Does your skin suddenly feel tight, flaky or itchy every winter, even if dry skin isn’t usually a problem for you?
Aussie winters may be milder than other parts of the world, but this doesn’t mean we don’t deal with cold temperatures that bring lower humidity and spending more time indoors with the heater running. All of this can strip moisture from your skin.
The result is skin that feels tight, looks dull and can become irritated, especially after shaving. Dry skin magnifies any existing signs of aging, making any lines and wrinkles you may not have known you had look worse than they really are.
We know skincare can look complicated. We are so used to seeing skincare being presented as dozens of steps, with incredibly specific products and tools for every leg of the journey. The good news is that we at Charles + Lee aren’t in the business of complicated routines. With a few simple changes and the right products, you can keep your skin comfortable and healthy all season long.
Why Australian Winter Is Tough on Men's Skin
First things first. Let’s talk about the science of your skin (don’t worry, we are keeping this real simple). Your skin is covered in oil (sebum), which is nature’s barrier to locking in our skin’s moisture. Men's skin tends to be naturally thicker and often oilier than women's, which is why a lot of men don’t show the typical signs of aging until later in life. That doesn't make our skin immune to the damage winter brings though.
Now, why is winter a problem? Aussie winters offer two major issues. Cold air tends to shrink your skin's oil glands, meaning you produce less sebum during the colder months. On top of this, many parts of Australia have naturally dry winters. Dry air sucks up moisture. This means that you have less protective oil on your skin, and any leftover moisture is gone before you know it.
Add in long hot showers (Hot water removes oil) and artificially heated offices (typically dry environments), and your skin has to work even harder to stay hydrated. Add in general lifestyle challenges, such as that men tend to drink less water in winter (you wouldn’t know it, but dehydration is a serious issue in Winter), and men’s skin care becomes a real challenge.
The Biggest Winter Skincare Mistakes Men Make
That’s the science out of the way. Like many things in life, the things you shouldn’t do are just as important as the things you should do, so we’ll start here.
First and foremost, you can’t treat your skin the same way in winter as you do in summer. While we will cover Summer protection and routines later in the year, you don’t have to worry as much about Sun protection, humidity and cold water on your skin. On the other hand, some out there treat winter skin care too differently to Summer, forgetting that SPF protection is needed year round or thinking that moisturiser is only needed when it is hot out.
The next major mistake will annoy most of you. Don’t wash your face with warm water. While warm water might feel great on a cold morning, it strips away Sebum fast. Think about the last time you tried to wash cooking or motor oil off your hands. Use cold water and nothing moves; warm water is the only real way of shifting oil. Your skin oil works the same way.
Other general mistakes that are worth mentioning are exfoliating too often or using body wash on your face. Both of these actions can contribute to dryness during winter. Avoiding these common mistakes is often just as important as adding new products to your routine.
A Simple Men's Winter Skincare Routine
Now let's get to why you’re all here. Charles + Lee is not in the business of overcomplicating things. The best skincare routines are the ones you'll actually stick to. Instead of filling your bathroom with dozens of products, focus on a few essentials that cleanse, protect and hydrate your skin. A consistent routine can make a noticeable difference within just a couple of weeks, especially when winter weather starts taking its toll.
Here are some of our must do skin care tips that are super easy to follow, whether you like to wash your face in the morning, in the evening or both!
Cleanse without Stripping your Skin
Whether you are washing your face in the morning, the evening or both, the goal should be the same: remove dirt, sweat and excess oil without leaving your skin feeling stripped. This is why using a gentle cleanser is the perfect way to start your skin care routine.
Using Charles + Lee’s Face Wash with warm water both cleanses and conditions skin, leaving behind clean, refreshed skin that is ready for protection.
If you are caring for your skin morning AND evening, we recommend leaving the cleansing just to the evening, and simply just rinsing your face in the morning with cool water to leave natural oil on your skin.
Moisturise to protect your Skin
Following your cleansing, using a lightweight moisturiser is a must, as this is what retains moisture. Charles + Lee has two all purpose moisturisers, including our regular Moisturiser which is ideal for people with a “normal” skin type, or our Oil Free Moisturiser, which is ideal for those who don’t like anything too creamy or have naturally oily skin.
