The Best Winter Skincare Tips for Brides, Bridesmaids & Guests

Whether you’re heading down the aisle, supporting one of your besties with a role in the wedding party, or attending a winter wedding as a guest, there’s nothing quite like eternally treasured wedding photos that capture your dry and dull skin.

Winter weddings are beautifully festive and warming, and while often overlooked for prime wedding season dates, we love a winter wedding. However, it’s no surprise that cold-weather ceremonies require specific considerations. From finding the perfect winter wedding dress and winter bridesmaid dresses to the best winter wedding guest outfits, it’s about time your skincare routine changes, too!

We spoke to winter skincare expert, Dr. Sam Asculai, Visible Youth’s Chief Scientist, about the best way to take care of your skin this winter, ensuring chilly winds outside and central heating inside don't get the better of you. The key things to bear in mind are locking in moisture and rebalancing your acid mantle with hyaluronic acid (HA). Not sure where to start? We've got you covered. 

With a focus on hydration, hydration, hydration, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to mastering winter skincare, from top tips to a routine to follow in the lead-up to, and top products to shop - here’s everything you need to know about taking care of your skin in the winter. 

The Best Winter Skincare Tips

1. Hydrate from Within

Beyond paying extra attention to your skincare routine during the colder months, drinking water and eating hydrating foods (think water-rich fruits and veggies) to support your skin’s natural moisture levels are just as important! In winter, when dryness is intensified by cold weather and indoor heating, don’t forget to focus on what you put inside your body, too.

2. Switch to a Gentle, Hydrating Cleanser

During winter, it’s wise to swap foaming cleansers for cream or oil-based cleansers. These tend to be less drying and help maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier - an essential for your skincare routine once the temperature drops. When looking for a new cleaner, it’s important to use a gentle, hydrating cleanser rather than stripping formulas, which will only lead to worse dryness, compromising the skin’s natural barrier. 
 

3. Use a Thicker Moisturiser with Richer Textures

For winter, lightweight lotions might not cut it. Instead, a rich moisturiser with ceramides, peptides, or oils (such as jojoba or almond oil) is perfect for long-lasting hydration and protection against winter winds. Winter air draws moisture out of the skin faster, and a richer cream can form a protective barrier against the chill. Look for products with shea butter, squalane, or even some occlusive ingredients like lanolin if your dryness is more severe.

4. Don't Skip SPF

Even on cloudy, cold or snowy days, UV rays are still present - so SPF all year round is essential! A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is non-negotiable for daytime protection, especially important for brides, bridal parties or guests who may spend time outdoors for photos on their wedding day, or attending outdoor ceremonies.
 

5. Focus on Barrier-Boosting Ingredients

Ingredients like ceramides, fatty acids, and niacinamide (B3) are perfect for strengthening the skin barrier, which is key for reducing winter dryness and redness. While, Cica or Centella Asiatica, are calming ingredients, great for protecting sensitive skin and keeping that “bridal glow” intact even in winter. Be sure to look out for recommended products that contain these ingredients. 
 

6. Weekly Exfoliation

While exfoliation is important for radiant skin, over-exfoliating can lead to more dryness. In the lead-up to the wedding, it’s best to exfoliate once or twice a week with a gentle, non-abrasive exfoliant, as mild exfoliants help to keep the skin smooth without causing irritation.

7. Protect with Overnight/Sleeping Masks

Adding an overnight mask a few times a week offers intensive hydration for dry skin during winter, perfect for the night before a big event (like a wedding!) for an extra boost of glow. Look out for masks with hyaluronic acid or calming ingredients (think chamomile or aloe vera) that provide a slow-release effect, helping your skin come alive, and ensuring it looks healthy, plump and hydrated on the big day.
 

8. Hand, Lip and Eye Care

A good winter skincare routine doesn’t just pay attention to your face. In the winter, keeping your hands, lips and under-eyes moisturised is a must. With frequent hand washing and dry indoor air, it’s no surprise that more delicate areas like our hands, lips and under-eyes need extra care, especially for brides who want a flawless look. Look for products with beeswax, shea butter or lanolin for lips and hands or hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C for under-eyes.

