Winter skincare in Melbourne: common skin issues and how to treat them.
Winter in Melbourne brings cool air, unpredictable weather, and a drop in humidity — all of which can affect your skin’s health, texture, and resilience. For many, this season means more than dry hands and tightness. It can also trigger sensitivity, irritation, and accelerated signs of ageing.
At Botanica Wellness Spa & Clinic, we support our clients through Melbourne’s seasonal transitions with evidence-based, professional skincare. This guide explores why winter impacts the skin, what symptoms to look out for, and how to manage and prevent damage with the right treatments, both in clinic and at home.
Why winter affects your skin in Melbourne
Melbourne’s winters are unique compared to other Australian cities. The temperature drops quickly, indoor heating is used frequently, and the weather can swing from crisp dry air to cold damp conditions in a single day. These fluctuations impact the skin in several ways:
Cold air and indoor heating
Winter air holds less humidity, which leads to faster water loss from the skin. Indoor heating compounds this by drying out the air further, causing dehydration and irritation.
Slower oil production222
Colder weather slows the activity of your sebaceous (oil) glands. This means your skin’s natural barrier, its first line of defence, becomes weaker and less effective.
Decreased circulation
Blood flow to the skin surface decreases in cooler temperatures, which can reduce oxygen and nutrient delivery, contributing to dullness and delayed healing.
Most common winter skin concerns we see in clinic
Dryness and dehydration
What causes it: Low humidity and reduced oil production
Signs: Tightness, flaking, rough patches, dullness
Our recommendation: Hydration Restoration Facial or targeted winter moisturising products like SOS Relief Cream
Sensitivity and barrier disruption
What causes it: Repeated exposure to wind, hot showers, and indoor heating
Signs: Redness, itching, stinging after cleansing, reactions to normally tolerated products
Our recommendation: Barrier-repair facials and anti-inflammatory skincare solutions tailored to your skin’s response
Accelerated ageing
What causes it: Lack of hydration, reduced turnover, and slower collagen production
Signs: Fine lines, uneven texture, reduced firmness
Our recommendation: Intensive Renewal or Complete Skin Reset Facial with ingredients like peptides and collagen boosters
Professional skincare treatments at Botanica
We offer a tiered approach to winter skin care, personalised to match the level of concern you're experiencing.
Winter self-care package
For the ultimate seasonal reset, our Winter Self-Care Package delivers 90 minutes of tailored treatment designed to deeply relax and rejuvenate. Enjoy a soothing back, neck and shoulder massage, a tension-relieving foot massage, and a customised facial to restore your skin’s glow through winter. A complimentary 30-minute de-stress foot massage (valued at $99) is included.
Perfect for when your body and skin are feeling the chill.
Book here
Hydrate & Glow Skin Treatment Plan
If your skin is feeling dry, dull or out of balance this winter, our Hydrate & Glow Treatment Plan offers a transformative solution. Designed to replenish moisture, boost collagen and visibly brighten your complexion, this advanced skin treatment series combines the power of LED light therapy with high-performance paramedical skincare.
Each 60-minute session includes a tailored O Cosmedics peel and a cooling alginate rubber mask to deeply nourish, smooth fine lines, and restore radiance. With six signature peels to choose from — layered and customised based on your skin’s unique needs — it’s a personalised pathway to stronger, clearer and more luminous skin.
This winter skin series includes:
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4 x 60-Minute Advanced LED Facials
4 x free O Cosmedics Skin Peel Upgrades (valued at $200) -
1 x free REVEAL Imager Skin Consultation & Analysis on completion (valued at $100)
This is an ideal treatment plan if you're looking for visible results and long-term skin health during the colder months.
Our most recommended winter skincare products
These are the clinic-grade essentials our aestheticians use and recommend for winter:
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Dynamic Resurfacing Serum: Gently supports exfoliation and cell turnover
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Advanced Collagen Booster: Restores firmness and hydration
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SOS Relief Cream: Soothes and protects irritated or sensitive skin
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Resurfacing Gel Mask: Weekly use helps clear dead skin cells and hydrate
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Peel & Reset Treatment: Professional-only exfoliation for severe winter damage
Each is integrated into our treatments and available for home care — with personalised guidance from your therapist.
At-home skincare for Melbourne winters
Professional facials are a great foundation, but consistent home care extends results between treatments.
Morning
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Cleanse with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser
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Apply serum (e.g. Dynamic Resurfacing)
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Use Collagen Booster or barrier cream
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Finish with broad-spectrum SPF
Evening
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Cleanse thoroughly (especially after time outdoors or in heating)
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Apply night treatments (e.g. SOS Relief Cream)
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Use a hydrating mask 1–2x per week
If you’re unsure where to start, our team offers in-person and virtual skin consultations.
Why local expertise matters
Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that’s especially true in Melbourne. Between the city’s unpredictable winter conditions and the added impact of air pollution, your skin needs targeted support that adapts to the environment.
At Botanica, our Melbourne-based team understands the seasonal stressors unique to this region. That means more tailored advice, climate-aware treatments, and real-world results.
Book your winter skincare consultation
You don’t have to wait for dryness or irritation to become a problem. Preventative winter skin care can help you maintain radiance, protect your skin barrier, and reduce long-term damage.
Book your winter treatment here or call us to schedule your personalised consultation.