How to improve your skincare routine for winter:
Winter is very much on its way, and there’s very little we can do about it. Though the imminent arrival of the colder months brings with it the promise of good things like pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween candy hauls, and festive cheer, to say the least, these positives aren’t quite enough to completely neutralise the heavy toll such cold climates take on us.
That toll is exacted not just on our comfort but also on our routine, our energy levels, and yes, our skin. Thatcrisp, cold winter air, combined with the dry heat from your heating ducts, can change the way your skin responds to the same old skincare products. Here, we’re going to walk you through some key adjustments you can make to your daily routine that will help you combat dryness, maintain your skin barrier, and keep your complexion healthy and glowing all winter long.
Choose Gentle Hydrating Cleansers
The biggest problem you face with the changing of the seasons is hydration. Cold snaps are not kind to your skin, while dry heat from inside can be even worse for your complexion. Between the two of them, you’re headed for a skincare disaster.
As a starting point, take a look at your cleansers. Winter demands cleansers that preserve skin moisture, so you’ll want to opt for cream-based or oil cleansers that are capable of cleansing without stripping away your skin’s natural oils. Try to avoid foaming sulfate cleansers, which can exacerbate dryness and irritation.
Hydrate with Serums, Moisturisers & Humidifiers
Choosing gentler cleansers is crucial for ensuring you don’t reduce hydration in your skin, but you also need to find more effective ways of introducing moisture to your skin. This is where some of the heavier-hitting professional skincare products come in.
Serums featuring hyaluronic acid can be useful for drawing in moisture, both from the world around you and from deeper within your skin; follow this up with a rich moisturizer featuring something like shea butter or ceramides to seal it in. If you can combine this new routine with the addition of a humidifier at home to counteract indoor dryness, then all the better.
Don’t Skip the Sunscreen
It’s an easy mistake to make. But it’s not one you’re ever going to make again. Just because the sun may not feel as strong in the winter as it does in the summer, this does not mean that its UV rays are any less effective at damaging your skin. Indeed, it can do even more damage with all that bright and reflective snow to bounce off of. No matter the weather, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 should live permanently in your handbag. No ifs, no buts.
Skincare isn’t an easy thing to crack, particularly when no two people are truly the same. Still, folding the above into your daily and weekly skincare routine is all but guaranteed to help you see some improvements to how your skin reacts in the cold and dark of winter.