9. Prioritise Antioxidants in Serums

Antioxidants like Vitamin C and E help to combat oxidative stress and protect against environmental damage (pollution, etc.), which can be harsher in colder months with the cold air being denser, trapping pollution, and people burning more fuel through using cars more often and turning the heating on. Using antioxidant-rich serums under SPF ensures the skin is well-protected all day!
 

10. Soothing Facial Oils as the Final Step

It’s important to think of your winter skincare routine as a journey, and there’s often a right way or order to do things. Facial oils should be a key component of your winter skincare routine, not only for their ability to soften and smooth the skin but also because they help lock in moisture AFTER moisturising. This helps to enhance hydration without greasiness - Jojoba and rosehip oils, are great examples of lightweight but still nourishing options.

11. Redness & Irritation Prevention

In the winter, you may need to incorporate anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera, green tea, or chamomile that can reduce redness into your routine - a common winter issue particularly unwanted in wedding photos.

12. Body Skincare for Dress-Ready Skin

For brides, bridesmaids and guests wearing dresses that reveal shoulders, back, or arms, gentle exfoliating body scrubs followed by a deeply moisturising body lotion will keep the skin smooth and radiant. While your face is understandably the star of the show, don’t forget about looking after your skin in its entirety during winter. 
 

13. Foundation-Friendly Prep

If you’re thinking about winter skincare tips, makeup is likely next on your agenda for wedding planning. Always choose makeup primers with hydrating properties, beneficial for both brides and guests. They help create a smooth base, preventing your foundation from clinging to dry patches or looking cakey.

The Best 6-Step Winter Skincare Routine

Let’s be honest: winter can feel like a full-on assault on your skin. But with the right routine, you’ll have a radiant glow no matter the forecast. Here’s your ultimate winter skincare routine, with a few insider tips and tricks for brides, bridesmaids, and guests alike.

Step 1: Start with a Gentle, Hydrating Cleanser 

Swap out any harsh cleansers for something creamy and hydrating. Look for ingredients like ceramides or glycerin that clean without stripping. Think of it as wrapping your skin in a cosy cashmere layer right from the start.

Step 2: Layer on a Hydrating Serum 

This step is essential for keeping your skin bouncy and dewy in harsh winter weather. Opt for a serum packed with hyaluronic acid (hello, hydration magnet) or niacinamide to reinforce your skin’s barrier. Pro tip: Apply it to slightly damp skin to really lock in moisture.
 

Step 3: Lock it in with a Rich Moisturiser and Soothing Oils

Winter is the time to amp up your moisturiser game. Opt for something rich with shea butter or squalane to seal everything in, without clogging pores. Apply it with gentle, upward strokes. 
 

Step 4: Protect Your Glow with SPF 

Just because the sun’s playing hard-to-get doesn’t mean you skip SPF. A mineral-based SPF is your best friend for winter, protecting against UV and environmental damage that’s still in full swing even when it’s cloudy.

Step 5: Pamper with an Overnight Mask 

Add a hydrating overnight mask to your routine, at least once or twice a week. Choose something infused with vitamin E or aloe to soothe and deeply hydrate while you sleep. You’ll wake up with that “just got a facial” glow.
 

Step 6: Don’t Forget Your Eyes and Lips 

Your lips and under-eyes are the most delicate parts of your face, so treat them right. A nourishing eye cream with ceramides or caffeine can help brighten and hydrate, while a balm with beeswax or lanolin will keep your lips soft and supple.

The Best Winter Skincare Products: Winter Skincare Survival Kit

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Master Your Winter Skincare Routine 
 

So, don’t let winter get the better of you! Whether you’re getting married, attending a wedding or playing a leading role in the bridal party, ensure your skin remains silky, smooth and picture-ready, even when faced with harsher climates. 

For even more beauty tips, ensuring your skin remains in tip-top shape, read our Ultimate 12 Month Skincare Guide For Brides, Ultimate Bridal Skincare Routine, or, on the makeup front, treat yourself to our Wedding Makeup Tips From The Experts, and guide to ensuring your Wedding Makeup Lasts.