The Autumn/Winter season brings in cooler temperatures and drier air, which means that lightweight skincare products ideal for Spring/Summer may not be nourishing enough for the colder season. Harmonising your skincare routine with the shift in weather requires transitioning to richer products that hydrate and protect. From cleanser to moisturiser, here are our top picks for transitional winter skincare.

Choose a Cleansing Oil or Lotion

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm with Cleansing Cloth; HK$485 at emmahardie.com
Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser; HK$580 at selfridges.com
Rare Skin Fuel Revitalizing Cream Cleanser; HK$835 at rareskinfuel.com
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil 150ml; HK$350 at shuuemura.com.hk
Eau Thermale Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser; HK$215 at mannings.com.hk
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm with Cleansing Cloth; HK$485 at emmahardie.com
Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser; HK$580 at selfridges.com
Rare Skin Fuel Revitalizing Cream Cleanser; HK$835 at rareskinfuel.com
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil 150ml; HK$350 at shuuemura.com.hk
Eau Thermale Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser; HK$215 at mannings.com.hk
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It’s important to start with hydration at the foundation of your routine. You don’t want to strip your skin of its natural oils when it’s already dehydrated. Consider swapping the gel and foaming cleansers you use to rid of summer sweat and grime for a soothing cleansing oil, balm, lotion or milk. These nourishing formulas gently but effectively dissolve dirt and makeup while moisturising your skin.

Use Hydrating Toners or Essences

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner 250ml; HK$370 at fresh.com
Neogen Real Ferment Micro-Essence 150ml; HK$427 at net-a-porter.com
Caudalie Moisturising Toner 200ml; HK$128 at hongkong.sasa.com
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner; HK$207 at sephora.hk
Agent Nateur Holi(water) Hyaluronic Pearl and Rose Toner 120ml; HK$840 at net-a-porter.com
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner 250ml; HK$370 at fresh.com
Neogen Real Ferment Micro-Essence 150ml; HK$427 at net-a-porter.com
Caudalie Moisturising Toner 200ml; HK$128 at hongkong.sasa.com
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner; HK$207 at sephora.hk
Agent Nateur Holi(water) Hyaluronic Pearl and Rose Toner 120ml; HK$840 at net-a-porter.com
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The first step of post-cleanse skincare is toner. Swap more astringent formulas that focus on removing surface oil and residue with more hydrating alternatives or treatment essences that leave a glow. In the cooler season, your skin will drink up these lightweight hydrating liquids like a glass of water, leaving it soft and supple and prepping it for more emollient products to follow.

Invest in a Winter Moisturiser

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream; HK$465 at sephora.hk
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich; HK$1,188 at net-a-porter.com
Eve Lom TLC Cream; HK$470 at net-a-porter.com
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream; HK$357 at cultbeauty.co.uk
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream 50ml; HK$2,100 at lanecrawford.com
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream; HK$465 at sephora.hk
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich; HK$1,188 at net-a-porter.com
Eve Lom TLC Cream; HK$470 at net-a-porter.com
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream; HK$357 at cultbeauty.co.uk
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream 50ml; HK$2,100 at lanecrawford.com
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The winter moisturiser is the most pivotal skincare product for transitional beauty routines. Put your lightweight, oil-free gel formulas in the backseat for richer, nourishing formulas that cocoon your skin with essential and healthy fatty acids. These emollient moisturisers will create a replenishing barrier for your skin, locking in hydration while protecting it from the harsher elements.

Don’t Forget SPF

Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF50; HK$1,270 at lanecrawford.com.hk
Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart SPF50 Hydrating Shield; HK$456 at net-a-porter.com
La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF50 UV Protecting Fluid; HK$950 at lanecrawford.com.hk
Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturiser SPF40; HK$305 at sephora.hk
Shiseido UV Lip Color Splash SPF42; HK$180 at shiseido.com.hk
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF50; HK$1,270 at lanecrawford.com.hk
Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart SPF50 Hydrating Shield; HK$456 at net-a-porter.com
La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF50 UV Protecting Fluid; HK$950 at lanecrawford.com.hk
Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturiser SPF40; HK$305 at sephora.hk
Shiseido UV Lip Color Splash SPF42; HK$180 at shiseido.com.hk
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Sun protection is just as important in the winter. While your favourite summer SPF will work just as well in the cooler season, now is a good time to use a more moisturising formula that imparts a glow rather than an oil-free, mattifying finish that aims to banish sweat and excess sebum.