When caring for your skin at the start of the day, the main thing to consider would be using a moisturiser with SPF protection, especially if your day ahead is being spent outside in the sun. Even in winter, Australia's UV levels can still be surprisingly high, so protecting your skin from harmful radiation is key to long term skin health. Charles + Lee Moisturiser SPF 15 is a great lightweight option for protecting your skin.
Extra Steps for Extra Support
Night-time is when your skin naturally repairs itself, making it the perfect time to give it a little extra support. Using an anti-ageing serum to target fine lines and support skin renewal while you sleep is a great option if you are looking to address the early signs of aging.
Tradie Tips
If your day to day sees you dealing with a lot of dirt and grime (looking at you, Tradies), consider cleansing your skin twice in the afternoon/evening. Once to remove the outer layer of grime, then another time to properly clean and restore your skin.
Beard and Shaving Care
For those with facial hair, keeping the skin under your beard or mustache healthy is key. I am a huge advocate of using the Charles + Lee moisturiser on my beard when I am in a rush and don’t have time to apply dedicated beard oil, as it helps nourish both the hair and the skin underneath. If you find your facial hair is getting dried out too fast during winter, using a Beard Mask is also a great way to keep everything healthy.
You should also take extra care when shaving in winter, as dry skin can make shaving harder or more irritating. Shaving after a warm shower is a great place to start, as this helps both open up your pores, but also helps soften hair for easier shaving. We also highly recommend using a lubricating shave gel to help your razor glide more easily over your skin, and follow up your shave with an aftershave lotion to act as both a moisturiser as well as repair any knicks.
Should You Keep Exfoliation in Your Routine During Winter?
Firstly, what is exfoliation? Skin is in a constant cycle of death and rebirth, with dead skin making way for new skin. Most of the time this dead skin simply dries up and is removed naturally, as any with bad dandruff would be more than aware of. However, it is important to help this process along when possible. This is what exfoliating is, using something that is lightly abrasive to remove dead skin, but leave behind fresh, new skin to flourish, while also allowing for moisturisers to absorb more effectively.
As a general recommendation, exfoliating between 2-3 times a week is ideal, as this will ensure dead skin is removed. There is such a thing as overdoing it with exfoliation, as overdoing it can weaken your skin barrier and increase dryness. In terms of seasonal changes to exfoliation, it should also be done year round without much change, but there are some considerations you need to have when exfoliating in Winter.
The primary consideration is that you should always avoid exfoliating irritated skin. If you have wind burn from cold winter winds and can see you have visibly red, cracked skin do not scrub that area of skin. This includes scrubbing around your mouth when you have dried and split lips during Winter. If you are planning on hitting the Ski slopes this winter, also be very careful when it comes to sunburn. Scrubbing sunburn can be extremely damaging to your skin, in some cases leading to scabbing and swelling.
Using a gentle scrub such as the Charles + Lee Charcoal Scrub is ideal for regular exfoliation, as it contains both super fine charcoal to help lift and remove dead skin, but also contains a gentle cleanser to remove any remaining oils and grime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do men need moisturiser every day?
Yes. Moisturiser isn't just for dry skin, it helps maintain your skin's protective barrier and prevents moisture loss throughout the day.
Should men exfoliate in winter?
Yes! Twice a week is enough for most skin types all year round.
Do I still need sunscreen in winter?
Absolutely. Australia's UV levels remain high throughout much of the year, even when temperatures drop.
Why does my face feel tight after washing it?
This is often a sign that your cleanser is too harsh or your skin is losing moisture too quickly. Switching to a gentler cleanser and following up with moisturiser can help.
How long does it take to improve dry winter skin?
By starting a regular routine, you should notice initial, surface improvements almost immediately. For your skin to fully respond to the new routine at a deeper level, you should expect to see results in a few weeks.
Conclusion
Winter in Australia doesn't have to mean putting up with dry, uncomfortable skin. A simple routine built around cleansing, moisturising and occasional exfoliation is often all it takes to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Rather than waiting until your skin becomes flaky or irritated, think of winter as the season to build better skincare habits. With a handful of quality products and a routine that's easy to stick to, healthy skin can become just another part of your daily routine.
by Joe Maher