As the weather changes, temperatures drop, and the days become inevitably shorter, it is also time to adjust and adapt our skincare routine. Just like we swap our summer wardrobe for scarves and layers, our skin can also need a little extra protection and hydration during autumn and winter.
With dropping temperatures, dry air, wind, and indoor heating, our skin can inevitably start to feel drier and more sensitive. This is when swapping and tweaking a couple of things in our skincare routine can make all the difference. This is a series we have worked on over the last few years, and for this edition, we wanted to update our list with some of the products and tips we have been loving lately.
Let’s start!
Adding More Hydration
One of the first things you may notice when autumn arrives is that your skin starts feeling a little tighter or drier than usual. This is where hydrating toners, essences, and serums become your best friends.
Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, beta-glucan, and snail mucin, which can help attract and retain moisture.
Instead of completely changing your routine, consider simply adding an extra hydrating layer after cleansing. Sometimes, that small adjustment is all your skin needs to feel more comfortable.
Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
A lightweight option packed with different forms of hyaluronic acid, making it particularly interesting for dehydrated skin.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica First Ampoule
A great option for those who want hydration combined with Centella Asiatica, making it a lovely choice for skin that needs a little extra soothing care.
Richer Moisture
This is probably one of the biggest changes you may want to make when transitioning from summer to winter.
During the warmer months, gel moisturisers can be perfect for oily and combination skin. Once the temperature drops, however, you may find that your usual moisturiser no longer feels quite enough.
That doesn’t mean everyone needs to switch to a heavy cream. Instead, look for moisturisers containing ceramides, squalane, panthenol, shea butter, or fatty acids to help support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.
For Dry Skin
Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream is a great option when your skin needs richer nourishment and a more comforting finish. Its creamy texture makes it particularly appealing during the colder months.
For Sensitive Skin
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream offers a lighter texture while focusing on hydration and soothing ingredients, making it a nice option when your skin needs something gentle.
For Oily or Combination Skin
You don’t necessarily need to abandon your gel moisturiser. Instead, try applying a slightly richer cream only to the areas that tend to become dry, while keeping your lighter formula on oilier areas.
This is one of our favourite ways to adapt a routine without completely changing it!
Protecting Your Skin Barrier
If there is one skincare trend we want to take with us into winter, it is barrier care.
When your skin barrier is compromised, you may notice increased dryness, redness, sensitivity, flaking, or even breakouts. Cold weather and dry indoor air can make these concerns even more noticeable.
This is the perfect time to introduce or prioritise ingredients such as:
- Ceramides
- Panthenol
- Centella Asiatica
- Beta-glucan
- Snail mucin
The goal isn’t necessarily to use all of them. Instead, pick products that complement your existing routine and focus on keeping your skin comfortable, hydrated, and balanced.
A Few Options to Explore
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream – particularly interesting for blemish-prone or irritated-looking skin, with a soothing and moisturising focus.
Torriden Solid-In Ceramide Cream – a great option for those looking for a richer moisturiser focused on hydration and barrier support.
Purito Centella-based products – a good choice for those who prefer soothing, barrier-focused formulations with Centella Asiatica.
Make Your Night Routine More Nourishing
Your nighttime routine is where you can give your skin a little extra attention.
If your skin feels particularly dry during winter, consider adding a sleeping mask or richer cream as the final step once or twice a week.
This doesn’t need to become another complicated part of your routine. Think of it as an occasional extra layer when your skin needs additional nourishment.
Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream and nourishing sleeping masks can be particularly useful for dry or dehydrated skin, especially when your complexion is feeling a little lacklustre after a long, cold day.
SPF Is Still Essential
And here is the reminder we give every season: don’t put your SPF away with your summer wardrobe!
UV exposure doesn’t disappear when temperatures drop, so your daily sunscreen should remain the final step of your morning skincare routine throughout autumn and winter.
This becomes particularly important if you’re using active ingredients such as Vitamin C, retinoids, or exfoliating acids. And let’s be honest, finding an SPF with a texture you genuinely enjoy makes daily application so much easier.
Look for a sunscreen that feels comfortable enough to use every day. If you love the texture, you’re much more likely to apply it consistently!
Check our updated SPF list here.
Our Autumn/Winter K-Beauty Checklist
Before completely changing your skincare routine, ask yourself:
Is my skin feeling tighter? → Add more hydration.
Is it becoming flaky? → Increase your focus on barrier support.
Are your usual products suddenly irritating? → Consider reducing your active ingredients.
Does your moisturiser no longer feel sufficient? → Try a richer formula.
Is your skin still oily? → Don’t skip hydration; simply choose lightweight formulas.
Are you using retinol or acids? → Adjust the frequency if your skin becomes sensitive.
Are you still using SPF? → Keep it firmly in your morning routine!
Seasonal skincare doesn’t have to mean completely rebuilding your beauty cabinet. Sometimes, a few small adjustments are enough to help your skin transition comfortably from warm summer days to colder autumn and winter weather.
For us, the biggest change is always adding more hydration and paying extra attention to the skin barrier. And if you are using active ingredients, listening to your skin becomes even more important. If something suddenly feels too strong, there is nothing wrong with simplifying your routine for a while.
After all, K-beauty has always been about finding a routine that works with your skin rather than overwhelming it with products.
So, bring out the cosy sweaters, grab your favourite hydrating serum, and get ready for another season of healthy, glowing skin!
