3 skin shifts for the best winter skin care routine.
As an esthetician I know that when winter arrives, and temperatures drop with less humidity in the air, their clients’ skin will start to show signs of dehydration. That’s because the skin has no source from which to pull moisture, leaving it dry, red, cracked, and dull. Dry, cold winter weather tends to strip the skin of its natural protective oils, depleting moisture levels and weakening the skin barrier. As a result, the drier the skin is, the duller it looks, and the more pronounced lines and wrinkles become.
Now’s the ideal time to make some essential skin care shifts, and build an effective winter skin care routine, to keep your skin healthy and hydrated this time of year. Here’s what our estheticians professionally recommend.
Winter Skin Shift 1: a gentle cleanser
Daily cleansing is a must, but it’s important to wash with effective yet hydrating cleansers. As with all cleansers, the goal is to gently remove pore-clogging dirt, oil, makeup, and debris without disrupting the skin’s pH levels or stripping it of its natural oils necessary for optimal barrier function. In addition, cleansing oils like the plant- and olive oil-based Sensitive Skin Cleansing Oil, which doubles as a cleanser and makeup remover in one, do not dry out the skin, yet they add much-needed moisture. This gentle one boasts a blend of antioxidant-rich vitamin E and fatty acid-rich hemp seed oil to strengthen the barrier and reduce inflammation while leaving the skin fresh and clean.
Hydrating cleansers such as Moisture Positive Cleanser are also beneficial in any winter skin routine. This rich, creamy cleanser is formulated with essential oils that balance the skin, making it a must-have winter skin care product for dry skin to wash with both morning and night (it thoroughly remove every last trace of makeup). And of course, no matter which one you opt to cleanse with, always follow this winter skin care tip: wash with lukewarm or cold water to prevent the skin from drying out.
Winter Skin Shift 2: a more emollient moisturizer
Estheticians know how to take care of dry skin in winter. One of the best ways is to up the ante on your hydration game and incorporate a thicker, more emollient-rich moisturizer like Crucial Moisturizer, which is ideal for hydrating dry skin without any oily residue. This strengthening cream relieves dehydrated skin with ultra-lubricating dimethicone and adaptogenic Chinese herbs that protect the skin barrier. A weak barrier makes skin more susceptible to environmental damage.
Another option for extremely dry skin is the emollient-rich Really Rich Moisture cream. With less humidity in the air, the skin needs to draw moisture from somewhere, so it might as well be a replenishing moisturizer. This rich formula reduces that tight, itchy feeling that comes along with dehydrated skin thanks to a non-greasy blend of olive, safflower, avocado, and jojoba oils that work double duty to flood the skin with hydration and alleviate flaking. As a result, the skin looks and feels softer and smoother.
Winter Skin Shift 3: a comforting, barrier-protective mask
Sure, the skin craves a heavy-duty moisturizer in the winter, but that doesn’t mean that a good hydrating mask can’t do the trick—it can. Hydrating masks, which you should use in tandem with a well-rounded winter skincare routine that consists of emollient-rich moisturizing creams, lend another layer of hydration to the skin—plus, they’re fun to use and feel good and comforting. To soothe extra dry skin, reach for a hydrating mask like Collagen Rehab, which leaves skin looking dewy and can also be used to help dry, chapped lips. Or, try Hydroplunge, a lightweight immersion mask that relies on hyaluronic acid, glucose, and xylitol to quench dry skin and boost the skin’s ability to retain water. You can use both three to five times per week to flood the skin with much-needed moisture.