As the seasons change, so should our skincare. In humid climates, lightweight lotions may provide enough moisture during the summer months, but lightweight products are no match for winter cold. Frigid temperatures and drier air demand a different approach to caring for our skin.
Understanding the Winter’s Effect on Skin
While summer weather tends to be hydration-safe for our skin, winter can have the opposite effect. The cold, dry air absorbs water from our skin’s surface, leaving our pores parched.
Dry skin may show up as roughness, flaking, itchiness, cracking, redness (on lighter skin tones) or a gray, ashy appearance (on darker skin tones). We’re more prone to experience it with age and with certain medical conditions and medications.
Winter’s bitter cold and harsh winds can also compromise our skin barrier, leading to persistent dry skin and making our skin more vulnerable to irritation and infection.
The good news is, when we know how to prevent dry skin in winter, we can keep these issues from taking hold.
What Ingredients to Look for in Winter Skincare
When it comes to choosing the best skincare in the winter, knowing the right ingredients to look for is key. Here are three moisturizing must-haves:
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Hyaluronic acid. Naturally found in our skin, hyaluronic acid’s moisturizing super power is its ability to bind to large volumes of water, making it a must-have ingredient in skincare for dry skin. Foundation Skincare’s Hyaluronic Acid Lotion is dermatologist-formulated to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated and healthy.
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Glycerin. Excellent at grabbing and locking-in moisture and also soothing to irritated skin, glycerin helps to make our Hyaluronic Acid Lotion gentle enough for all skin types, but powerful enough to deliver an immediate hydrating effect.
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Ceramides. These fatty molecules help to support and protect our skin barrier, helping to keep moisture in and irritants out. When building winter-proof skin routine, reach for products that include ceramides, like thisNiacinamide Lotion 10%
Step-by-Step Winter Skincare Routine
A winter skin strategy isn’t just about switching up our moisturizer; tweaking our daily routine can make a meaningful difference, as well.
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Gently cleanse. In winter months, take a break from cleansers with harsh chemicals and use a wash with gentler ingredients and a creamy texture. And when washing, mind the water temperature: the hotter the water, the more drying to your skin.
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Exfoliate (ish). After taking a beating from the elements, chemical exfoliants and scrubs can feel too harsh on our winter skin. Instead, opt for a Vitamin C Lotion that refreshes the skin’s surface with a gentler touch, providing a brightening effect you might get from an exfoliant but without the harshness of chemicals or grit.
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Hydrate and moisturize. Layer up! Hyaluronic acid is a smart first step – and extra points if it’s a lotion, which delivers an extra boost of moisture not found in serums. Next, layer on a thick, moisturizing cream with ingredients like ceramides and glycerin that will keep the skin hydrated and protected.
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Sunscreen. Though the skies may look grayer, the sun is still beaming down those UV rays, so make sure to apply a sunscreen (SPF 30 or above) before leaving the house.
Extra Tips for Winter Skin Care
Our face isn’t the only area needing wintertime TLC; our whole body needs extra attention during the colder months, especially the skin on our neck and decolletage. With age, the skin in these areas becomes thinner and more fragile – and even more vulnerable to the effects of cold, dry air. Tend to the specific needs of this area with Neck Firming Cream, which promotes collagen production to strengthen and protect the skin.
The solution for dry skin in winter lies not only in the right products, but also in a skin-friendly lifestyle. In the winter, be extra conscious of staying hydrated — inside and out. Drink plenty of water and plug in that humidifier. When bathing, turn down the temperature; hot water dehydrates your skin, and we need to grab the small moisturizing wins where we can. And when you leave the house, you’ll protect your skin by staying bundled and covered (and applying lip balm to your lips).
Winter months may hold some hydration challenges, but with help from the right moisture-boosting products, we can keep our skin summertime supple and luminous all year long.
References:
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https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/winter-skin-survival-kit
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https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
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https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/winter-skin-woes
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9315586/
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6197824/
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10616540/
