As the weather started cooling down, you probably already changed your wardrobe from tank tops and summer dresses to cozy sweaters and long pants. But transitioning to winter means much more than getting out your knitwear. It also involves ensuring that your skincare routine protects you from the cool, dry winter air.
After long months of heatwaves and burning temperatures, cold nights and brisk mornings seem like a gift from the heavens, but these are also the main reasons that you may develop dry, dehydrated skin. Skin dehydrates in the winter because there’s less moisture in the air, so you need to compensate with an updated skincare routine.
If you don’t know where to start in updating your skincare routine for cooler temperatures, here are some useful tips to help you smoothly transition your skincare routine to winter.
1. Switch to a richer cleanser.
During summer, sweat and excess oil usually call for a deeper cleanser, but as winter approaches, you need to switch to a more gentle approach. Because there is less moisture in the air, your skin will produce less oil, so you need to use a cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils and leave it dry in the process.
If you have acne-prone skin and use a deep clarifying cleanser, remember that you should limit your use of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid during the winter, as these ingredients can dry out your skin even more.
This winter, try out a cleanser that’s more creamy than foamy in order to give your skin a moisturizing boost and keep it healthy. Read the best skin care products reviews to find a cleanser that suits your skin and provides the level of hydration that you need.
2. Use a gentler exfoliator.
As air moisture levels drop, your skin will dry out, and there’s a strong chance that you’ll start noticing some flakiness. Exfoliating products can help you prevent this flakiness, but make sure to switch to a gentler exfoliator when the weather gets colder.
Your exfoliating routine needs to change when colder days approach. Reduce the frequency of exfoliation once winter comes. Stick to exfoliating your skin once a week during the winter, and only increase the frequency if it’s absolutely necessary. Don’t forget to exfoliate your lips too, as they are one of the most exposed parts of your body.
3. Choose a hydrating serum.
Serums are the best way to give your skincare routine a boost because they target specific skin problems. A hyaluronic acid serum can help combat dry skin and leave it nice and glowing. Hyaluronic acid also prevents moisture from evaporating into the air, which can happen quite often during the winter.
Remember to apply the serum before you apply any moisturizer. If you use multiple serums, apply the one with the most active ingredients first.
4. Change your moisturizer.
One of the most important skincare rules is to use oil in the summer and cream during the winter, and it applies to moisturizers as well. We tend to sweat more when it’s warmer, so we should use a light moisturizer to avoid clogging our pores. However, in the winter, windy days, less moisture in the air, and home heaters can suck the moisture right out of our skin, leaving it dry and flaky.
Keep your light moisturizer for the summer, and switch to a creamy one during the winter. Look for ingredients such as ceramides, Niacin, and glycerin to help keep your skin hydrated and restore your skin barrier.
5. Introduce a deep hydrating mask.
From time to time this winter, treat your skin to a deeply hydrating mask in order to restore its moisture and glow. Ingredients like honey and coconut oil hydrate skin well, so look for a mask that contains both.
You can also make your own mask using ingredients such as honey, olive oil, jojoba oil, oatmeal, and yogurt. Just look online for mask recipes, and you’ll find plenty that match your skin type and contain ingredients that you have around the house.
6. Don’t forget SPF.
SPF is a must, regardless of the weather. Exposure to UV rays happens even when the sun is barely shining, and UV overexposure can lead to a myriad of skin problems, like sun spots, wrinkles, and the breakdown of the natural collagen and elastin in your skin. In the winter, the sun’s effects are harder to feel, so you won’t actually notice when the sun damages your skin. Applying SPF every 4 hours on winter days can help you protect your skin from the sun.
Winter requires sensitive skincare, and now is the perfect time to change up your skincare routine to fit your skin’s needs. Try out these tips for flawless, radiant winter skin!
Photo by Kalos Skincare on Unsplash
