Everything becomes dull and drier during the winter - the air, the weather, even our skin. While we cannot do anything about the first two, we can sure do something about our skin.
I've listed five skincare swaps and switches to winterproof your routine and maintain a healthy glow even during the drier months.
First, here's something to remember:
The most probable culprit of skin dullness during this season is dehydration. The skin lacks water. So, the goal of winter skincare is water. To put hydration back into the skin and to keep it there.
SWITCH YOUR FOAMING CLEANSER TO A MILK/CREAM CLEANSER
It is milder and does not dry out the skin.
As I've said, aside from putting back hydration we also need to preserve it inside our skin as much as possible. Foaming cleansers contain surfactants that unfortunately strip our skin of not only the excess, unwanted oils but also the ones we need to lock water inside our skin and prevent it from evaporating into the environment. When this happens repeatedly, it may lead to dehydration.
That squeaky-clean tight feeling we get after washing our face may be contributing to our skin's dullness.
I have done this personally and I think it was the best skincare decision I've made so far. I have oily and acne prone skin and I was really worried that it will break me out but it never did. It has helped immensely to prevent my skin from winter dehydration. My skin has maintained it's bounce and it seems to be unaffected by the dry weather conditions.
SWAP YOUR MOISTURIZER TO A RICHER CREAM
Thin and fluid moisturizer just doesn't cut it for winter. The skin needs a richer and thicker cream to moisturize flaky patches and acts as a seal, again, to prevent water from evaporating. Balms and creams are more ideal during this period.
One of the causes of dehydration is a broken skin barrier. The skin barrier is made up of cells and glue made up of fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides that holds them together.
There are moisturizers that are formulated with fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides, on the other hand, mimics the action of the natural compounds found in our skin and they help glue back cells together to repair the skin barrier and essentially put the barrier back to its normal state so it can function properly. I would recommend this type of moisturizers to those who have moderate to severely dehydrated skin and also those who have dry skin.
Aside from these, you can also try looking for moisturizers that are packed with hydrating ingredients like birch sap extract, honey, and panthenol.
SWITCH TO NOT USING A FACIAL OIL TO USING ONE
If you shy away from thick facial creams, you can instead add a facial oil to your skincare routine. You can use it as the last step of your skincare routine to seal all the goodness in and prevent it from evaporating to the environment or you can mix a few drops into your moisturizer. The result? Supple and bouncy skin in the morning.
I do not recommend just applying oil directly into the skin without anything underneath it. Remember what I told you about the goal of winter skincare? About keeping the water locked in the skin? Oils don't provide water so applying just oil to dehydrated skin won't increase hydration since there is already little water, to begin with. I recommend layering it under a moisturizer or a hydrating serum (if you don't use a moisturizer.)
Make sure to do your research to find the right oil for your skin type. Using the wrong facial oil can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
SWAP YOUR LIP BALM TO AN OVERNIGHT LIP MASK
Nobody wants to kiss dry and chapped lips under the mistletoe! Save your lip balm and switch to lip masks for an overnight lip treatment during the cold and dry days. They have more moisturizing and occlusive power to prevent lips from drying out.
I apply a thick layer of the Aritaum Ginger Sugar Lip Mask before going to bed and it has never failed to give me supple lips in the morning.
SWITCH TO DITCHING YOUR SUNSCREEN TO WEARING ONE
Switch to not using sunscreen during the winter to using one every single day. Although it is cold and we don't really feel the sun's hotness, UV rays are still present. It still can penetrate our skin and cause its nasty effect upon us. Snow reflects UV rays exposing people who live in snowy areas to two times the UV rays than usual. So, don't forget to slather that sunscreen before heading out.
Did you have some changes in your skincare this season? If you have not changed anything, try one of my tips and let me know how it goes!
Winter is already a dull and dry season, don't allow your skin to be the same.
Until the next post, ciao ciao! xx
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