Living in London comes with many perks; the distinct architecture, rich culture and unmistakable energy of the city. However the one thing its inhabitants never seem to grow accustomed to is the change from autumn to winter. Every year, without fail, we act surprised by the sudden cold winds and sinking temperatures, however at Embassy of Beauty we make sure your skincare routine is ahead of the weather by giving it the support it needs. 

How Winter Affects the Skin

Just like the elements, skin is constantly changing. Diet, stress, hormones and the weather all influence how it behaves; winter simply amplifies this. As temperatures fall, the air and our skin lose hydration more quickly. This can leave it feeling tight, rough or more reactive, and it often needs richer textures and ingredients which hold hydration for longer. As these changes settle in, small adjustments to your routine make a clear difference. The skin benefits from more care at each step, which is why winter is the moment to upgrade to richer textures, strengthen the skin barrier and replenish hydration with intention. The skincare routine below is curated to meet these seasonal demands through the colder months and keep your skin at its best all the way through to Spring.

 THE WINTER SKINCARE ROUTINE

Cleanse With Comfort  

While most of us instinctively turn up the temperature in the shower, we often forget the quiet role cleansing plays in how well the skin copes in the cold. Cleansing is the first step in every routine, and just as you reassess your wardrobe, your cleanser deserves the same seasonal attention. The Irene Forte Almond Cleansing Milk is an elegant winter upgrade with its nourishing texture built to protect the skin barrier in colder weather. This gentle formula calms the sensitivity that cold air often provokes and provides antioxidant care when the outside environment becomes harsher. Shea Butter softens and replenishes dry areas while Aloe Juice holds on to hydration so the skin does not feel tight after cleansing; exactly the kind of support winter skin needs. 

Rehydrate Immediately  

Once cleansing is complete, now is the perfect moment to layer hydration back into the skin. As our skin-savvy clients know, hydration is the key to healthy skin so a deeply hydrating toner becomes essential here. The Vie De Mer Collagen Renewal Toner Lotion acts as the bridge between cleansing and nourishment, replenishing the water the season is constantly drawing out of our skin. Its formula suits dry and dehydrated skin types which feel the sharpest impact of the cold. Marine Collagen and Hydrolysed Elastin help to restore suppleness and softness, giving the skin an immediate sense of comfort. Hydration is drawn into the skin, easing tightness and sensitivity that often accompany winter dryness. With consistent use, the complexion is fresher, plumper and more hydrated and the skin is better able to absorb the actives applied after it. 

Shield Against City Air  

Often as citizens of this splendid country, we tend to find a respite from the cold winds underground. While the air is certainly warmer on the tube, it’s also far more polluted. This is why protection is just as important as hydration, and the  Future 5 Vino Remedial Omega-3 Cream  was created with exactly this in mind. Red Grapefruit and Seed Extracts form the heart of this antioxidant formula help to counteract the pollution we encounter on every journey and shield the skin from oxidative stress found in enclosed, congested environments, keeping the complexion clear and energised. Furthermore, Omega-rich nourishment wraps the skin in a soft, protective veil resulting in a cream that reinforces the skin barrier, seals in hydration and gives winter-exposed skin the resilience it needs to stay supple throughout the day. 

Extreme Cold Reinforcement 

For those lucky enough to escape to the Alps this winter, the Raaie Cocoon Ceramide Cream  is here for your snow-blasted skin. Cold air at high altitude is thin, dry and relentlessly fast-moving, which means water evaporates far more quickly. Add the glare from fresh snow and biting winds on the slopes, and the skin barrier is challenged in ways everyday creams can’t always keep up with. This cream behaves like a protective cocoon in the most literal sense. Ceramides, Cholesterol and Fatty Acids help to reinforce the skin barrier so it can withstand sharp winds and sub-zero temperatures. Its plush, insulating texture prevents hydration loss while you’re skiing or spending long hours outdoors. Botanical extracts help soothe the redness that often follows a day on the slopes, while Squalane restores suppleness once you’re back indoors; keeping the complexion calm, cushioned and beautifully resilient, no matter how snowy, windy or exhilarating the conditions become. 

