Why the ‘winter arc’ trend is worth trying
A winter arc glow-up is seemingly the goal of the season; the viral TikTok trend is showing no signs of slowing down and it looks set to make the traditional new year’s resolution (or the preceding September reset) almost obsolete. Beyond the hashtag, there’s method in the goal-setting movement according to experts, as long yours is a gentle arc rather than a punishing new regime. Allow us to explain the concept, and how it could have a subtle but transformative effect on your winter wellbeing and beauty routines.
What is the winter arc trend?
The winter arc refers to a three-month period of intention-setting between October and January, revolving around fitness and wellbeing. Winter arc ‘challenges’ range from the specific (walk 10,000 steps, write a journal entry every day) to the more general (eat well, drink less). Some people commit to the winter arc as a dedicated, disciplined wellbeing programme from 1 October to 1 January, while others approach it as an opportunity to reflect and establish new habits at a slower, more considered pace than the conventional new year’s resolution.
Following a winter arc also means that habits are already established by the time that January arrives, so in theory you’ll need to flex your willpower far less during a month that’s often arduous enough as it is. The founder of Nobu Pilates, Marsha Lindsay, puts it simply. “I’m not usually a fan of wellbeing trends or fads, but this one offers a valuable framework for personal growth. It helps sustain motivation through the colder months, as long as you use the time to celebrate progress rather than striving for perfection, which can lead to burnout.”
What are the benefits of the winter arc?
The nutritionist, naturopath, former athlete and founder of Artah, Rhian Stephenson, believes that there’s wisdom in the winter arc. “Altering your routine as you progress into winter is important and can help you stay in tune with your biological rhythm” she says. “It’s also a good way to adapt to the challenges that we naturally face at this time of year. The drastic change in light can affect our circadian rhythm, which in turn makes us feel more fatigued, and a US study shows that 58 per cent of people are less active during the colder, darker months.” A winter arc can help to mitigate the gloom and establish healthy coping strategies in the face of SAD, cold and flu season, and everything else that winter throws at us.
Shabir Daya, the pharmacist and co-founder of Victoria Health, agrees that a winter arc offers a soft launch into new routines; “allowing for small, sustainable habits to become gradually ingrained.” “You can build momentum towards a goal rather than take an ‘all or nothing’ approach,” he adds. “This way, you’re not overwhelmed by dramatic lifestyle shifts and the pressures that come with them in January.”
Stephenson thinks that it’s also psychologically empowering to feel proactive, rather than reactive, heading into the new year. “The run up to Christmas can be overwhelming and bring potential stress, so it’s good to have your mind and body prepared.”
How to start a winter arc
The first thing to note is that a winter arc should be personal to you, your circumstances, and any goals you might have in mind. A prescriptive TikTok bootcamp is likely to be unattainable and tough to stick to, so keep your plan positive, balanced and flexible in line with the demands of both the season and everyday life.
If your ideal winter arc is fitness-orientated, be mindful that your energy levels will likely take a hit at this time of year, so Stephenson recommends making goals as easy to stick to and enjoyable as possible. “We get less fresh air during the wintertime, which can affect both our mood and our fitness, so invest in some activewear you love so that you feel more comfortable moving outside when it’s cold and raining.” She also advocates at-home barre and yoga workouts both for their fitness benefits and to reap the benefits of stress-relieving breathwork (not commuting to a class also minimises stress when life’s busy).
As for diet, Stephenson’s advice is to prioritise filling your plate. “Make sure you're eating enough. In the summer, the warm weather and lighter days can make us feel more energised, but a lot of people try to stick to the same nutrition patterns in the winter as they do in the summer, and it doesn’t work as well,” she explains. “Summer salads won't feel as nourishing or satiating in the winter, so make sure you're including more substantial, warming whole foods, like slowly cooked lentils or beans, and healthier grains like barley or buckwheat.”
