"You never know what the unpredictable UK weather will do next, but it's important to adapt your skincare as the seasons change," says Aesthetic Nurse Anna Baker.

"You may notice your skin becomes drier than normal, more susceptible to irritation and inflammation and looks lacklustre due to the increased time spent indoors, as well as the cooler temperatures.

"Central heating and hot showers can play a part, so these combined factors can take a toll on your face and body."

1. Balancing act

It's all about balancing hydration, but instead of using more product, switch up how you use your current ones. Shift gear by layering textures and the types of formulas you are using. Post-summer skin can be tired, stressed and sun damaged, so in this transitional time build your skin's protective lipid barrier. Put away light gels and lotions and reach for something richer. There is naturally less humidity in the air so a comforting cream is best for colder months to protect skin from the elements and to prevent dehydration. If you suffer from very dry skin, it's worth layering, for example, a serum before cream to lock it in. Consider adding a gentle cream cleanser to your daily regime to gently clean and hydrate. "While skin craves hydration year round, the colder air means ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin and ceramides work brilliantly to lock in moisture and keep things silky and soft," says Anna.

2. Hit of hyaluronic

"If you feel your skin needs a kick-start, try a course of collagen stimulating treatment such as Profhilo," suggests Anna. With the highest available concentration of ultra pure hyaluronic acid, without the addition of chemicals, it promises a proven and long-lasting bio-stimulation to the skin,  to counteract signs of dullness, poor skin quality and to stimulate collagen and elastin. It also offers tightening for skin laxity and can be used on the face and body.

3. Vitamin see

For health and wellbeing, vitamin supplements are important, and adding a specific formula to your daily regimen is a perfect way to nourish skin from the inside out. Anna recommends Skinade, which is a peach and mangosteen flavoured daily skin supplement. It is proven to boost your body's natural production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which improves skin's elasticity and appearance at around 30 days. The drink is formulated with essential micronutrients, collagen peptides, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, MSM, L-lysine and omegas 3 & 6.  

4. Lighten up

If you need to address a specific skin concern such as ageing, acne, eczema or psoriasis, consider Demalux. This non-invasive treatment uses clinically proven therapeutic light energy (LED) to trigger the skins' natural rejuvenation and repair processes without pain or downtime. "This technology helps to boost collagen production, increase hydration, calm redness and irritation and reduce blemish-causing bacteria, so it's the ideal treatment at this time of year when conditions such as rosacea can flare up," says Anna.

5. Bright side

As well as stepping up your skincare for additional hydration, gentle exfoliation is key post-summer to ensure turnover of dull skin cells. "Look for ingredients such as PHAs and Bionics that are advanced multi-mechanism ingredients which protect the skin at cellular level, while brightening through their gentle exfoliating properties. Similarly there are a number of advanced vitamin A formulations, specially formulated to deliver high strength anti-ageing benefits with minimal, or no irritation. LG-Retinex complex in Serum 24 from Cosmedix and AlphaRet from Skinbetter Science are my favourites," Anna adds.

To book an appointment or virtual consultation with Anna Baker, visit our Find an Expert section.