Oxidative stress and glycation: Why skin looks “off” in winter (and what helps)

If your skin feels a bit… different in winter, you’re not imagining it.

You might notice:

• less glow
• uneven tone
• makeup not sitting quite right
• dryness and congestion at the same time
• skin feeling less resilient than it used to

Cold weather plays a part, but often there are bigger drivers underneath: oxidative stress — and, for many of us, glycation too.

In this blog, I’ll explain what both mean (in normal human language), why they’re linked to skin ageing, and the daily steps that make the biggest difference.

What is oxidative stress?

Oxidative stress is basically skin under pressure.

Every day, your skin meets “stressors” such as:

• UV exposure (even on cloudy days)
• pollution
• smoking (or second-hand smoke)
• poor sleep and chronic stress
• inflammation

These stressors increase free radicals—unstable molecules that can gradually damage skin structures over time.

When free radicals build up faster than your skin can neutralise them, we call that oxidative stress.

And what about glycation?

Glycation is sometimes called “sugar stress”.

It happens when sugars bind to proteins like collagen and elastin. Over time, this can make those fibres stiffer and less springy, which can contribute to:

• skin looking less smooth
• dullness and a flatter tone
• lines appearing more etched
• a general sense that your skin isn’t bouncing back the way it used to

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about understanding what’s happening, so your skincare choices actually support the skin you’re in.

Why winter often makes it more noticeable

Winter can be when people suddenly think: “What’s going on with my skin?”

Common reasons include:

• lower humidity and indoor heating (barrier feels drier and more reactive)
• less consistent SPF use
• over-exfoliating to “bring back glow” (often backfires)
• hydration shifts that change how light reflects off the surface

So winter isn’t the cause of everything — but it can highlight stress that’s already there.

The good news: you can support “skin defence” with a simple routine

You don’t need a complicated routine. You need consistent controllables.

Here are the four I focus on most in clinic:

1) Cleanse properly (especially at night)

If makeup, SPF and daily build-up aren’t removed well, your skin can look more uneven and feel less comfortable.

A simple win: cleanse thoroughly at night (double-cleanse if you wear makeup/SPF). Keep morning cleansing gentle if you’re prone to dryness.

2) Use antioxidants in the morning (think: daily shield)

Antioxidants help neutralise free radicals from UV and pollution exposure.

In skincare, this often looks like vitamin C in the morning—not because it’s magic overnight, but because it supports long-term resilience and brightness.

3) Add a “biometric shield” style defence step morning and night

This is the bit many people miss.

Oxidative stress and glycation aren’t only daytime issues. They’re ongoing processes, which is why I often build routines with a supportive defence serum used twice daily — morning and evening.

In clinic, one example I use is Alumier Alumience AGE. It’s designed to support the skin against environmental stress and help with the glycation process that contributes to visible ageing. Used consistently, it can be a really helpful step when skin looks dull, uneven, or less resilient.

If you’re unsure what’s right for your skin, this is exactly the sort of thing we can tailor during a consultation, based on your skin and your goals.

You can book a consultation here

4) Wear broad-spectrum SPF daily

This is one of the most effective long-term steps you can take for skin ageing and pigmentation.

UV exposure is a major driver of oxidative stress, and daily sunscreen is a quiet kind of future-proofing.

A quick checklist: signs your skin needs more “defence” right now

If you’ve noticed any of these, it usually means your skin would benefit from a calmer, more protective approach:

• dullness and uneven tone
• reactivity to products you used to tolerate
• dryness that doesn’t fully settle
• makeup clinging or separating
• feeling like you’re doing “lots” but not getting the glow back

This is where personalised guidance helps—because the fix for dullness isn’t always “more exfoliation”, and the fix for dryness isn’t always “a richer moisturiser”.

When in-clinic treatments can support skin (without replacing skincare)

Skincare is the foundation. Treatments can support results, particularly for texture, pores, scarring or more established lines.

Depending on your skin and goals, I might discuss options like:

• microneedling (for skin remodelling and texture support)
• chemical peels (for refinement and clarity, chosen carefully)

But the order matters: barrier first, then results.

A simple 2-week reset I often recommend

If your routine feels a bit chaotic, try this:

• cleanse properly at night
• focus on hydration + barrier comfort
• use antioxidants in the morning (often vitamin C)
• add a defence step morning and night if tone looks uneven or skin feels less resilient
• wear SPF daily
• reintroduce retinol gradually if you use it

It doesn’t need to be intense. It needs to be consistent.

Trust in the process.