Winter is a beautiful season, but it does come with its own set of problems and inconveniences. Flights may be cancelled, roads can get slick and dangerous to drive on, and people may come down with all sorts of illnesses like colds and coughs. Winter can also wreak havoc on your skin, making it dry, chapped and itchy. If you’re struggling to keep your skin feeling comfortable and healthy during the cold winter months, here are a few tips on how you can tweak your skincare routine to suit the weather:
Cleanse Gently
You may feel tempted to skip cleansing altogether when temperatures are freezing and the thought of taking a shower or even just splashing water on your face is enough to make you shiver. After all, how dirty can our skin possibly get when we don’t even sweat? The truth is that our skin can get pretty dirty when we go out and expose it to environmental elements, and leftover makeup residue can clog pores and cause irritation and breakouts. The key to cleansing during the winter is to use gentle, comforting products that won’t strip your skin, like the natural beauty products by Well Within Beauty.
You can skip cleansing in the morning, as you wouldn’t want to dry your skin out, but at the end of the day, it is crucial to cleanse properly to maintain your skin’s health. Start by removing all your makeup and sunscreen with a rich and nourishing makeup remover. Well Within Beauty’s natural makeup remover is made from the finest plant-based oils and botanicals, and will remove every last trace of makeup without leaving your skin feeling dry or raw.
Follow this up with a hydrating cream or low-foam cleanser to wash off any oily or makeup residue. Choose a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser that doesn’t contain any harsh surfactants so as not to disrupt your skin’s natural protective barrier. Resist the urge to rinse with water that is too hot, as this can really dry out your skin. Use only lukewarm or tepid water to wash off your second cleanser, then pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel (no aggressive rubbing!)
Layers of Hydration
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin and make it extremely dry and dehydrated. Your instinct may be to reach for the thickest, creamiest moisturizer you can lay your hands on to combat this dryness, but a better way to nourish your skin would be to layer several thin, hydrating products like toners, serums or essences.
Many Japanese and Korean women practice the 7-skin method, which involves patting up to seven layers of hydrating toner onto their skin to bring moisture back into it. For this method, you’ll want to stay away from toners that contain alcohol or active ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid, as these can dry out your skin even more. Toners with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or green tea are your best bets, and can make your skin feel soothed and supple without the heavy, sticky feeling of thick cream moisturizers.
Seal it all In
After layering on your hydrating products, you’ll want to seal all that good moisture in so your skin can absorb it all. Try using a sleeping pack, or a thicker moisturizer with occlusive ingredients that can “trap” the moisture on your skin under a protective barrier to prevent it from simply evaporating. Plant oils, shea butter and good old petroleum jelly are all excellent occlusives, and contrary to popular belief, have very low comedogenic ratings and are unlikely to clog your pores or cause a breakout, provided you have thoroughly cleansed your skin beforehand.
Don’t Skip the SPF
Last but not least, don’t neglect to wear sunscreen every day even during the winter. The sun’s harmful rays are extremely powerful and can penetrate your skin even when it isn’t particularly bright out. Choose a sunscreen with broad spectrum protection to keep you safe from both UVA and UVB rays, and make sure it has an SPF of at least 30.
In summary, keep your skin clean, protected, and above all, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Several layers of hydration are better than just one, thick layer to keep your skin properly moisturized from deep within. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, too. This will not only keep your skin healthy and hydrated, but will also help your body combat against common winter illnesses like colds and coughs.
