Say Goodbye to Dry with This Winter Skincare Routine

While we love the holidays, sweater weather, and the cold crisp air, when it comes to our skin, winter is NOT the most wonderful time of the year. Too much indoor heat, a lack of sun (vitamin D deficiencies can create skin issues), and cold air causes our skin to become dehydrated, flaky, and cracked—it doesn’t take long for our skin to get seriously out of whack. Fortunately, there is hope by making a few solid changes to your skincare routine. We’re talking easy, small swaps or additions that will take your skin from looking dry to fly in no time. From cleansers to layering your serums and face masks, here’s how you say goodbye to dry skin this winter. 

Stay Consistent 

Start by staying consistent with your normal skincare routine. Now is not the time to try a bunch of new products—your skin is irritated enough. Instead stay diligent with your normal skincare routine with these steps for both morning and night.

• Morning: Start with cleansing, then apply a serum (or two), followed by a moisturizer. Pat on an eye cream and then add your sunscreen before applying any makeup.
• At Night: Cleanse, making sure you remove all your makeup. Then follow the same steps as your morning routine. You should consider adding an essential oil as the last step of your nighttime skincare routine or other anti-aging products. 

 

Make This Swap

Swap your normal cleanser with one that will not only remove all the makeup and grime that’s accumulated on your skin during the day, but will also help other products penetrate your skin and increase their efficacy. Double-cleansing is designed to remove sweat, bacteria and old skin cells by using two steps that both clean and exfoliate the skin. Consisting of a deep pore cleansing oil which bonds with the natural oils in the skin to wash away makeup and bacteria, and an herbal toner that exfoliates and gets in deep to remove any impurities, double cleansing keeps your skin hyper-clean while not drying it out or changing the pH. 

Other winter skincare cleanser swaps include a cream, milk or oil cleanser. Gentle and comforting to the skin, especially if your skin is dry, these will support your skin barrier. And consider upgrading to a thicker, creamier moisturizer with the right combination of skin-loving ingredients. Look out for emollients that will condition the skin, humectants that will draw and bind moisture to the skin, and occlusives that will seal everything in.

 

Get Serious About Serums

If you’ve been considering adding a serum, now is the time. Designed to protect and improve the overall health of your skin, serums are the perfect little addition to your winter skincare routine. These antioxidant powerhouses can help prevent dehydration, fight aging and wrinkles, and heal the skin while you sleep. When applying serums, know that a little bit goes a long way. Add 2-3 small pumps to one palm, rub your hands gently together and spread over your face and neck. Most serums can also be brought to your eye area. Winter is also a good time to start layering your skincare products. A good rule of thumb when it comes to layering your skincare is to layer the lightest to the heaviest (think toner, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen). A facial oil is an exception to this rule, and must always be applied last as it has the highest molecular weight of any moisturizer and is occlusive. Using a facial oil in the morning? Then apply right before your sunscreen as the last step.

Add a Mask

Winter is the best time to incorporate a facial mask into your skincare routine. They can help lift away dullness, moisturize, and restore the skin. Just think of it as that little skincare push your dehydrated skin needs. Plus a little self care goes a long way—especially during the holiday season—so give yourself permission once a week to take 10-15 minutes and relax.