Yes, Your Winter Skin Needs a Stronger Skincare Routine
When the temps fall the first thing we think of is changing our wardrobe and bringing in comfy layers and cozy fabrics. It may be news to you but it’s also important to rejig your skincare routine so that you can protect and prime your skin for the colder temps!
So, check out these key tips about how and why you should rebalance your home skincare routine just in time for the cold months ahead.
Why should I do it?
It’s simple. Your skin is a living, breathing organ and, just like any organ, it sometimes needs help adapting to the elements that surround it. So, when your skin is surrounded by heat and humidity, it doesn’t want heavy moisturizers and oils as they can clog pores and cause inflammation and acne. But when the temps drop, it means that colder air outside (and of course all that dry heating indoors) is moving in and onto your skin. In order to keep your skin fresh and primed, you need to up the ante when it comes to your skin’s hydration needs.
What should I do?
These key steps below will give you the how and why so you can give your skin some extra TLC this winter. And don’t fret; it’s not that different from your existing summer skincare routine…it just has a bit more oomph.
Cleanse
It goes without saying. Be it summer, spring, winter or fall, cleansing your skin should always be on your to-do list. Sorry, just because it’s cold in the bedroom doesn’t mean you can skip the cleanse and hop into bed. Nope. Nope. Nope.
Moisturize & Apply Serums
Getting an intensive moisturizer into your skincare routine is essential. Serums are also important as they support the skin barrier and make it more resistant to colder temps (and dry indoor heating). You want to attract the moisture to your dermis and keep it there. How? It’s all in the details – the ingredients.
Humectants: Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are key humectants that specialize in extracting water from the deeper layers of your skin and moving them up to your stratum corneum (which is the outer layer of your skin).
Emollients: Emollients (like oils) soften the skin by filling spaces between skin flakes to create a smooth surface. Think of your skin as the dry soil that you may find your dried-out plants sitting in (yes, we’ve all been there, no judgement). Now think how therapeutic it is to see all the cracks fill in once you’ve given it the watering it needs. This is happening to your skin as well – it needs emollients and you’ll find they feel good too!
Occlusives: Occlusives form a protective barrier on the skin that prevents or slows down transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and keeps moisture locked in so your skin can drink it.
Exfoliate
Exposure to the cold outdoor air combined with the dry indoor heat can dry out your skin cells. Therefore, you need to get rid of the dead skin cells more often than you would normally do during the hotter months. Ditch your duller complexion by increasing your exfoliation routine to approximately twice a week.
And Sun Protection!
This should be 365 days of the year, people. Always protect your skin from harmful UV rays with broad-spectrum sunscreen. Winter, spring, summer or fall.
What You Can Try:
What: Ultimate Boost Serum
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Why: A lightweight serum that boosts hydration and enhances the skin’s natural hydrolipid barrier with sodium hyaluronate and niacinamide.
