Frosty Weather Flawless Skin

Skincare Tips for the Winter Weather

As we transition from summer to fall it’s time to investigate our skincare routines. Some of you may have not realized it but as the seasons change you should change your skincare routines. I am not saying that you need to change your entire routine but make small subtle changes in your skincare application and some additional lifestyle tweaks. When the temperature drops and it can cause your skin to be more sensitive, so now is the perfect time to protect your barrier. Here are 6 tips to make sure your skin stays healthy this winter season.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Photo by: @thejunessarendoncollection¹

The winter air is dry, and with the dry air it can cause your skin to be more dehydrated because there is less humidity outside. With less moisture in the air, you should increase your level of moisturization. I would recommend either adding an emollient to your moisturizer like jojoba oil, neroli oil, grape seed oil, etc. to help lock in hydration and help protect the skin’s lipid barrier. You can also use a hydrating spray throughout the day to give your skin an extra boost.

2. Avoid Hot Showers

Photo by seanmcgrath²

This is a hard one, because we all want to stay nice and toasty, but this can cause more irritation for your skin. When you shower with high temperatures it causes your pores to open and you end up “sweating” out your natural oils. Which is striping your skin and ends up causing that tightness feeling you get after you dry off. Now I am not asking you to take cold showers, but I would recommend turning the temperature down or spending less time singing in the shower. You could also wear a hydrating face mask while you shower.

3. SPF is Your Best Friend

Photo by: Laurel Fan³

The sun has not exploded, you still need to wear your SPF daily especially in the winter. The snow acts as a mirror for the sun, its super reflective to sunlight. If you plan on hitting the ski slopes, please make sure you wear good sunscreen, you only need SPF 30. My personal favorite type of sunscreen is any mineral based sunscreen.

4. Exfoliate Gently

Photo By: Tamara Velazquez⁴

Exfoliation is a great way to rid of the old and dead flaky skin. With the harsh cool temperatures, you need to be a little more conservative with the scrubs. Instead of using a physical exfoliant like scrubs a bamboo brush which can make the skin red and even more irritated than it already was. I would recommend using a leave on exfoliate like Mandelic Acid at a low percentage. Mandelic or any AHA/BHA acids can gently exfoliate the dead skin cells and hydrate the skin by attracting and binding water to the skin cells, leaving the skin balanced.

5. All Good Things Come in Layers

Photo By: Tamara Velazquez (@capturenow)⁵

How you layer your skincare is essential to maximize the hydration your skin needs. If you are cleansing your skin, then going in with a drying exfoliant, next you use serum with little to no hydrating properties and then you moisturize, your skin’s barrier may not be getting all that it needs to be healthy. Introducing some hydrating products in between your regular skin care routine can be a game changer. Here’s a basic way to layer your routine; Cleanse, tone with a hydrating toner, leave on exfoliant, hydrating serum, active products (vitamin C, retinol (only at night), moisturizer, SPF (only in the morning). Another note if you are using any product that is a Humectant (Hyaluronic Acid as an example) they pull water from moisture in air and hold it at a molecular level to help plump the skin. To give these types of products a boost I recommend mixing a little bit of water with the serum, so it has some extra water to pull from.

6. Bundle Up Buttercup

Photo by: by liveoncelivewild⁶

Whether you snowboard, ski, or if you’re taking a nice walk in the snow, wear the right gear. Since your skin is not producing enough of its own natural oils because of the cooler temperatures, you have an increased risk of getting a sunburn and other environmental damages to the skin. So of course, wearing SPF before going out walking in a winter wonderland is a great idea, but also wearing a scarf to protect your face, and using an Occlusive (Shea Butter, Petroleum Jelly) can help as well. Using shea butter or petroleum jelly is a great way to provide a protective seal over the skin to prevent any more loss in hydration.

For an Essential Winter Glow You Need to Have Your HOES.
Humectants, Emollients, Occlusives.
– Savanna Boda

The winter elements can be harsh on our skin. It’s important we understand how to keep it healthy and glowing. By following these tips- moisturizing regularly, avoiding hot showers, using SPF, using a gentle exfoliator, adjusting your steps in your routine, and bundling up- you’ll protect your skin from the weather and keep your skin glowing! Remember your skin routine is personal to you, find what works best for you. If you have questions on your skin routine feel free to drop a comment below or reach out to me on my Instagram I would be happy to help! Here’s to embracing the winter months with healthy, glowing skin!