How To Take Care Of Your Skin In Winter
The winter months are often a welcome respite from the intense heat of the summer, but with the cooler temperatures comes changes in temperature and humidity that can have a detrimental effect on your skin.
Changing weather conditions, indoor heating, and longer, hotter showers all take a toll on your skin tone and texture, which means you may need to make some adjustments to your skincare routine. To combat the effects of winter skin stressors, implementing a winter skin routine can help to support skin and help maintain healthy skin goals.
What Happens To Your Skin In Winter?
In a nutshell, your skin loses more moisture in winter, which leads to dry, itchy, flaky or sensitive skin. Why does the skin lose moisture in winter? Interestingly, there is a little bit of science behind it all, so let's dive in!
Humidity levels are lower in winter, which means the air has less water in it or a “lower saturation of water vapour”. What this means for your skin is that (because water naturally moves from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration) this results in increased water loss through the skin's surface (referred to as Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL)) or in other words the environmental conditions naturally draw water from skin’s layers.
The increased moisture loss, coupled with significantly cooler temperatures, also tends to mean we sweat less, so our skin produces less sebum (a substance produced by the body which helps moisturise and protect the skin).
Spending much of the day either locked indoors with artificial heating or transitioning between warmer indoor environments and chilly outdoors ones exposes the skin to extreme fluctuations in conditions, also making it harder to maintain optimum moisture levels.
Common Winter Skin Problems
The combination of cooler weather, indoor heating, hot showers can result in the following skin issues in winter.
- Dry, flaky skin
- Rough scaliness
- Dead skin
- Redness
- Tenderness
- Increased appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Taking Care Of Your Skin In Winter – 14 Top Tips
Much like the necessary wardrobe changes, your winter skin routine should be adjusted to prepare for the conditions commonly experienced during the winter months. The moisture-drawing effects of winter are what makes your skincare routine so important. You want to choose products and treatments that will protect your skin barrier and help lock in moisture.
1. Invest In A Good Quality Hydrating Cleanser
Hydration is the key to combating dry, flaky skin, which is why all of your skin care should have a hydration focus- even your cleanser. Choose a gentle cleanser with added moisturising properties that won't remove the skin's natural oils.
2. Moisturise Moisturise Moisturise!
Cream-based moisturisers are the best option in most cases, look for options that contain popular nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycoprotein and glycerine. These ingredients help to maintain moisture and hydration levels, locking in moisture while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Use Overnight Products
Applying skincare at night has multiple benefits for the skin. Night time is when the skin works to repair itself and achieves the best absorption rates. Overnight creams, serums, and oils work to help support this process with nourishment and support. Plus, your products are more likely to stay on for longer and therefore provide the maximum amount of benefit while you sleep!
4. Exfoliate Regularly (But Not Too Regularly)
Exfoliating is the best way to remove dry, flaky skin and bring smooth, glowing skin to the surface. Incorporating weekly or fortnightly exfoliation facial care into your winter skincare routine is essential for carefully removing dead skin cells while keeping sensitive skin protected. Always take care not to over-exfoliate, though, and moisturise your skin well after exfoliating.
5. Protection Over Product
We all have our favourite beauty products, however winter brings exposure to harsh conditions for the skin, so strengthening the skin's natural moisture barrier should take priority. Aim for products that contain ingredients that protect the skin, such as evening primrose oil and lavender essential oil.
6. Avoid Hot Showers
While a long, hot shower is something many of us look forward to on cold winter days, hot water temperatures will dry your skin out, robbing it of its natural oils. The same goes for indoor heaters, heat pumps and air-conditioning, as the dry air will pull moisture from your skin’s layers.
7. Add A Hydration Boosting Serum
Consider adding a skin boosting serum full of nutrients to your weekly routine. These products are designed for an additional boost of nourishment over and above your usual skincare. Oil-based serums are usually the most hydrating as they contain high concentrations of antioxidants and fatty acids to nourish and replenish the skin.
8. Don’t Forget The Sunscreen
Even during the cold winter months, your skin is still susceptible to damage from sun exposure. This is because UV radiation levels remain high in winter (especially in New Zealand). Look for sunscreen that provides a gentle yet effective SPF shielding, preferably with mineral-based ingredients for optimum skin health.
9. Keep Your Lips Hydrated
Dry, flaky, chapped lips are a common symptom of skin dehydration and cold exposure. Investing in hydrating lip treatments with ingredients such as Vitamin E and Shea Butter is great for locking in moisture and keeping the lips looking fresh and hydrated.
10. Consider Dermal Fillers
Instantly restoring volume to your lips, cheeks and jawline, cosmetic injectables or dermal fillers are also an option for giving your face a fuller, more hydrated look. Dermal fillers typically use hyaluronic acid to restore fullness to your features, offering immediate results for that quick glow-up needed across the winter months. See here for more information on where on your face you can get dermal fillers, how they work and what to expect.
11. Monitor Your Indoor Temperature And Humidity
Hot, dry air contributes to dry skin by increasing the rate of TEWL (Trans epidermal water loss). Sitting around in excessively hot temperatures and low humidity levels both in the home and at the office will make this worse! Instead of raising the heat, add layers of clothing or a blanket and sip on a warm cup of tea – this will keep you hydrated from within!
12. Get Some Exercise
Getting in some extra workouts, long walks, or that early morning run can aid in increasing the natural oils in the skin while also flushing out toxins. Don’t overcomplicate it – just find something that works for you, and hopefully it is something you enjoy!
13. Healthy Skin Comes From Within!
Taking care of our health is one of the best ways to maintain hydrated and healthy, glowing skin. A winter skin care routine shouldn’t only be about what you put on your skin. The skin is the body’s biggest organ, so naturally what you put in your body also makes a difference to the health and appearance of your skin. Aim to eat healthy foods, including good fats (avocado, fish and nuts) and nutrient-dense vegetables (increase your Vitamin D if possible), reduce sugar and alcohol intake, and always drink lots of water!
14. See Your Dermatologist
If you have persistent skin irritation or issues that don’t clear up with repeated attempts, making an appointment with a qualified medical professional is advised. You can make an appointment with your GP or directly with a dermatologist, depending on your situation and/or preference.
Wherever you are on your skincare journey, and whatever your unique skin type and concerns may be, achieving the radiant, healthy complexion you desire is possible – with a little extra care and effort!
Ready to explore how The Face can help you improve your skin’s appearance? We specialise in cosmetic injectables, but what truly sets us apart is our personalised approach. Georgia will work closely with you to understand your goals and create a treatment plan specifically designed for you!