“Begin your winter arc plan by doing a quick audit to see if you’ve noticed a change in your diet. Ask yourself whether you’re fuelling yourself well; it’s so important during the winter months,” she highlights. Her top tips include boosting your protein and fibre intake, upping your servings of fruit and vegetables to enhance energy and immunity, and adding fermented foods to your diet to support gut health. Nurturing gut health is especially key during winter, according to Daya, as “a high percentage of our immunity comes from beneficial gut bacteria; they produce compounds that defend against infections”. Daya suggests adding probiotic-rich foods to your basket, and probiotic supplements can bolster your defences too (try DoSe Mega Probio, which Daya himself formulated).
Stephenson agrees that a probiotic supplement can also be a valuable addition if you’re recovering from a winter bug (Bazaar loves Artah Biome Restore), and that in itself is a good reason to keep any winter arc goals in perspective or put them on pause.
If you do get struck down, “take time to recover,” she urges. “Getting hit with an illness can be incredibly boring, so by the time the symptoms disappear, most people are itching to get out. This is understandable, but what we're never really told is that our microbiome and internal environment can take weeks or sometimes even months to recover, so it's important to be patient and proactively ease back in. Increase gut support and don’t go hard the moment a fever is gone. If you need to take painkillers to go out or hit the gym, you're not ready!”
How the winter arc benefits your beauty routine
The winter arc idea needn’t just apply to wellbeing; it can be a useful framework for planning skincare switch-ups and in-clinic treatments, too.
If you’re considering a laser facial treatment or laser hair removal, it offers the perfect window according to skin and laser expert Debbie Thomas. “Most energy-based devices like lasers need a few sessions to build up to the full result. It often takes several months to see the full extent of the skin-revitalising process, so starting now will give you the freshest skin for spring.”
Reduced UV exposure means that it’s the ideal time to address issues such as hyperpigmentation and redness, too. “Our newest laser, the Again laser, is especially brilliant for tackling both of these concerns,” says Thomas. “Three-to-four sessions are carried out over a three-month period, with results continuing to develop for several months after the last session. You’ll see more even and brighter skin over time, and many of my clients are planning to go make-up free by the time the weather’s warmer.”
As for laser hair removal, “you’re looking at months to get to the end of a package of sessions and it takes up to two weeks for the existing hairs to fall out after each appointment,” says Thomas. “For that reason, it’s best to plan ahead of the summertime in order to achieve your desired results by then.”
Dr Catherine Fairris, the president of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine, highlights that a winter arc approach is ideal for the likes of chemical peels, too. “A course of superficial chemical peels from October onwards can really get your skin looking great for the party season. They can be a fantastic treatment for hyperpigmentation, acne, acne scarring and general skin rejuvenation, and you don’t have to approach them with quite as much caution as you do during the summer months.”
“Microneedling also works beautifully at this time of year”, Dr Fairris says. “Downtime is relatively short but best results are seen with a course of three-to-six treatments. It can even out skin tone, reduce the size of pores and treat everything from superficial lines to wrinkles and scars. It works well for the neck, décolletage, torso and back of hands as well.” Given that it’s easier to keep these areas under wraps post-treatment in the winter, aftercare is that bit more straightforward.
As for your skincare regime, “topical skincare protocols that target pigmentation in the form of melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and uneven skintone or sunspots are especially worthwhile ‘winter arc’ additions,” adds Dr Fairris.
Daniel Isaacs, the chief product officer at Medik8, also recommends using the winter arc to “switch to richer, more nourishing formulations, such as those packed with peptides, vitamin C, ceramides, or vitamin A. Stepping up these ingredients will help to restore skin’s vitality and promote a healthier, more radiant complexion. The focus should be on replenishing moisture, protecting from the effects of colder weather, and boosting skin’s resilience – ensuring it remains nourished and balanced through the months ahead.”
The winter arc concept is helpful as skin often needs this kind of timeframe to gradually adjust to retinol, for example, and seasonal shifts may make skin more prone to dehydration or irritation. “It’s really important to follow up strong skincare actives with a soothing, hydrating moisturiser to replenish the skin barrier,” says Isaacs. The takeaway? Try your own winter arc but incorporate plenty of TLC.
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