Skincare and wardrobe share one thing in common. They are both season-dependent. What does it mean? Just like a typical wardrobe in summer dotted with light loose clothing, skincare tends to be minimalist too. And when the cold seasons, fall and winter, come knocking, our wardrobes feature a lot heavier clothing. The same goes for skincare routines. If you want to maintain healthy hydrated skin during the cold season, you are going to have to borrow some great layering tips. Prepping your skin each morning and every evening becomes second nature. Your regimen must feature more protective ingredients including heavy creams. In this article, we take a look at how you can properly transform your skincare routine from summer to winter.
Opt for Cream Over Lightweight Lotion-Based Moisturizer
During summer, lightweight water-based moisturizers are common. They are usually just a combination of oil and water. While they are ideal for the hot season, they often lack the necessary components required to maintain your skin’s hydration and general health during the cold season. We are talking about ingredients such as Niacin, ceramides, and glycerin. A rich creamy moisturizer can easily take on these ingredients and help keep your skin barrier intact. Furthermore, the oil in creams forms a physical barrier that prevents moisture loss. We cannot emphasize enough the fact that lack of sunlight does not mean lack of disastrous ultraviolet radiation. Snow-covered grounds are particularly dangerous for the skin because of UV radiation's reflection towards your skin.
Use an Oil-Based Product or Cream for Cleanser
During the summer season, the skin tends to produce a lot of oil. To counteract that, nightly foaming cleansers seem to do the trick. However, during winter, there is usually minimal moisture in the air. As such, your skin produces much less oil; therefore, it is counter-productive to use cleansers, such as foaming cleansers, that strip the skin of its natural oils. These will only expedite the process of drying your skin. Equally important is to make sure that you do not over-use cleansers that contain agents such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid because they also promote dry skin. If dry skin is a major concern for you, consider double cleansing with a cream-based cleanser to support moisture retention within the skin barrier.
Incorporate A Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Serums are powerful agents that help to resolve specific skin concerns. As such, they must be part of your skincare routine regardless of the season. Serums must be applied before the moisturizer starting with the most active ones. In the case of dry skin, a hyaluronic acid (HA) serum is imperative to the skincare routine. It is a sugar-based molecule that is naturally produced by the body. However, production diminishes with age. HA helps the skin retain water and prevent evaporation. It is known to hold over 1,000 times its weight in water. By making it part of your winter routine, your skin will remain hydrated and vibrant.
Layer Your Routine
If you suffer from excessively dry skin, a layering skincare routine might just be the best option for you. You can apply an antioxidant serum and moisturizer in the morning and use night creams, ceramides, and other skin barrier products at night. Look into mists, oils, moisturizers, and eye creams. All these will help boost your skin’s hydration and maintain a healthy barrier.
If anything, winter is perhaps the one season where the full potential of serums can be realized. With serums, you get a multi-pronged approach that goes beyond just maintaining moisture. Serums containing calming ingredients such as Niacin-amide can relieve inflammation and soothe flushes. As for layering, be sure to start with the one with the thinnest texture and work your way upwards. It will help you address multiple skin concerns more effectively.
Make A Habit of Using Body Lotion On Damp Skin
Revered dermatologists recommend that body lotion be applied within a couple of minutes after taking a shower to realize the best results. This window allows you to lock in the moisture before it begins to escape from the skin. Speaking of showers, it is important to keep it brief and only use warm water since hot water strips the skin of its natural moisture. With low humidity levels in the winter, maximize the steam released during showers. It is best to apply lotion or creams while still in the steam-filled bathroom.
Cut Back on Retinol-Based Products
Under normal circumstances, retinol can be very powerful allies to your skincare routine. How so? They are primarily exfoliants that aid the skin to shed dead cells. Additionally, retinol is known for being capable of resolving acne and reversing some environmental damage and sun damage to the skin. However, winter is a whole different ball game. With diminished moisture, retinol will most likely strip whatever little moisture is left on your skin. Dermatologists strongly advise against using retinol on dry skin during winter but oily skin and acne-prone people may still use retinol albeit sparingly.
