Winter Skin Care: How to Protect and Replenish Your Skin in the Cooler Months
As Brisbane shifts into the cooler months, you may notice your skin feeling tight, flaky, or unusually sensitive. While we often think of winter as a reprieve from sun damage, it introduces a different challenge: compromised skin barrier function.
At Cosmetic Image Clinics Brisbane, we treat skin scientifically. That’s why we recommend switching up your routine in winter to account for changes in environmental stressors—and we rely on Synergie Skin, a cosmeceutical-grade, Australian-made skincare range, to deliver visible, lasting results.
What Happens to Your Skin in Winter?
In winter, the drop in humidity levels combined with cooler winds and indoor heating creates a perfect storm:
Reduced atmospheric moisture draws water out of your skin (called transepidermal water loss or TEWL).
Heaters lower indoor humidity, drying out the surface of the skin.
Wind and cold air can cause microcracks in the skin’s barrier, leading to increased sensitivity and inflammation.
The result? Skin struggles to retain hydration and loses its natural resilience. To combat this, you need to adjust your skincare routine—not just the products, but the science behind them.
1. SWITCH TO A NON-STRIPPING CLEANSER
Traditional foaming cleansers often contain anionic surfactants, which are detergents that disrupt the skin’s lipid matrix (the oils that hold your skin cells together). This not only removes dirt but also breaks down the natural protective barrier, leaving skin vulnerable to moisture loss and irritation.
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
Synergie Skin UltraCleanse: This pH-balanced cleanser uses mild cleansing agents that mimic the skin’s own lipid structure, effectively removing impurities without damaging barrier lipids. It also contains anti-inflammatory botanicals to calm winter-sensitised skin.
2. BOOST HYDRATION WITH HUMECTANTS AND PREBIOTICS
In winter, skin loses moisture faster than it can replenish it. Humectants like hyaluronic acid work by drawing water from the deeper layers of the skin—or from the environment—into the surface layers. Meanwhile, prebiotics nourish your skin's microbiome, which plays a key role in barrier function and inflammation control.
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
Synergie Skin Dermiotic: A probiotic/prebiotic skin balancer that restores microbial harmony, reducing redness and strengthening barrier integrity—especially important in colder months when skin immunity is compromised.
3. USE OCCLUSIVE AND EMOLLIENT MOISTURISERS
Winter skin needs both emollients (to fill in cracks between skin cells) and occlusives (to seal in moisture and prevent evaporation). The skin’s natural lipid production slows in colder weather, so moisturisers must compensate by replacing lost ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids.
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
Synergie Skin DermaCalm or ReClaim: DermaCalm is rich in shea butter and squalane for skin-soothing barrier support, while ReClaim offers peptides for cellular repair and marine-based emollients that mimic skin lipids.
4. CONTINUE DAILY SUN PROTECTION
While UVB rays drop in winter, UVA rays—responsible for deep ageing and collagen breakdown—are present year-round. Plus, depleted ozone during winter months can increase UV exposure, even on cloudy days.
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
Synergie Skin UberZinc SPF 15: A non-negotiable, physical-block sunscreen with 21% zinc oxide that also calms redness and supports barrier function—ideal for dry, reactive winter skin. It’s also rich in antioxidants, helping to neutralise free radicals caused by winter windburn and pollution.
5. GENTLY EXFOLIATE TO ENHANCE ABSORPTION
Dead skin cells accumulate more quickly in winter due to slowed cell turnover and decreased moisture. This creates a barrier that prevents your hydrating serums and moisturisers from penetrating effectively. However, over-exfoliation in winter can compromise an already vulnerable barrier, so a gentle chemical exfoliant is preferred over physical scrubs.
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
Synergie Skin Reveal serum: Formulated with mandelic and lactic acids, Reveal lifts dead cells while hydrating, making it perfect for winter use. These AHAs exfoliate without triggering inflammation or microtears, promoting smoother texture and better product absorption.
SUPPORT THE SKIN BARRIER WITH B VITAMINS
Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) improves barrier strength by stimulating ceramide production and reducing water loss. It also inhibits inflammatory pathways, making it essential for calming redness and sensitivity common in winter.
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
Synergie Skin Vitamin B Serum: A hero product year-round but especially crucial in winter. It works on multiple levels—balancing oil flow, reducing sensitivity, boosting hydration, and supporting barrier repair.
Why Winter Is the Perfect Time for Advanced Skin Treatments
With reduced UV exposure, winter is an ideal time to undergo laser, skin needling, and chemical peels, which can be too harsh to combine with sun exposure. These treatments stimulate collagen, improve hydration channels in the dermis, and prep the skin for a luminous spring.
At Cosmetic Image Clinics Brisbane, we offer:
Custom facials using Synergie Skin protocols
Laser Genesis and Fraxel laser for pigmentation and scarring
Skin needling for collagen induction
Clinical strength peels tailored to dry, ageing, or sensitive skin
All treatments can be supported with a personalised Synergie Skin aftercare routine to optimise results.
Ready to Winter-Proof Your Skin?
The shift in seasons is the perfect time to reassess your skincare and seek professional guidance. At Cosmetic Image Clinics Brisbane, we offer complimentary skin consultations with experienced clinicians trained in Synergie Skin prescription protocols.
Treat your skint to the winter routine it deserves:
📞 (07) 3003 4000
🌐 cosmeticimageclinics.com.au
📍 Level 2, 70D Mary Street, Brisbane CBD