier balm and I’ve been using it day and night. My favourite La Prairie eye cream goes over the top at night.

My essential cleanser is Emma Lewisham’s Illuminating Oil cleanser, it’s lightly enzymatic so it helps to exfoliate as it gently cleanses. My other tip is to always carry a barrier supporting mist, I love the Jet Lag formula from Summer Fridays and it’s the perfect size too. I sometimes mix some other actives in here like retinol or glycolic acid and of course sunscreen, but as a base routine, this is how I stave off winter dryness.

Alys Hale

Music Editor and Creative Producer

My winter skin routine isn’t vastly different from any other season to be honest, I just use richer, heavier products to try and combat dryness. My non-negotiables are at least two litres of water a day (in winter I make these warm with lemon juice), and a good night's sleep. If either of these things slide, then my skin will tell me pretty quickly. However, in winter I suffer from seriously dry lips, to the point at which they can crack and bleed (ouch.) I find Lanolips to be really helpful – it is so healing you could use it on a baby. I’m pretty petrified of petroleum jelly on my lips. However, I am keen to try the Bisou Balm for a little tint as I hydrate, and the Sofia  Coppola AB balm collaboration – one of the very few collaborations I can get behind…

As for my skin, I often find myself exfoliating more in winter and swear by Emma Lewisham’s Illuminating Face Exfoliant and Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50, I don’t understand what it does, but it works. I go in heavy with moisturisers, with my favourites being Augustinius Bader’s Ultimate Soothing Cream, Embriolysse Hydra-Cream and SkinCeutical’s Age Interrupter. Along with my beloved Lewisham Supernatural Sleeping Mask, I do try and pop in a few more masks in winter such as the Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep and Skintitut’s Expert Jelly Mask. Finally, sun protection for face, neck and hands, even if it’s hidden in my foundation or tinted moisturisers, SPF50 every day. 

Sophia Serafin

Implementation Manager

My skin has been noticeably dry this winter, so I've been focussed on hydration and skin barrier support. RATIONALE is my year-round saviour, and their Hydragel keeps my skin glowy, while ingredients like glycerin and ceramides help lock in moisture. For a deep and luxurious hydration boost, every few weeks I reach for La Prairie’s Hydralift Firming Mask. 

Sunscreen is still non-negotiable, so RATIONALE’s Tinted SPF50+ is on my face every single day. Where I can, I’ll fit in a sauna and steam session at Reset Studio, and if the sun’s out, an ocean dip at Bronte. 

The colder weather also seems to make my fine lines a little more noticeable, so I will be dosing up on a stronger Retinal from Medik8 for targeted areas. Aside from that, endless cups of tea, and plenty of water. 

Stacey Gaskin

Consumer Revenue Manager

I have normal to dry skin and my winter skincare essential is weekly overnight masks – sometimes two times a week when I’m feeling extra dry. My top three would be Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Overnight Treatment, the Aēsop Lucent Facial Night Masque and the TWYG Regenerative Overnight Repair Mask. All three of these are great for supporting your skin barrier while bringing brightness and deep hydration to the skin. I also like that they have no parabens.

Be sure not to skip exfoliating your skin in winter, especially when using thicker products. I find that exfoliants are not a one-size fits all situation (like many other skincare products), but for me, I don’t have overly sensitive skin. A product I love with every fibre of my being for the face and décolletage is the Mukti 2 in 1 Resurfacing Exfoliant. It has a blend of chemical and physical exfoliants that brighten and calm at the same time. And a great in-shower exfoliant for the body is the sans ceuticals Bio Active Body Exfoliant.

For lips, I love the LESSE Soothing Lip Balm. For eyes, the classic Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado never lets me down. And for any dry or irritated areas that need a little extra attention, I reach for the Lanolips The Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm.

Jaime Carmody

Digital Marketing Specialist 

Winter and my skin have never been the best of friends, especially as I edge closer to 30. This year I think I've finally cracked the code with a handful of products. First up is the Jurlique Rare Rose Face Oil. It's a non-negotiable in my evening skincare routine, especially when paired with the Rare Rose Balancing Mist for an extra layer of hydration.  

Throughout the day, I usually reach for the Radiance Renewal Cream by Ikkari or the Rhode Barrier Butter, depending on how dry my skin is feeling. Both are incredibly nourishing without feeling heavy and give my skin that healthy, hydrated glow. I've also been relying heavily on cuticle oil this winter. It's such a small step, but it's made a huge difference in keeping my nails and hands looking healthy despite the cold weather.

Another forever favourite is the Aēsop Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm. I've been using it for as long as I can remember. It smells incredible, absorbs beautifully, and keeps my skin soft through the driest winter days. No winter skincare routine would be complete without the Aēsop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm. It's permanently in my handbag because the first sign of colder weather always shows up on my hands. 

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Feature image: Emily Algar