The Ultimate Winter Glow Up Guide

Winter has a way of dulling things. Skin glows a little less, energy dips, and movement becomes optional for many. But—my fellow skinthusiasts— winter is also the most strategic season to refine your routines and invest in changes that actually last. Let’s play the long game.

A real glow-up doesn’t start when the weather warms and everyone starts scrambling to shed off those winter pounds and clear up their skin for summer. It starts now, when conditions are working in your favor.

Strategic Actives

With less sun exposure and fewer environmental stressors, winter is the ideal time to increase actives and work with more corrective formulas. This is when many peoples’ skin can better tolerate and respond to ingredients that drive change rather than just maintain.

Retinoids, vitamin C, peptides, and barrier-repair ingredients all work harder during colder months, as long as they’re well-formulated and introduced thoughtfully. As usual, I always recommend medical-grade products as they’re clinically tested and have a proven track record. 

With retinol being the holy grail for keeping fine lines at bay, trying something like ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener 0.5% could be great. Always consult with your skincare professional before bringing in new actives into your routine.

Keep it Moving

Cold weather turns daily walks into skipped walks (guilty). Desk hours get longer. Even those who are active can become unintentionally sedentary. That matters more than we think, not just for physical health, but for circulation, lymphatic flow, and skin vitality.

Home equipment that makes movement easier, not more complicated, is worth the investment. A walking pad is one of the simplest upgrades you can make—I’ve just invested in one and it was the best decision I could’ve made. It keeps me moving without requiring motivation, weather checks, or outfit changes.

MediSpa Living

With limited sun exposure, the skin can heal more efficiently and safely after energy-based treatments. That makes winter the smartest time to address pigmentation, texture, redness, acne scarring, and collagen loss.

Rather than chasing quick fixes in spring, winter allows for a more intentional treatment plan that delivers visible improvement by the time warmer months arrive. IPL treatments, as well as microneedling and PRF are some of my go-tos during this time.

Something to Look Forward to

It doesn’t have to be a tropical vacation, though that helps. A staycation, a spa weekend, even a long, quiet break scheduled intentionally can change how winter feels. Anticipation alone can shift your mood, stress levels, and sense of momentum.

Warm Rituals

Winter is the season for internal nourishment that actually supports the skin. 

A golden milk latte made with turmeric, ginger, and cloves is my latest obsession that reduces inflammation and improves digestion. Bone broth is another winter staple that quietly does a lot of work, providing amino acids and collagen-supporting nutrients that benefit skin, joints, and gut health.

Don’t settle for enduring winter until spring. Book those treatments, get that movement in, and get glowing. 

Till next time—

Gabriella