How to Embrace the ‘Winter Arc’ Trend with Your Skincare
Have you heard about the ‘winter arc’ wellness trend? Popular on TikTok, it’s all about using the darkest months of the year to set your self-improvement intentions and get a head start on your goals for 2025.
Instead of letting good habits slide during the festive season, with the winter arc you embrace personal improvement, whether it be with fitness, meditation, journaling or self-care.
On the beauty front, now is the perfect time to reassess your skincare regime and identify any areas where you might be lacking.
Are you guilty of not taking off your make-up properly after a night out? Do you occasionally scrimp on the SPF? By addressing these concerns now you’ll start 2025 with a glowing complexion.
Here, Dr Sophie Shotter, skin expert from Absolute Collagen, shares five ways to embrace the winter arc trend with your skincare routine.
1. Set small goals
“Setting small, attainable goals for your skincare routine is the real game-changer for your winter arc,” Shotter says.
“Forget the lofty promises to banish every wrinkle or wake up looking like you’ve just had a facial in your sleep. Instead, you should start small, stay consistent, and celebrate every win, no matter how small.”
During the colder months, when skin has a tendency to be drier, be consistent with moisturiser, she suggests: “Rather than deciding to erase every fine line, why not simply try to moisturise twice every day to keep your skin happy and hydrated? By focusing on simple, achievable goals, you can set yourself up for success.”
2. Hydrate from the inside
“If there’s one thing your winter arc needs to thrive, it’s hydration. Think of it as the foundation of not just your skin but your overall self-care game,” Shotter says, explaining that there’s a scientific reason why you may be more prone to dehydration in winter.
“In colder weather, our ‘thirst response’ drops, meaning you don’t feel as thirsty. However, your body still needs fluids. Pair that with heating indoors and those frosty winds outside, and dehydration can sneak up on you without warning.”
That’s why it’s key to keep drinking six to eight glasses of water a day: “Not only will your body and skin look hydrated, but you’ll also feel so much better during your winter arc.”
3. Keep protecting your skin
One of the most common skin sins in winter is neglecting to wear sunscreen.
“Just because it’s cold outside, it doesn’t mean the UV rays can’t still cause fine lines, pigmentation, and collagen deficiency. Even when it’s cloudy and overcast, your skin is still exposed,” Shotter tells us.
“However, by keeping up with your suncream during your winter arc, you’re taking the proper steps to look after your skin. As a general rule of thumb, aim for SPF 30 to protect your skin’s health, applying the suncream once you’ve cleansed and moisturised.
“Alternatively, look for a day cream that includes SPF, it’s one less step to worry about, and perfect for those busy mornings.”
4. Support with supplements
As well as ‘eating the rainbow’ – meaning lots of colourful, nutrient-packed fruit and veg – supplements can give your body the internal boost it needs to support your skin’s winter arc.
“The body naturally produces collagen to support healthy, radiant and firmer skin,” Shotter explains. “Collagen supplements are a great way to boost your natural glow, especially at this time of year. In fact, a recent study by Absolute Collagen found that 80% of people taking collagen supplements said that their skin felt brighter.”
She adds: “It can be beneficial to take vitamin D supplements as well, particularly during the winter months, as the shorter days mean we don’t get enough high-quality sunlight for our body to make its own vitamin D.”
5. Be patient
“Being patient is perhaps the most important step in your winter arc,” Shotter says. “While we all want instant results the day after a new skincare step or supplement, the truth is, that visible results take time.”
That’s why it helps to celebrate your progress along the way: “Maybe your skin feels softer after a week of using a new moisturiser, or perhaps you’ve stuck to your morning routine for a full month. These wins are all a part of your journey, so make sure you give yourself some well-deserved credit.”