New Season, New Skincare Routine?
Potentially.
Depending on where you are, temperatures are dropping. The air is dryer, the wind is in full force, and indoor heat is rising. All factors can be quite intense on our skin.
Plus, as we just celebrated Winter Solstice this past week, we were reminded that we're certainly deep in the cold season. And this is a season that can bring a lot of challenges to many: it's darker (hello seasonal affective disorder), it can be lonelier (less time spent outdoors and more time cozied up at home), and even more sedentary (it hurts just to think about going outside).
But it's not all bad. This post from Four Corners Studio reminded me that when there's dark, there's also light. And the good news is that it's uphill from here: the days will start to get longer and we're closer to light every passing day. Plus, some ideas on how to celebrate the solstice (even if it’s no longer that day, many fun ideas!)
Not to say that we're out of the woods. And if your skin is feeling parched because of winter, there's still a while longer until the weather changes.
Here are some tips for your skincare during winter:
What worked during summer (and potentially fall), might not work during winter:
You probably don't need to cleanse your face so much. Continue your nightly cleansing ritual (remove makeup and SPF) but skip the morning cleanse!
And on the topic of cleansing, if your skin is feeling dry and tight, switch your foaming or gel cleanser for a creamy or oil-based cleanser.
The goal is never to feel squeaky clean after cleansing, but especially in the winter, this will result in overdrying your skin
Layer your products: although I don't believe in a 20-step skincare routine, this time of year might warrant adding a few extra hydrating products
For example, a hydrating toner or mist to start your routine, followed by a hydrating serum that will add more humectants and water-based hydration under a heavier moisturizer or oil.
A tip about hydrating toner or spritzers: now's the time to incorporate those that contain additional ingredients, like minerals and oils, and not just water. As I mentioned, this adds an extra layer of hydration.
A note on alcohol: this is not a bad ingredient (let's stop demonizing ingredients on their own!). However, they can be drying for some people depending on how the product is formulated. This is why I don't usually recommend astringent toners (high in alcohol). Just don't go crazy looking into ingredient lists and crossing out any product that contains alcohol. If you use it and it doesn't dry you out, you're fine! Trial and error, people.
Layering is especially helpful for oilier skin types or acne-prone people who aren't able to do heavy moisturizers. Instead, add those additional layers of lightweight serums that will give you extra protection against dehydration!
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of moisturizers you can find as well as the ingredients to look for in your products
Lay off of drying masks. Unless your skin continues to be super oily (in which case, just focus on the areas where you're most oily like your T-zone), you probably could switch to a hydrating mask instead. If you do continue to use clay masks or the like, follow with a good moisturizing routine!
Similarly to the above, be gentle with your exfoliation. You don't want to skip this because removing dull and dry skin cells will instantly improve the appearance of the skin. This results in improving the texture of the skin, uneven skin tone, and helps other products penetrate better. However, don't overdo it!
If your skin is feeling dry or patchy, exfoliating can help. But don't think that the more you exfoliate, the better. Rather, be gentle and patient with this process. Once a week is probably more than enough and using a less potent exfoliant might be the right change to your routine.
If glycolic acid is too much at this time, consider switching to gentler ones like malic acid or tartaric acid
Enzyme exfoliants can also be gentle, yet effective
Always apply your moisturizer or hydrating serums to damp skin. Applies to both your face and your body. This way you seal in the moisture with your products!
Additionally, as much as possible, try to avoid long hot showers. I know this one is particularly hard since that's what we most want when it's cold outside, but this will also strip the skin from moisture
Don't skip the SPF. Regardless of the time of year, you still want to protect your skin and prevent any sun damage. Continue using SPF. You may find that a more moisturizing SPF will work better this time of year, even if you used an oil-free version over the summer.
Remember that a basic skincare routine consists of cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting with SPF. The same applies during winter, the change might just be on the type of products you use, based on the above tips.
Additionally, here’s a cheat sheet on some popular skincare ingredients you might want to add into your routine!
P.S.
You might not need to change your entire routine. Modify where you think is necessary based on how your skin feels.
Swap some things in your routine and see how your skin responds. Maybe just changing your cleanser is enough. Maybe you also need to change your moisturizer. Skin is unique and only you know what feels best for you.
Winter can be rough. But your skin shouldn't. Remember that things are about to get lighter (season-wise, at least!). Use your skincare time as a ritual and enjoy your me-time!