If you live in Newquay, your skin has a tough job from now until spring.
One minute you're on the coast path with an Atlantic wind in your face. The next you're in the water at Fistral in a hood and 5mm suit, then home to a hot shower and the heating on full. It's a lot of back and forth for the body's biggest organ.
Most of us notice it around now. Skin feels tighter, a bit duller, rougher on the hands and face. So this week we're talking winter skin: why it changes, the simple everyday habits that make a difference, and where red light therapy (RLT) fits for people who want to add something to their routine.
Why skin struggles in a Cornish winter
There's no mystery to it. Cold air and strong wind pull moisture from the skin, and we get plenty of both here.
Then there's the indoor side. Central heating lowers the humidity in your home, so you go from wet and windy outside to warm and dry inside. Long, hot showers and regular soap can strip away the skin's natural oils too, and rough wool jumpers right against the skin don't help.
For surfers, swimmers and anyone braving a winter dip, add salt water and repeated rinsing into the mix. None of this is cause for worry. It just means your skin appreciates a little more care at this time of year.
The basics that do the heavy lifting
Before anything else, the free stuff matters most. Patient.info's winter skin guidance, reviewed by a GP, recommends a few easy habits:
Choose a shorter shower over a long, hot bath, and swap regular soap for a fragrance-free soap substitute.
Pat your skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing.
Put moisturiser on while your skin is still slightly damp, and top it up two or three times a day, because the effect only lasts a few hours. Moisturise your hands every time you wash them.
Use a richer cream at night, and wear soft, breathable fabrics like cotton next to your skin.
If you're out on the water or the hills, keep up sensible sun protection on bright days too, even in winter.
And if your skin is very sore, cracked or just not right, have a chat with your GP or pharmacist. That's always the first port of call.
How red light therapy works, in plain English
Red light therapy, sometimes called photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. It's not a tanning bed. There's no UV involved.
The idea is that this light is absorbed by the mitochondria, the tiny energy-producing parts inside your cells. A review from researchers at Harvard Medical School's Wellman Center for Photomedicine describes how, in lab and clinical research, this light appears to support cellular energy production and blood flow in the skin.
On the skin side specifically, research is still developing. One controlled trial of 136 volunteers, published in 2014, gave participants regular sessions under red or broader-spectrum light. The researchers reported that, compared with a control group, treated participants showed improvements in skin complexion, skin feel, roughness and measured collagen density.
It's worth keeping that in proportion. It's one study, and the wider evidence is still growing. We'd rather be honest about that than overpromise. What we can say is that many people use red light therapy as part of their skincare and wellness routine, especially when their skin is feeling the effects of the season.
Building a winter skin routine that actually sticks
The best routine is the one you'll keep doing. A few ideas that work for real, busy lives:
Pair habits together. Moisturise straight after your post-surf rinse, or as part of brushing your teeth at night. Linking it to something you already do makes it automatic.
Look after the inside too. Drinking enough water, eating plenty of fruit, veg and healthy fats, and getting decent sleep all support how you feel day to day, skin included.
Mind the heating. Keep the thermostat comfortable rather than tropical, and air rooms out when you can.
Think consistency, not intensity. That goes for RLT as well. People who enjoy it tend to fit regular, short sessions into their week rather than doing lots at once and then stopping. It sits alongside your basics, not instead of them.
What to expect at NextGen Wellness
Our red light therapy sessions are 20 minutes on a 360° full-body bed using five wavelengths, so you don't need to sit in front of a panel moving it around. You lie back, relax, and the light reaches you from all sides.
A couple of quick prep notes, because they matter for skin in particular. Come with clean skin on the areas being treated: no make-up, moisturiser, sunscreen, oils or heavy creams on the day. Skip alcohol, caffeine and smoking beforehand, and leave jewellery and metal accessories at home. We'll provide protective eyewear, which you wear throughout. Then you can moisturise as normal afterwards.
If you're also curious about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, lots of people pair a session of each in the same visit. We're always happy to talk you through how that might fit around your week, your training or your time in the water.
FAQ
Is red light therapy the same as a sunbed? No. Red light therapy uses red and near-infrared light, not UV, so it doesn't tan your skin.
Can I wear skincare products during a red light therapy session? It's best not to. Come with clean skin, free of make-up, moisturiser, sunscreen and oils on the treated areas. You can apply your usual products straight after.
How often do people use red light therapy in winter? It varies from person to person. Many people prefer regular, short sessions across the week rather than occasional long ones. We can help you find a rhythm that suits you at your consultation.
Thinking about giving your skin a bit of extra care this winter? You're very welcome to book a consultation through our website. It's 30 minutes in clinic at Prow Park, including a free 15-minute HBOT taster, and a relaxed chat about red light therapy and whether it suits your routine. No pressure, just a friendly conversation.
Recovery, and a bit of self-care, shouldn't be a luxury.
Zac & the NextGen Wellness team 🌿
Sources
Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 2014;32(2):93–100. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24286286/
Avci P, Gupta A, Sadasivam M, Vecchio D, Pam Z, Pam N, Hamblin MR. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2013;32(1):41–52. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4126803/
Patient.info. Your winter skin: how to look after it (peer reviewed by Dr Colin Tidy MRCGP, updated 3 November 2025). https://patient.info/features/skin-conditions/your-winter-skin