Hydration is key all year round - whatever the weather - so we asked the experts at The INKEY List to show us how to hydrate our skin while temperatures play catch up.

Any beauty buff worth their weight in hyaluronic acid, knows that hydration is key all year round - whatever the weather. However, glowing, dewy, moisturised skin can feel like a challenge when its battling against cold conditions and central heating (spring can’t come soon enough!).

So, we asked The INKEY List co-founders Colette and Mark to share their top tips for staying hydrated while temperatures play catch up. Watch the video or read our Q&A, as INKEY guide us through the products and practices we need to master the moisture and get that glow.

Q: How can I layer my skincare for maximum hydration?

There are five easy steps for layering skincare for extra hydration - Cleanse, Hydrate, Treat Moisturise and SPF.

We recommend layering our new Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Polyglutamic Acid Serum and Omega Water Cream, as this combination will give your skin maximum hydration.

Our new Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser deeply cleanses the skin without leaving a stripped feeling. It’s formulated with 1% Hyaluronic Acid Complex, which improves hydration levels in skin for up to 48 hours, even after it has been washed off! There is also a 1% Inulin Compound to increase hydration levels within the skin.

Our Hyaluronic Acid Serum has 2% Hyaluronic Acid, a moisture-binding ingredient that works beneath the skin's surface and can hold up to 1000x its weight in water.

Polyglutamic Acid can hold 4x more moisture than Hyaluronic Acid and is designed to enhance moisturisation on the surface of the skin.

Q: What extra steps do I need to take to love my skin in the colder months?

Whether you have naturally dry skin that’s lacking oil, or skin that’s lacking water and prone to dehydration, the change in seasons can play havoc with your skin. Colder, drier temperatures and central heating can deplete moisture in the skin, causing it to become irritated and cracked.

We recommend using our Oat Cleansing Balm as a nourishing mask and layering Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Rosehip oil as a great way to add in more layers of hydration.

Our Polyglutamic Acid Serum can also be used to add an extra layer of hydration, it’s also great to mix with your foundation or tinted moisturiser.

Q: How do I care for ultra-dry skin?

Hydration is key all year round, however, in the colder months we advise using gentle products while adding layers of hydrating treatments. Adding in ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid will draw in water from the lower layers of the skin, whilst Polyglutamic Acid will maintain the water levels on the surface of the skin. Adding Rosehip oil in the evenings to nourish the skin is a key INKEY tip!

Should I change my skincare routine in the winter?

We recommend switching to a gentle exfoliant, for example, replacing Glycolic Acid Toner with our Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner in the winter, when skin is more dehydrated or dry. Skin can be more sensitive in the colder months, therefore the key is to support a healthy skin barrier for all skin types. Our new Omega Water Cream offers gentle yet lightweight hydration and is suitable for all skin types.

It’s formulated with:

• Omega Fatty Acid Complex, which contains Omega 3, 6 and 9 to help reduce transepidermal water loss and keep essential moisture locked in, without using oil

• 5% Niacinamide, which helps to control excess oil, even out skin tone and reduce redness

• 5% Glycerin, a superstar humectant that helps pull moisture to the skin

• 3% Betaine to rebalance skin’s moisture levels

Q: Why is my skincare not working so well in winter?

We may overwhelm our skin in winter by switching up too many products from the summer and over-doing it with exfoliating acids, Vitamin C or Retinol. During the colder months, hydration is key and gentle cleansing is a must. Using Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser in the winter with Oat Cleansing Balm is the perfect combination for gentle cleansing. Our skin usually feels tight in the winter, therefore we recommend using Omega Water Cream to promote a healthy skin barrier and always layer with SPF every day, even in the winter!

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