As winter rolls in, we typically swap out our wardrobe for something more weather appropriate. It is essential that we do the same with our beauty and skincare routine. Has your skin recently seemed dull, or maybe it’s breaking out? The seasonal change in the weather is likely to blame. Not to mention, there’s a chance you’re indoors more often with the heat on. That means your skin will need a bit more hydration.
Reduce Retinols & Acids
Reducing retinols and acids to gentler forms will be essential for your skin. Our skin becomes more sensitive and drier during the colder months. While many people think that exfoliating your skin can worsen the dryness, it’s actually important to keep in your skincare routine. However, the strengths of the exfoliants should be toned down to avoid any potential irritation.
Rather than using an exfoliating scrub, consider using a chemical exfoliant to help treat tight and flaky skin, as well as improving your skin’s moisture retention. Look for the most gentle AHA available, which is mandelic acid.
Introducing Oils
As we make our way outdoors into the colder temperatures and back into our heated homes, it disrupts our skin’s moisture balance. This means our skin can become flakier and drier in the cooler months. Introducing beneficial oils into your skincare routine will nourish our skin on a short-term level, but it will also improve the moisture retention of our skin on a long-term basis. Search for multi-oil blends because they combine the benefits of each ingredient.
Vitamin C Is A Must
During the winter months it’s a fairly common practice for many to increase their intake of vitamin C to keep your body healthy and safe during the cold and flu season. The same goes for using vitamin C to help our skin’s health, although it works a bit differently.
Vitamin C can help brighten and boost our skin because it stimulates collagen production. The stimulation of collagen production helps our skin retain moisture, as well as protecting it from any external aggressors. Did we mention that it helps our skin repair any possible long-term damage? Our skin takes a little of a beating during the summer months because of the concentration of UV rays. That being said, we need to rejuvenate and restore!
Swap Cleansers to A Balm or Oil
Many of us had been using an abrasive or foaming cleanser throughout the summer. Now that winter is around the bend, our skin says we should switch them out for an oil-based or cream formula. Our skin will naturally produce less oil, so it’s essential to wash our face gently to prevent stripping away the oil we need. Balm, cream, and oil formulas will be effective for removing makeup, as well as deep cleansing our pore without disrupting the natural balance of oil.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Our skin will be dryer during the winter, especially where our skin is delicate, like around the lips and eyes. That being said, it’s time to add some extra moisture to our skin to prepare for the big winter freeze. Many hydrating masks, salves, and balms don’t require rinsing, so you can put them on and leave them on overnight to add a moisturizing boost.
Thicker Moisturizers
Lightweight moisturizer will have been plenty enough for most skin types in the summer. Cooler temperatures mean the heat is on which dries our skin out. So, we need to use a more hydrating moisturizer, which is why creams with a thicker consistency are beneficial. They help seal in the hydration!
Enzyme Peels
Some of us don’t like chemical peels! Enzyme peels will work just the same, minus the chemicals. The enzymes gently break down keratin proteins that hold dead skin cells on the top layers of our skin. Our skin will look brighter and feel really smooth.
Our skin faces change with every change of the seasons. Knowing what to do to keep your skin fresh and vibrant means your skin’s health will be improved. Take care of your skin because it takes care of you! Not to mention, it’ll look amazing!