Rescue and Restore Winter Lips  

Keeping lips comfortable in winter is its own challenge. The skin here is thinner, has no oil glands and loses water far more quickly than the rest of the face. Cold wind, central heating and constant movement make dryness almost unavoidable. That’s what makes the Venn Advanced Regenerative Hyaluronic Lip Serum a clever piece of insurance. The texture feels like a cushion for weather-worn lips. Olive and Sunflower Oils soften and seal in hydration, giving instant relief when lips feel tight or sore. Hyaluronic Acid draws water deeper into the skin so lips stay hydrated rather than simply coated, while an innovative peptide complex supports elasticity, so lips appear fuller and healthier, even in the cold. 

Renewing & Brightening Treatment 

Circulation slows down in colder months resulting in dead skin building up faster. When the skin isn’t being naturally renewed at its usual pace, the complexion starts to become dull, uneven and almost grey. Flakiness becomes more obvious, textures feel rougher and products do not absorb the way they should. What many people mistake for dry skin in winter is often simply a layer of compacted dead cells sitting on top of dehydrated skin. The Ayuna Essence Scrub & Mask is incredibly effective at combatting this process. Its gentle, water-activated cellulose provides a soft polish which lifts away those stubborn winter flakes. Coconut extract cushions the skin while Lactobacillus Ferments and PHAs help refine skin texture and gradually create a smoother, brighter complexion. 

Overnight Recovery  

On alternative evenings, encourage your skin into further renewal with the Vie De Mer Hydra Active Night Balm. Winter skin repair happens most effectively overnight, when the skin shifts into regeneration and this balm gives that process real substance. Hydrolysed Collagen and Hydrolysed Elastin help reinforce firmness and bounce, keeping skin cushioned and comforted as it rebuilds through the night.  A gentle dose of Vitamin A creates a smoother texture and the balm’s comforting occlusive finish locks in everything you’ve layered beneath. It’s the kind of night treatment that makes skin feel replenished, restored and prepared for whatever the next cold day brings. 

WINTER BELOW THE NECK

Whilst the products above will surely help bring back the radiance winter tries to steal from our complexion; the body also needs its own special TLC. The skin below the neck faces the same seasonal stressors; cold air, indoor heating, heavier clothing and the overall drop in humidity all work together to pull moisture from the body even faster than from the face. Winter body care then becomes a necessary extension of skin barrier support. 

A Ritual Bath 

A cold evening is the perfect invitation to slow down, warm up and build a little ceremony into body care. A long bath relaxes muscles and softens the skin so it can better receive nourishment. The Aman Nourishing Jade Scrub & Soak elevates this ritual into a restorative treatment. Himalayan Salt and crushed Jade gemstones gently buff away dead skin, Calendula and Almond Oil comfort dryness and the infusion of Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang-Ylang create an indulgent warmth after a day spent battling the cold. Paired with the Trudon Fir Candle, the atmosphere becomes richer still. Its blend of Siberian Pine and Patchouli, lifted by Myrrh resin, fills the room with an opulent scent that feels both grounding and deeply luxurious. 

Lipid Replenishment  

Once out of the bath, the skin is at its most receptive, which makes a relipidating oil or a nourishing cream the next important step. The Bodyologist Skin Gloss Body Oil glides on to skin effortlessly, replenishing lost lipids with Jojoba Oil. This indulgent product increases firmness and overall skin vitality and leaves skin with a healthy, light, luxurious sheen. The Aman Nourishing Sacred Heart Balm blends Seaweed and Spirulina, which feeds the skin with minerals, while Cedarwood, Palo Santo and Magnolia oils create a grounding, aromatic warmth. When massaged over still-damp or freshly oiled skin, it forms a soft, protective cocoon that helps keep hydration in place for hours. Its richer texture makes it particularly effective on elbows, knees and shins; places that tend to roughen quickly in cold, dry weather. 

Overnight Hand Care 

Since hands face some of the harshest winter wear, from constant washing, dry air and wind exposure, a nourishing hand cream becomes a non-negotiable finishing touch before bed. The Irene Forte Pomegranate Hand Cream brings together Sunflower Oil for softness, Aloe for soothing and Pomegranate for antioxidant support. Allantoin helps repair rough patches, while Hyaluronic Acid restores hydration. Applied as the last step of your evening wind-down, it keeps hands comforted, smooth and protected through the night.  

BOOK YOUR WINTER SKIN ANALYSIS

With the right products and a little seasonal adjustment, your routine can shift from simply coping with the cold to fully supporting and strengthening your skin through it. If you would like to understand exactly what your skin needs this season, we welcome you to visit us at the clinic for a personalised winter skin analysis. Our team will assess your Skin Instant consultation, tailor your routine and ensure you move through the colder months with comfort, clarity and confidence.