When the weather changes, so should your skincare routine. You wouldn’t wear sandals in the winter, or a scarf in the summer: apply that same mentality to your skincare. As the body’s largest organ, keeping your routine stagnant is a one-way ticket to having dry, flaky skin when the snow starts falling. As things start to freeze, here are the best 4 skincare tips for winter to make sure your skin stays healthy and hydrated.
Switch to cream cleanser and thick moisturizer
Cream cleansers tend to be easier on sensitive skin. When the temperature drops, chances are that your skin is going to experience some redness and irritation. Since cream-based cleaners tend to be thicker and less acidic, they offer a moisturizing alternative during the chilly months.
As for traditional moisturizers, common sense applies here; in the winter, look for rich, thick formulas that coat your skin to protect against the elements. Look for formulas that include lipids, such as SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore. Lipids are natural compounds found in the skin that help skin repair naturally. The Triple Lipid Restore relies on lipids to restore the skin’s external barrier and support natural self-repair. This means luxurious feeling skin, even when the weather is anything but.
Invest in a humidifier
One of the stealthiest culprits of flaky, brittle skin is dry air. One of the more understated ways to combat dry air is with a humidifier. During the winter the lack of humidity in the air can actually suck moisture from your skin; this is called trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). What this means in layman’s terms, is that the dry air dehydrates the skin.
Humidifiers help counteract the dryness in the air, making this process less likely to sabotage your skin. The result is dewy skin, despite the frightful weather outside.
Boost your hyaluronic acid intake
Hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture. However, used on its own, the potent ingredient has the ability to end up dehydrating skin further. Since hyaluronic acid (HA) acts as a sponge, when used on its own in a dry environment, it can actually end up sucking pre-existing moisture from your skin. To use HA safely, always apply on damp skin, and follow up with a heavy moisturizer to help lock in the serum.
One of our favorites? SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier. This super-serum amplifies the skin’s HA levels by 30%, making it the ideal choice for protecting your skin this winter. Don’t miss out on this magic formula!
Apply sunscreen
Lastly, make sure you’re not forgetting the SPF just because it’s a bit chillier, and a bit grayer outside. Not only can the sun detriment your physical health, but it’s also the number one cause of premature aging and loss of radiance. Be sure to slather on sunscreen of at least SPF 30 as part of your daily skincare routine.
The weather may be chilly, but that doesn’t mean your skin needs to suffer. Give us a call at (208) 888-0660 to book your skin appointment and stay hydrated all winter long!