Dry January? Not for your skin!

Are you partaking in Dry January? While the month-long challenge is undoubtedly a good move for your health, we certainly don’t recommend it for your skin, especially as using moisturiser seems to have fallen out of fashion.

New research from skincare brand Hada Labo Tokyo has revealed that a third of UK women admit to skipping a nighttime skincare routine, while nearly a quarter don’t use moisturiser, despite 77 per cent worrying about visible ageing..

When it’s chilly and windy outside, moisture loss is inevitable. Add to that the natural moisture that’s stripped from the skin when exposed to dry and centrally heated environments, and suddenly you’ve got the perfect storm of dryness, irritation and dehydration, especially if the skin’s barrier becomes compromised.

“Colder weather, central heating, and lower humidity all deplete moisture from the skin barrier, leaving it more prone to irritation, dullness, and sensitivity,” shares Dr Lauren Jamieson, Founder, Dr Lauren Medical Aesthetics.

She recommends regular moisturising to help reinforce the skin’s natural protective layer, improve elasticity and maintain healthy cell turnover. “Well hydrated skin functions better, tolerates active ingredients more effectively, and looks smoother, brighter and more resilient. Think of it as a daily repair coat—essential during the winter months.”

If your client believes that they don’t need a moisturiser because they already have oily skin, they may want to reconsider, as not all product formulations are the same.

“Regular moisturising is essential for all skin types, but not all moisturisers are created equal—even oily or acne-prone skin needs hydration, particularly when exposed to drying conditions or active treatments like retinoids,” says Dr Jamieson.

The key, she emphasises, is choosing a formulation appropriate for your skin type: lightweight gel or humectant-based products for oily skin, richer occlusives for dry or compromised skin, and barrier-supporting creams for anyone using active ingredients or in-clinic treatments.

“Consistency is more important than quantity—moisturising daily supports long-term skin health across the board.”

Dr Jamieson’s winter hydration skincare essentials include HydroPeptide Cleansing Gel, a gentle cleanser that removes makeup, oil and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. “It’s a great starting point to cleanse while maintaining hydration, especially helpful in winter or for skin that’s been undergoing aesthetic treatments,” she says. HydroPeptide Daily Drench is another favourite: “This deeply hydrating serum replenishes moisture and helps lock it into the skin—it’s especially beneficial after cleansing or treatments, helping to support barrier function, improve skin elasticity, and keep skin plump and supple without adding oil.”

In clinic, Dr Jamieson turns to polynucleotides and skin boosters to combat the combination of cold weather and central heating, both of which can play havoc with skin, causing dryness and roughness. “Polynucleotides—small strings of DNA derived from fish—activate the skin’s collagen producing cells, as well as helping reduce inflammation and promoting the manufacture of uric acid, the skin’s natural ‘sponge’ for holding water in the tissues,” she says.

“Skin boosters revitalise by acting like injectable moisturisers to deliver hyaluronic acid directly into the skin, promoting hydration, plumpness, and attracting further water into the surface. The result is calm, hydrated, glowing skin, despite the harshness of the season!” Wigmore Medical’s National Sales Manager Kerrie Smythe, suggests adding hydrating masks and antioxidant products into your winter skincare regime. “It’s not only the body the needs a detox!” she shares.


She recommends HydroPeptide Power Serum and Firma-Bright Vitamin C Booster to work alongside your hydrating products, as well as HydroPeptide Hydrolock Sleep Mask which smooths skin with a layer of intense, restorative hydration, IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Overnight Masque and Dermaroller Intense Hydration Mask, as three moisture packed masks to try.

Oils are soothing and softening—12 precious oils make up the formulation of HydroPeptide Moisture Reset Phytonutrient Facial Oil, which Smythe advises using in combination with a Gua Sha tool. Her serum pick is Dermaroller XCellaris Pro HA Treat, which contains allantoin, panthenol, Matrixyl and copper tripeptide, alongside hyaluronic acid which locks moisture into the skin’s outer layer for several hours.

For those clients who need to address both volume loss and dehydration, IMAGE Skincare Vol.U.Lift is a good bet, says Smythe, who also recommends the luxurious IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème and IMAGE MD Restoring Power-C Serum, another hardworking antioxidant product.

For a punchy moisture boost, Wigmore Medical’s marketing team are fans of the reparative nourishing cream Barrier Builder, which penetrates deep into the epidermis, delivering a potent blend of ingredients that repair, hydrate and fortify skin—they also love the botanical extract-infused HydroPeptide Makeup Melt, a balm-like cleanser designed to dissolve all traces of makeup and impurities, while replenishing the skin’s natural barrier and leaving it super soft and nourished.

All products mentioned available to purchase now, login to your account to order.