How to Adjust Your Skincare Routine in the Winter

Image shared by @lidia_gusev_skincare

Given it’s the biggest organ in your body, your skin requires care and love to function well, both inside and out. That means eating nourishing foods that keep your skin healthy and glowing, drinking plenty of water, and using skincare products that help your skin, not harm it. Great beauty products applied as part of your winter skincare routine can both improve and maintain the quality of your skin during harsh winter months. 

Why You Should have a Skincare Routine

Having a regular skincare routine has multiple benefits, both physical and mental. Some of the benefits linked with regular skin care include: 

Preventing Problem Skin

Skincare products are designed to protect your skin from damage, be it UV rays or oxidative damage. Products like sunscreen provide a protective barrier that may help prevent the formation of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. Similarly, antioxidant rich products help keep your skin safe from oxidative damage. 

Correcting Existing Skincare Problems

There are many skincare products created for specific skin types and conditions. These include:

• Nourishing products for dry skin 
• Products that help with rosacea and eczema
• Oil-control products for oily skin that control and regulate the production of sebum
• Anti-acne creams and ointments to control acne
• Creams that may help deal with the acne scars

Improving and Maintaining Skin Quality 

Even if your skin does not have any noticeable issues, a regular skincare routine is beneficial for maintaining healthy skin, helping you keep that fresh-faced, dewy look for longer! 

Delaying the Effects of Aging

If you start early, a regular skincare routine may help delay some of the visible effects of aging. Many skincare products are rich in collagen-boosting ingredients, antioxidants, and retinoids. 

The benefits of making this regime a daily habit can include:

• Preventing loose skin
• Preventing wrinkles and fine lines 
• Preventing dry-looking, flaky skin

Allowing you to De-stress 

Engaging in a regular skin care routine may also be a therapeutic experience that benefits not only your physical health but also your mental well-being. It’s a great way to take a much-needed break at the end of the day, to recharge and get ready for your morning. It may boost confidence and help you feel relaxed and pampered. After all, who doesn’t like a little pampering? 

Why Your Skincare Routine Should Change in the Winter

Winter brings with it harsh, cold weather, which affects the condition of your skin. Cold temperatures are often low in humidity, which dries out the skin. Indoor heating systems can make the problem worse by dehydrating your skin even more. This can lead to uncomfortable dryness and even cracking. 

Your skin is different on every part of your body. For example, the skin on your nose, chin, and forehead holds more moisture and oil than other areas. The skin on your cheeks and the sides of your face are covered with a thin layer of epidermis and holds less moisture and oil.

That means those areas are vulnerable to damage caused by extreme weather fluxes, like dry skin and premature aging. Switching up your skincare routine seasonally is necessary as the needs of your skin change.

Adjusting Your Winter Skincare Routine

During cold months, focus on moisturizing your skin and protecting it from UV rays, especially on snow days. The snow often reflects the sun rays, even if you don’t feel it. Below are some of our best winter skin care tips for modifying your skincare routine.

Skip Foamy Cleansers 

When the air gets colder, replace your foaming cleanser with a cleaning balm, oil, or cream. These cleansers are effective at cleaning your skin and removing oil, dirt, and debris, without drying everything out like foaming cleansers sometimes do. 

Use a Gentle Exfoliator 

Key word is gentle! However, cold weather can create patches of dead skin on the skin, which means it’s beneficial to use a gentle exfoliator regularly if you want to keep your skin looking on point.

Moisturize

Arguably one of the most important steps in any winter skincare routine, you should slather on the moisturize both day and night. For added hydration, apply your moisturizer.on damp skin to seal it in the water. For the rest of your body, switch to a cream-based moisturizer instead of a light lotion formation. 

For dry, cracked skin, opt for a moisturizing balm like our own Calm and Heal Melting Balm. It’s designed to prevent and relieve chapped, cracked skin and protect it from the drying effects of winter.

Listen to Your Skin 

Regardless of season, the best thing you can ever do is pay attention and figure out what your skin needs most. If it’s dehydrated, try adding a hyaluronic acid serum or humectant like glycerin. If it’s dry and cracked, or breaking out, try using spot treatments or products like niacinamide to balance out oil production. Be sure to layer your skincare products properly to gain maximum benefit from them. Typically this means applying the lightest formulas first. 

Invest in Facial Oils 

Essential oils and oil-based facial serums can be ideal for winter months since they serve as occlusives and emollients that seal in moisture to help prevent skin from drying in the first place, while also providing nourishment. You can even make your own DIY face serum from home if you’re feeling thrifty.

Avoid Hot Showers 

As tempting as they are, try to avoid a hot shower or bath. Hot water temperatures can actually dry out your skin, which is definitely not the goal!

Remember that skincare products alone are not enough to keep your skin healthy without supporting your winter skincare routine with a healthy diet and habits. Try incorporating fresh fruits and veggies and aim for 8 glasses of water each day. Both can help keep your skin hydrated and nourished from the inside out, so you can bundle up and enjoy the winter! For additional health tips for winter, we’ve got you covered. 

Sources:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=b08a1bd6-986d-9520-e053-2995a90a865e&type=display

https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2017/02/6-ways-to-protect-your-skin-during-cold-weather/#:~:text=Cold%20temperatures%20and%20low%20humidity,during%20these%20cold%2C%20dry%20months.

https://availdermatology.com/why-should-you-have-a-skincare-routine/

https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-get-rid-of-dry-skin-winter-eye-cream-face-serum-mask-scrub

https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/winter-skincare

https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/skincare-and-fragrances/2015102927965/top-tips-for-looking-after-your-skin-this-winter/