Winter is quickly approaching, so it's time to transition your skincare routine to weather the weather (haha)! Just like the colder weather invites cozy, warm clothes, it also requires added layers and love for your skin. But have no fear, this blog will walk you through how to keep your skin glowing and healthy throughout colder months.
Winter brings these main changes: low temperatures and low humidity. Every time you turn on that heater or take that extra-hot, long shower, say goodbye to your skin's natural oils and moisture barrier. When your skin loses these protective oils it becomes dry, irritated, and sensitive. The constant transition from indoors to outdoors, cold air to dry air - while it may feel nice - exacerbates the situation, often resulting in dehydrated, itchy skin.
Hydrate to replenish, layer to protect
One of the most important things to focus on during the winter months is replenishing and protecting your moisture barrier. You might be asking, what is my moister barrier, and how do I protect it? The skin's moisture barrier is made up of your body's natural oils and fats, so replenishing and protecting it makes sure you lock in hydration.
Opt for a hydrating serum that contain humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, these hold onto water to keep your skin well-hydrated. To maintain that healthy moisture barrier, follow serums with a heavier moisturizer that locks in that hydration and forms a protective layer on the skin. A hydrating toner can also work wonders in adding an extra layer of moisture before applying heavier creams. And most importantly, don't forget to drink plenty of water - winter is the perfect time for extra sips of water and homemade soups rich in collagen (bone broth), minerals (leafy greens), and vitamins (root veggies) that help your skin radiance and health.
Exfoliate - But Carefully
Harsh cleansers can strip away your skin's natural oils, especially during the winter. If your usual cleanser is more focused on exfoliating and cleansing off grime and dirt, swap it out for a more gentle and hydrating option that'll still get the job done. Just remember, we want to be extra gentle in the winter. Exfoliating is still important to remove dead skin cells and to keep the skin feeling supple, but over-exfoliation will leave your skin more prone to irritation and dryness. While exfoliating daily or every other day may be suitable in the summer, in winter, it's best to cut back to once or twice a week. This ensures that you're still promoting cell turnover and keeping skin smooth without compromising your skin's delicate moisture barrier.
The best tool when it comes to physical exfoliation is a dry brush. Dry brushing is a fantastic way to gently exfoliate and stimulate your skin, promoting circulation and lymphatic drainage. It also helps to prep your skin to better absorb your body moisturizers! As always, make sure you use gentle, upward strokes starting from your feet and moving toward your heart. Always dry brush before you shower and follow up with rich body oil or butter to lock in all your hard work. The Cleveland Clinic emphasizes that “the function of most moisturizers is to trap moisture in your skin,” says Dr. Estemalik. “When you apply moisturizer on skin that’s really, really dry, it’s not going to be that helpful because there’s no moisture to trap.”
Massage. Yes, massage.
Another great tool to always have handy is a gua sha stone. Gua sha, a traditional Chinese practice, involves scraping a smooth tool along the skin and results in stimulating circulation, reducing puffiness, and promoting lymphatic drainage. And if that's not enough pros for you, it also boosts the absorption of serums and moisturizers by helping the
products penetrate deeper into the skin! Pro-tip: Use this tool on your entire body! It doubles as a skin health-booster and a gentle massage. It's also been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Keep Wearing Sunscreen
Even if you don't see the sun, it's still there, and it's still causing damage to your skin. UV rays are especially harsh on bright, snowy days because the sunlight reflects off the snow. The Skin Cancer Foundation highlights that up to 80% of UV rays can reflect off snow! So continue to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, especially on your face and hands.
Taking care of your skin in the winter may take a little extra effort, but the results are worth it. By swapping out your lightweight products for more nourishing options, protecting your skin's moisture barrier, exfoliating, and keeping up with sun protection, you can keep your skin happy, hydrated, and glowing all winter long.
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