The Right Way to Take Care of Your Skin in Winter

Winter Skincare Tips

The skincare products that usually stay on the surface of your skin start to disappear into your skin. That’s when you know it’s winter, and your skin is parched. All skin types, especially dry skin, deal with dryness during this season.

The reason why your skin gets dry in the winter is because of the low humidity. Low humidity dries out your skin no matter your skin type. And all your skin problems can be pretty much boiled down to this.

To help you manage the process, below are the best winter skincare tips to follow for healthy and glowing skin. Keep reading to find out the right way to take care of your skin in winter.

Winter Skincare Tips

1. Switch to a cream cleanser.

If you have dry skin, you probably already have a decent and preferably non-foaming, SLS-free cleanser to wash your face.

Avoiding harsh cleansers is not exclusive to wintertime. It’s a general rule of thumb at this point and you probably already know that.

But if you’ve been doing that, know that the skin reacts to it way worse during the winter. If you’re ready to switch, this is the time to do it.

You can add an oil cleanser for double cleansing to use before your regular cleanser. This will reduce the potential dryness from cleansing.

But if you want to be on the gentler side, get yourself a cream cleanser that won’t further dry out your skin in cold winter weather.

2. Use hydrating toners in winter.

As brilliant multi-taskers, there are different types of toners. Even though they can be great supplements to add to your skincare routine, you need to choose your toner wisely.

During winter, use hydrating toners and stay away from exfoliating and astringent ones. You do not have to get a toner.

But if you want to have an additional layer of hydration after you clean your face, try face toners made with soothing and hydrating ingredients.

3. Leave exfoliation to cream formulas.

Dry skin gets flaky but is also equally sensitive. And exfoliating it sounds counterintuitive in winter. But there is a sweet spot where you exfoliate and get rid of flakiness and dullness without stripping or irritating your skin.

The best way to do that is by using hydroxy acids in a cream form. Exfoliating moisturizers such as glycolic acid creams are way gentler on the skin than exfoliating toners or peels.

Because they deliver the acids into the skin with a very moisturizing base. If your skin isn’t sensitive, you can also try once-a-week liquid peels for exfoliation.

4. Use the right type of moisturizer.

We’ve mentioned the different types of moisturizers and what to look for in one according to your skin type. To recap, here’s what you need to know.

If you have dry skin, go for emollient and occlusive moisturizers. Emollients like fatty acids, ceramides, and oils are great moisturizers.

Occlusives, on the other hand, sit on top of your skin and make it almost impossible for it to dry out. They literally lock water in. And that’s exactly what dry skin types need: preventing transepidermal water loss.

If you have oily skin, try moisturizers that are packed with humectants but also contain emollients. This balance between water and oil is key to hydrating the skin without clogging your pores.

For best results, apply your hydrating products like serums and moisturizers to your damp skin. Also, try face oils for better moisture.

5. Remember body care.

Skincare isn’t just about your face, it also includes body care. When you start seeing dead skin cells shedding off as you take off your black yoga pants, it’s time to exfoliate. You can try dry brushing as a way to physically exfoliate.

You can also try body peels for exfoliation, which are more targeted and effective. And remember to include a replenishing body lotion to moisturize all over especially elbows, knees, and feet.

6. Carry a lip balm.

Always carry a lip balm with you to moisturize and prevent dryness and chapped lips. This can be a difficult habit to establish if you’re not used to it.

But to encourage yourself, get a cutely packaged, colorful, and nice-smelling tinted SPF lip balm to carry in your pocket or even around your neck.

7. Remember under-eye care.

You may already be dealing with dry skin around your eyes. Maybe you only deal with it during winter. Either way, dry, flaky under-eyes make it impossible to get smooth skin and a smooth makeup application.

So as an essential winter skincare tip, never skip this step and always apply eye cream. If you can afford to switch, try oil-based ones as opposed to eye serums or eye gels.

But if you generally have oily skin, never forget to wash your face and the eye area twice a day. Leaving an oily eye cream in that area can cause milia.

Additionally, try under-eye patches and masks for quick results. They boost hydration around the eyes by plumping up the skin. And they help a lot with puffy eyes and dark circles.

8. Protect from the sun.

The reason why SPF is important during winter is that your skin is extra sensitive. So your skin becomes more prone to irritation from sun exposure when you’re not wearing sunscreen.

So there’s no reason to take a break from sun protection just because the summer is over. The least you can do is make sure your moisturizer has SPF in it.

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