That festive sparkle can feel a million miles away when you're battling what many are calling the 'winter uglies'. As the arctic chill sets in and the days grow shorter, it's not just your social life that hibernates – your confidence can take a serious hit, too.
This phenomenon, coined by women online, describes the collective feeling of looking and feeling a bit drab during the gloomy winter months. It's that pale complexion, the chapped lips, the frizzy hair whipped by the wind, and the longing for summer's easy style.
What Exactly Are The Winter Uglies?
The term 'winter uglies' has gained traction on platforms like Reddit and TikTok, capturing the physical and mental slump many experience. It's the urge to become a hermit, swapping skincare routines and workouts for cosy Oodies and yet another re-run of your favourite comfort show.
While there's absolutely nothing wrong with some hibernation, for many, this shift in routine takes a toll. People report everything from breakouts and skin irritation to frizzy hair, weight gain, and a general loss of their spark.
Sana Khwaja, a BACP-accredited therapist at BetterHelp, isn't surprised by the term's emergence. 'It's not surprising to me that a term like "winter uglies" has emerged, as this time of year many will notice their mood dipping and it's common to experience a winter slump,' she explains.
The root cause is often biological. The lack of sunlight and vitamin D can cause a drop in serotonin, a key mood-stabilising hormone. This can leave you feeling sad, impact your sleep, and make you feel sluggish and less confident. 'It's not all in your head – there's a real biological and psychological component,' Sana assures.
Therapist Danny Greves adds that November and December can be particularly challenging as people reflect on the past year, sometimes with a sense of loss. For some, this can develop into seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a clinical form of depression that can be quite severe.
How to Boost Your Winter Wellbeing
While there's no magic wand, experts agree that small, consistent steps can make a world of difference to how you feel.
For your mental health, talking is key. Consider therapy or reach out to trusted loved ones for support. Sana Khwaja strongly advises getting outside for even brief moments of daylight and keeping your body moving. 'Maintaining gentle routines like exercise or creative activities can also help to mask the negative thoughts related to our appearance and serve as a distraction,' she says.
Other crucial steps include:
- Focusing on good sleep hygiene with a consistent routine.
- Eating a balanced, nutritious diet.
- Prioritising social interaction, even a quick phone call.
Reclaim Your Skin's Glow
If dry, irritated skin is your main winter woe, you're not alone. Dr. Derrick Phillips, a CeraVe consultant dermatologist, explains the science behind it. 'The combination of colder temperatures outside and the use of convection heating systems indoors leads to a reduction in air humidity which has a drying effect on the skin,' he tells us.
He also points out that those lovely hot showers are actually stripping essential oils from your skin. The solution isn't a cold plunge, but turning the temperature down to warm and reducing your shower time.
With reduced sebum production in winter, our skin barrier becomes compromised. 'A healthy skin barrier is essential for retaining moisture and protecting against external irritants,' Dr. Phillips emphasises.
His top tips for winter skin include:
- Swapping gel cleansers for a hydrating balm or cream formula.
- Transitioning to a heavier, emollient moisturiser with ingredients like ceramides.
- Reducing exfoliation to once a week or as needed to avoid sensitivity.
Real-World Tips from the Trenches
The online community is a treasure trove of practical advice for fighting the winter uglies. On Reddit, users share their success stories.
One user, u/squeakyfromage, wrote: 'Took a bath with bath oil, let a hair mask sit for an hour then coated myself with dry oil and moisturiser in an attempt to feel more human.'
Another, u/Wonderful-Frosting17, champions 'Spray tans, tan extenders, and red light therapy' for maintaining a glow.
TikToker @lvblackwell also swears by a bit of fake tan to boost her mood, a sentiment echoed by many who recommend quick wins like a professional blowout, a manicure, or threading your eyebrows.
When it comes to make-up, the consensus is to ditch matte products in favour of glowy, hydrating formulas and a touch of sparkly eyeshadow to mimic that summer radiance.
Ultimately, finding small things that bring you joy – whether it's a new hobby, 'dopamine dressing', or a coffee with a friend – can be the most powerful tool of all to help you feel like yourself again, even in the depths of winter.
