216 reviews
Updated April 2026 · about a 6 minute read
Winter here is quietly harsh, so hydration does most of the heavy lifting.
The short answer
Australian winter is quietly harsh on skin. Lower humidity, indoor heating, hot showers and UV that is still around all pull moisture out faster than your skin can replace it. The fix is not a routine overhaul, just smarter hydration. Browse hydrating PDRN serums.
Australian winter does not get enough credit for how hard it is on your skin. It is not dramatic like a Scandinavian freeze, it is subtler, which is exactly why most people do not adjust their routine until they are sitting at their desk in July wondering why their face feels like cardboard. Here is what actually changes, and how to adjust without overcomplicating things.
What winter does to your skin
Lower humidity. Even on the Gold Coast, humidity drops noticeably from April through September; in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth it drops a lot more. Lower humidity means your skin loses moisture to the air faster than it can replace it.
Indoor heating. Offices, cars and bedrooms pump out dry, heated air that strips moisture all day. You might be outside for 20 minutes, but you are in artificially dried air for eight hours.
Hot showers. Longer, hotter showers strip the skin's natural oils faster than lukewarm water, leaving your barrier feeling the hit.
UV that is still there. Australian winter UV is lower than summer, but still a good deal higher than winter UV in Europe or North America. You still need SPF, every day.
How to adjust your routine
1. Add a hydration layer
If you use PDRN on its own in summer, winter is the time to add hyaluronic acid underneath it. Order: cleanse, HA on damp skin, PDRN serum on top, then moisturiser. The HA pulls moisture to the surface, the PDRN supports calm, comfortable looking skin, and the moisturiser seals it in. More on the pairing: PDRN vs Hyaluronic Acid.
2. Go one step richer on moisturiser
Gel in summer? Switch to a cream in winter. Light cream? Step up to a medium one, just one weight class up. At night you can go richer still, since you are not layering SPF on top.
3. Shorten and cool your showers
Lukewarm is kinder than hot; five minutes is kinder than fifteen. Turn the temperature down a notch and get out a little sooner, your skin will notice within a week.
Winter skin does not need a new routine, it needs the one you have, one step richer.
Winter mistakes to avoid
Skipping SPF, winter UV is still high enough to matter. Over exfoliating, winter flakiness is usually a hydration issue, not dead skin, so add moisture rather than scrubbing. Switching your whole routine at once, change one thing at a time. Forgetting lips and hands, the thinner skin there loses moisture even faster.
The winter routine, simplified
Morning: gentle cleanser → hyaluronic acid (if you use it) → VITARAN PDRN serum → cream moisturiser → SPF 50 or higher.
Evening: double cleanse (if you wore SPF or makeup) → VITARAN → richer moisturiser.
Same core as summer, just a slightly heavier moisturiser and an optional hydration layer. Simple adjustments, meaningful results. Full guide: How Often Should You Use PDRN?
CureNex Salmon DNA Rejuvenating Face Cream 120ml
A richer moisturiser that seals in hydration through the dry winter months, on its own or layered over your PDRN serum.
$79 AUDAfterpay available · free shipping over $150Shop the face cream →
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need SPF in an Australian winter?
Yes. Australian winter UV is lower than summer but still high enough to matter, so wear a broad spectrum SPF every day, all year round.
Why is my skin flaky in winter even though I moisturise?
Winter flakiness is usually a hydration issue rather than dead skin. Add a hydrating layer, like hyaluronic acid under a PDRN serum, rather than exfoliating more.
Should I change my whole routine for winter?
No, keep the same core and just go one step richer on moisturiser and add a hydration layer. Change one product at a time so you can tell what is helping.
Disclaimer: these are cosmetics, not therapeutic goods, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Always patch test; not suitable for those with fish allergies.
