Winter can be tough on skin and colder air holds less moisture, winds are sharper, and indoor heating strips away the skin’s natural oils. For many, this means dryness, flakiness, and sensitivity. Fine lines may look more pronounced, and makeup often sits unevenly. The solution doesn’t lie in simply layering thicker creams; it’s about choosing the right winter skincare ingredients that support repair and strengthen the skin barrier, especially overnight when your skin naturally regenerates.
The good news is that a handful of proven actives can make a visible difference. Below, we explore five of the best ingredients for winter skincare peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol, ceramides and squalane and show how to integrate them into your night-time skincare routine winter to keep your complexion hydrated, resilient and radiant. All the advice in this guide is grounded in the expertise shared through Ella & Jo and the resources available on Skin School, so you can build a routine that genuinely works.
Why Winter Skincare Needs Are Different?
Winter brings a unique set of environmental challenges. Cold air outside contains less humidity, meaning it pulls moisture from the skin’s surface more readily. Indoors, heating systems create warm but extremely dry air, which can further deplete your skin’s natural moisture levels. This rapid switch between chilly outdoor air and heated indoor environments places extra stress on the skin barrier, often leaving it feeling tight, uncomfortable, or easily irritated.
Mature skin may find these changes particularly pronounced. As oil production slows with age, the barrier can become thinner and more vulnerable, making hydration and protection essential. To combat these factors, winter skincare tips usually focus on repairing, replenishing, and strengthening the barrier, ideally through ingredients that restore lost moisture and support the skin’s natural defences.
5 Winter Skin Care Ingredients You Need to Know
1. Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers, signalling the skin to produce more collagen and elastin. In winter, when cold air can make fine lines appear more defined, peptides play a key role in improving firmness and supporting overnight repair. By encouraging the skin to strengthen itself, they help maintain structure and resilience even as environmental stress increases.
They are especially valuable for mature skin, which may experience slower natural repair processes and a weakened barrier during colder months. Adding a peptide-rich serum at night can give skin the extra boost it needs to stay supple.
2. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant, meaning it draws water into the skin from both the environment and deeper layers. This makes it one of the most effective dry winter skin solutions, keeping the complexion plump and hydrated even in centrally heated rooms. Unlike heavier emollients, it doesn’t simply sit on the surface; it actively binds moisture, which can be a game-changer when dealing with dehydrated winter skin.
To maximise its benefits, apply a hyaluronic acid mist or serum to damp skin, then follow with a moisturiser to lock that hydration in overnight. This layering technique helps prevent transepidermal water loss, ensuring the skin remains comfortable and smooth through the night. It’s an especially useful step in any night-time skincare routine winter, as the skin’s natural repair processes work most efficiently while you sleep. Pairing hyaluronic acid with nourishing ingredients like ceramides or squalane can create a balanced routine that hydrates deeply while reinforcing the barrier.
Those with mature or sensitive skin may find hyaluronic acid particularly beneficial in colder months, as it provides immediate relief from tightness without causing irritation. For best results, incorporate it early in your winter routine, allowing it to act as a moisture magnet before sealing everything in with richer textures. A quick spritz of the Hydrate & Plump Skin Mist before applying your serum or moisturiser can help boost hydration levels instantly, making it an easy yet highly effective step to keep skin comfortable throughout winter.
3. Retinol
Retinol remains a gold-standard ingredient for improving texture, boosting radiance, and accelerating cell turnover. While many people introduce retinol in spring or autumn, winter can be an ideal time to use it. With less UV exposure, there’s a lower risk of sun-induced sensitivity, making it easier to incorporate this potent active into your night routine.
Use retinol after your hydrating serum and follow with a nourishing moisturiser to cushion the skin. If you have matured or sensitive skin, start slowly just a few nights a week and always pair with hydrating ingredients to minimise irritation. A few drops of the Nourish & Glow Superfood Oil layered-on top can help lock in moisture and comfort, creating the perfect balance between active treatment and barrier support. And remember: SPF is non-negotiable during the day, even in winter.
4. Ceramides
Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids that act as the “mortar” between your skin cells, keeping the barrier intact. In winter, when cold winds and dry indoor air put the skin under constant stress, ceramides become essential. They help reduce water loss, soothe sensitivity, and create a shield against environmental aggressors that can otherwise leave the complexion feeling tight and uncomfortable.
Regular use of ceramide-rich moisturisers can make a noticeable difference in skin comfortless dryness, improved smoothness, and greater resilience. Products containing Ceramide Complex are especially effective at restoring the barrier, while a nourishing day cream with SPF, like the Plump & Protect Day Cream with SPF 30, can double as a protective night moisturiser during the colder months. This dual action supports barrier repair overnight while defending against external factors during the day.
5. Squalane
Squalane is a lightweight, non-comedogenic oil derived from plants that mimics the skin’s natural sebum. It helps lock in hydration without feeling greasy, making it suitable for all skin types, including oily or combination. In winter, applying squalane as the final step of your night routine helps seal in all the hydrating and repairing ingredients beneath.
Unlike heavier oils, squalane won’t clog pores or sit heavily on the skin. Instead, it creates a breathable layer that keeps moisture in and cold air out, making it an ideal finishing step. Products like Melt the Day Away Cleansing Balm combine gentle cleansing with nourishing squalane, setting up the skin perfectly for the rest of your winter routine.
Ready to give your skin the care it deserves this winter? Explore Ella & Jo’s collection of hydrating, repairing and barrier-supporting formulas, and build a night-time skincare routine that keeps your complexion healthy, radiant and comfortable all season long.
