The harsh elements of winter can be rough on the skin. From frigid temperatures to extremely dry air, many of us spend the season battling dehydration, dullness, texture issues, and more. If you want to maintain a comfortable and healthy complexion this season, we’re going over our top 5 tips for transitioning your fall skincare routine for the winter.
The Seasonal Shift on Skin
How does the change in season affect our skin? In the fall, the skin often has a more difficult time retaining hydration, thanks to the cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels. These changes become even more noticeable in the winter, as the weather becomes even colder and drier. For many – especially those that live in areas prone to harsh winters – the result is dry, easily aggravated, and rough skin that appears dull and lackluster.
While you can’t change the weather, you can adapt your routine to best defend your skin against the element. These are our 5 tips for the transition from fall to winter skincare.
1. Hydration is Key
Perhaps the single most important tip we can offer you is to focus on hydration in your winter skincare routine. In order to counteract the effects of very little natural humidity, you need to focus on adding hydration back to your skin wherever possible.
In addition to drinking plenty of water, the best tool for hydrating the skin is using a hyaluronic acid serum, like the Hyaluronic Pure Boost Serum. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most powerful humectants, working to draw water to the skin and lock it in for a supple and soft complexion.
This Hyaluronic Pure Boost Serum has a super simple yet effective ingredients list, and is fragrance-free. It gives your skin the support it needs in the winter (and beyond!), without aggravating skin that is already particularly fragile. Pro tip: apply it to damp skin to enhance absorption and maximize its hydrating effects!
2. Gentle Cleansing
The skin is much more delicate in the winter. This means a more aggressive cleanser that works for you in other seasons may not suit your skin during this time. With this in mind, you need to reach for a super gentle cleanser that washes away impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture or causing irritation.
Cream-based, non-foaming cleansers are especially beneficial in the winter, especially for dry skin types. You’ll also want to look for formulas made with hydrating and soothing ingredients, like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe, centella asiatica, and ceramides. We also recommend sticking with fragrance-free formulas, as perfumes can cause further aggravation.
3. Protecting Against UV Rays
You may be spending a lot less time soaking up the sun. However, the risk of damage from UV rays is still present, which means you need to continue wearing sunscreen throughout the season. Even on particularly dark and gloomy days, these harmful rays can break through the clouds and hit your complexion. With this in mind, be sure to apply SPF each morning as the final step in your routine, and continue reapplying throughout the day as needed. We recommend using a sunscreen made with moisturizing ingredients to give your skin some extra support!
4. Humidification
We’ve talked about adding hydration to your skin through your skincare products, but there’s another great tool that can help you keep your complexion hydrated this winter: a humidifier. A humidifier will add water back into the environment, which can impact your skin’s hydration levels. While it’s helpful all winter long, it can be especially useful on particularly chilly days when you have the heater – which zaps moisture from the air – running 24/7.
5. Exfoliation & Barrier Repair
It’s important to continue exfoliating to slough off dead skin cells and target dull, flaky winter skin. However, you don’t want to overdo it, as exfoliating too frequently or too aggressively can damage the barrier and lead to redness and irritation.
While the frequency at which you exfoliate will depend on the strength of the product you are using (as well as your skin’s tolerance for exfoliation), it’s best to take a more conservative approach. For example, if you’re using a potent chemical exfoliant, try using it once per week. Only increase your usage if it seems necessary and suitable for your skin. Alternatively, you may choose a low concentration exfoliant to use daily or every other day for regular mild exfoliation.
After exfoliating, apply a creamy moisturizer made with ingredients that support barrier health, like ceramides, squalane, and oats. This will reduce irritation and fortify the barrier so that it can better defend itself against the harsh winter elements. If your skin is feeling particularly sensitive, skip the exfoliation (as well as any other more potent treatments, like retinol), and just focus on using gentle hydrating and soothing products to repair and restore.
