Your wardrobe isn’t the only thing you should switch, as Winter approaches. Those lightweight gel moisturizers and charcoal cleansers that worked just fine in September might not cut it in the upcoming months.
As colder temperatures approach, dry air, frigid winds, and constant exposure to indoor heat suck the moisture from your skin, stripping it of oils essential for healthy skin barrier function. These conditions can also spark skin sensitivity, redness, and irritation. Hence, a regimen shakeup is due.
Here are Sunday’s foolproof tips to amp up your skincare regimen and prepare for Winter!
Moisturize
The cold air depletes the skin of moisture. Therefore, moisturizing often is the key to keeping the skin hydrated and soft. Instead of lotions, cream-based and petroleum-based products are better for normal to dry skin. It’s best to apply moisturizer on slightly damp skin as it traps surface moisture. Even people with oily skin should use a light unscented moisturizer. If you don’t have oily skin, Slugging in Winters is also a great option!
Transition To Cream And Oil Based Cleansers
While foaming, bubbly cleansers are fun to apply, they’re not doing your skin any favors. Cleansing creams, balms, and oils can effectively wash the skin while keeping the skin hydrated and not disrupting the skin barrier.
Add A Good Exfoliator
The benefits of exfoliation—when done right—are no secret. Gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells accumulated from dry winter air, leaving your skin looking more glowy and helping your post-cleaning moisturizer absorb better. That being said, don’t overdo it! While exfoliating can help brighten the skin by removing dead cells, overdoing it can disrupt the outer skin layer, leading to dryness and irritation. Exfoliate once per week, and advance to twice weekly if you can tolerate it.
Don’t Forget Your SPF!
Just because the sun isn’t shining as bright, does not mean it won’t damage your skin. People often tend to skip SPF during winter. Our skin can be damaged by UV rays all around the year. Use a mineral-based SPF for its lightness, breathability, and ease of use.
Cut Down Prolonged Hot Showers
While winter weather seems like the optimal time for a long, hot bath, resist the urge. Prolonged contact with hot water can strip skin of its natural moisture, leaving you even drier. Take brief lukewarm showers no more than once per day, and immediately after the shower, while your skin is damp, apply rich moisturizers to lock in hydration. Use enough to leave your skin feeling well-hydrated, which means you may need to apply more than in the summer months.
If your skin is flakier than usual, try dry brushing, a ritual that involves rubbing your skin with a brush in a light, circular motion. The mechanical action works wonders for exfoliating dry winter skin and promoting lymphatic drainage. Plus, it’s one heck of a self-massage.
Layer Your Skincare
Think of skincare applications like outerwear for your skin: Just like you layer clothing to keep warm in cooler months, your skin needs the same to prevent over-drying. For a quick explainer on how to layer skincare, a good rule of thumb is to layer lightest to heaviest (watery toner first, serum second, and moisturizer third).
Some hot ingredients to look out for in the cold are ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and botanical oils. When used in conjunction, they soothe inflammation, restore hydration, and strengthen the skin barrier.
Incorporate An 0vernight Mask
Designed to be the final step of your nighttime skin regimen, overnight masks help lock in all those serums, creams, and oils applied earlier. Overnight masking is also a great opportunity to incorporate more targeted treatments to your skin. For example, those with eczema may benefit from ingredients like ceramides and aloe, while those seeking anti-aging benefits may choose a night mask infused with retinol