Winter Skincare Routine
Your wardrobe isn’t the only thing that you need to switch this coming winter. Your usual lightweight, skincare routine that worked all summer long might not cut it come November. As colder temperatures, frigid air approaches, it can suck the natural moisture from your skin and leave you feeling dryer than usual. These weather conditions can also spark skin sensitivity, redness and irritation. It’s time to lather and layer up your skincare routine as well.
We’re not talking about a complete 180 in your skincare regimen, just a few simple swaps and additions that will protect your skin’s moisture barrier and keep it healthy. Here’s a few tips on how you can tweak your skincare routine for the wintertime:
- Take Warm, Not Hot, Showers
We know there’s no better feeling than taking a hot steaming shower in the winter to warm up, but you should avoid this indulgence. Prolonged hot showers and exposure to water can dry out your skin and overstrip it from its natural moisture. It removes the skin’s healthy oils from the surface, ultimately leaving it dehydrated. And for my oily skin types, that will just start the cycle of your skin overproducing oil to make up for what was lost, and starting the cycle for body acne.
Take short lukewarm showers, no more than once a day and follow up immediately with a rich moisturizer to lock in hydration. You may need to apply more than you typically use in the summertime to ensure proper hydration.
- Use a Good Exfoliant
The benefits of exfoliating are no secret. Gentle exfoliation removes dead skin cells accumulated from dry, winter air leaving you with glowing skin that will better absorb the rest of your products in your routine (ahem - our Micro Exfoliant is great). But make sure you don’t overdo it in the winter. If your skin becomes too dry or irritated from the winter climate, skip out on exfoliating to protect your moisture barrier and start up again when your barrier has been restored. Exfoliating when your skin is in that state will do more harm than good with the potential to further dry and further irritate the skin.
Exfoliate once per week and advance up to two times per week if your skin can handle it. If you notice your body is flakier than usual, incorporate body exfoliating with dry brushing. Use a dry brush in light, circulate motions to exfoliate dry skin and promote lymphatic drainage.
- Use Hydrating Gentle Cleansers
Opt for gentle cleansing milk and aloe-based cleansers for the skin to avoid overstripping the skin. These are ultra hydrating formulas that have natural moisturizing agents in them while still being able to break down impurities and buildup in the skin. Look for fragrance-free formulas to avoid any skin irritation.
Our Olea Cleansing Gel is perfect for the wintertime! An aloe-based formula that is filled with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, guaranteed to keep your moisture levels balanced while thoroughly cleansing your pores.
- Layer Up With Hydrating Actives
Think of your winter skincare routine like your winter wardrobe…layer your products. And we don’t mean layer any bundle of products just for the sake of it - the ingredients matter. You want hydrating ingredients that will protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier during the winter. Incorporate hydrating serums in your routine before applying your moisturizer. Look for serums and moisturizers that contain great hydrating actives like hyaluronic acid, honey, glycerin, sweet almond oil, etc.
- Wear SPF
Regardless if it seems sunny or not, you still need to lather on your SPF. You can still experience sun damage and sunburns during the winter. So skipping on your sunscreen during this season can increase dryness and sensitivity in the skin.
