Have You Made These Changes to Your Winter Skincare Regimen?

The winter months bring cold weather that can be very harsh on your skin. When you feel a nip in the air and pull out your winter wardrobe, it's also your cue to start a winter skincare routine. The moisturizers and cleansers that worked well for your skin in the summer may not be good enough for winter skin. And it's not only the cold temperatures, strong winds, and dry air outdoors, the constant exposure to indoor heaters also sucks moisture from your skin, leaving you with dry and flaky skin or even irritated skin because you've lost the natural oils that act as a healthy skin barrier. In this article, we'll talk about some of the changes you should make to your winter skin care routine, which will leave your skin feeling hydrated, soft, and loved.

Should you change your skincare routine in the winter?

Yes, an update to your winter skin care routine is necessary, but you don't have to do a complete overhaul. Depending on your skin type, you just need to switch out a few products. Generally speaking, dermatologists advise that you use gentle cleansers and rich moisturizers on winter skin. This is because the winter weather robs your skin of all the moisture that keeps it looking soft and smooth. The goal of a winter skin care routine is to add extra moisture so you can continue showing off your glowing skin.

What should I add to my skincare routine in the winter?

Add a Cream or Oil Cleanser

Foam cleansers are salicylic acid-based and work well to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, but they can be more drying and generally harsher on your skin. This is especially true for some cleansers that are formulated for acne prone skin. If you use a foam cleanser in the summer months, as part of your winter skin care routine, switch to a cream or oil cleanser. It will not only effectively clean your skin but also keep it hydrated by not disrupting the natural skin barrier function.

Add a Moisturizer

Folks with dry skin might think this is a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people with oily or combination skin types skip this critical step in skincare. However, while skipping a moisturizer may fly in the summer, in the winter, whatever your skin type, you need more hydration. If you have an oily skin type, add a lightweight gel moisturizer but be sure to give your skin that extra  TLC in the cold weather. If you have dry skin, switch from a lotion-based moisturizer to a cream one in the as part of your wintertime skin care routine.

Add a Gentle Exfoliator to Remove Dead Skin Cells

Exfoliation is an important step in your skin care routine in every season. The ingredients in an exfoliant cause friction and remove debris such as dead skin cells from the skin surface. This helps to unclog pores and give you glowing skin that is less prone to breakouts. But exfoliation can also strip your skin of essential oils. Given that the winter season can leave even people who normally have oily skin with somewhat dry skin, it's important to switch to a gentler exfoliant as part of your winter skin care routine. Take care not to overdo exfoliation in the winter, because this can lead to dryness and irritation, especially if you experience skin sensitivity. Stick to exfoliating once or twice a week or as much as your skin can tolerate.

Add Hyaluronic Acid for Hydration

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that is found abundantly in your skin. It attracts and binds to water and keeps your skin hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is also an ingredient in many facial serums. As part of your winter skin care routine, choose a moisturizer or serum that contains this wonderful ingredient. Your skin will thank you and you will notice a smoother, more even skin tone and texture with repeated use.

Add an Overnight Mask

If you've been too lazy to use a face mask in the summer, the cold weather is the best time to get back to this important skin care routine. An overnight mask can lock in all the moisturizer and serum you've carefully applied and keep your skin hydrated. The nighttime is also when your skin hydration levels decline due to the natural circadian rhythm, so its doubly important to ramp up the hydration quotient. If you sleep in a heated room, consider adding a bedside humidifier to further lock in the moisture from your overnight mask.  

Don't Forget Sunscreen

The sun may not show up in the winter, but the sun's UV rays are still present in the atmosphere. This means you need to wear sunscreen even on cloudy or overcast days.

How do you adapt your winter skincare routine?

Here are 3 easy tips that will keep your skin looking its best in the winter months.

Cut down on long, hot showers

Long, hot showers are one of the joys of wintertime. But they don't do your skin any good. Hot water strips your skin of its natural moisture, leaving you with even drier skin than before. Stick to lukewarm showers and keep them as short as possible, showering no more than once a day. Apply a moisturizer immediately after your shower to lock in hydration while your skin is damp.

Layer your skin care

Just like layers of clothes keep you warm, layers of skin care products keep your skin hydrated. Start with the lightest product (toner), followed by a heavier skincare product (skin serum), and then the heaviest product (moisturizer).

Keep it simple

If you start out with a complicated and time-consuming winter skincare routine, there's a good chance you won't be able to carry it through until the spring and summer. Stick to a simple formula and remember quality trumps quantity - using a few high quality skin care products will work better than using a large number of inferior products. 

It should not be about using a whole bunch of products but rather about using the best ones. You don't have to burn a hole in your pocket either. Keep in mind that while some skincare products may appear expensive, they contain a high concentration of ingredients and you only need a very small amount every day, so they work out to be cost-effective in the long run. Plus, good quality skin care products penetrate deeper into your skin and give you better results.

The bottom line

Winter is a wonderful time of the year and there's lots to enjoy, from hot chocolate to holiday shopping. As long as you make a few changes to your winter skincare routine and protect your skin from the cold weather, you can enjoy it all without dull, dry skin that is prone to cracking, irritation, and infection.