Winter is coming! Is your skin ready? Here are 7 steps to get better skin this winter
By Lora O’Brien
Wind. Freezing temperatures. Indoor heating. All of these factors can wreak havoc on our skin. The mix of cold with low humidity steals all moisture, leaving us with a dull, dry complexion that’s prone to flaking, redness and even cracking.
What’s worse, to combat the cold, we turn up the central heating and take longer, hotter showers and baths – all of which magnify the drying effect on our skin.
Of course, the products which you choose to moisturise matter greatly. But alongside your skincare routine, I have 7 steps to get better winter skin, below.
7 Ways To Protect Your Skin This Winter
1. Choose warm over hot water
Sure, when it’s freezing cold outside, every part of us craves a long, warm bath to bring us back to life. But whilst this can momentarily warm you up it can also make your skin suffer more.
Hot water strips essential oils away from the skin, so when taking a bath or a shower keep the water warm, and resist the temptation to spend more than 5-7 minutes in the shower. This is one of those steps to better winter skin that will not only save your face, but money on your energy bill, too!
2. Moisturise immediately afterwards
This is probably the most obvious way to steps to get better winter skin! Your skin is screaming out for moisture during winter, and no time is more pivotal than after we wash. I know placing cold cream onto cold skin can feel like torture, so do so right after you’ve washed. Tip: Applying a moisturiser to skin when it’s damp will help lock in moisture.
Skin boosters are also an excellent solution to keep your skin hydrated and radiant during the colder months. These treatments involve injecting a blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and antioxidants into the skin, delivering deep hydration while stimulating collagen production.
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
We tend to forget the importance of water during winter, and who can blame us? Every coffee shop we passes has the alluring scent of sugary winter beverages. But remember that to hydrate our skin on the outside, we need to hydrate from the inside. And that means water!
Want to know the easiest way to incorporate this step to better winter skin? Try to swap your morning coffee for a hot tea or infusion or warm water with lemon. Not only will it freshen your breath it will also hydrate and perk up your skin.
4. Slough it off
‘Dry’ is pretty much how most of would describe our winter skin. So to keep it more supple, slough it off! For your face, use a good natural exfoliant once every one or two weeks. For your body, you can use a scrub in the shower, or slough off dead skin with a coarse body brush before showering. Bonus: this also helps your lymph system detoxify!
5. Take advantage of the darker days
Got sun spots? Skin feeling flaky? Face looking dull? Now is the time to take advantage of the darker days to do a deep peel. That’s because in the summer, whatever good you do for your skin can be undone by the sun’s rays. In winter, you’re more likely to be inside, right? Plus the days are way shorter – so, less sun.
Sure, you could go to a dermatologist’s to do this professionally. And that will be a seriously deep peel. In other words, you’ll probably have to take some down time. But if you want a lighter – but still effective – peel, you can just get a good at-home product to try.
For example, Dennis Gross skincare makes a fabulous peeling cream that can get your skin glowing, from home. It’s formulated by Dr Dennis Gross himself – he’s a well known skincare expert. So, trustworthy! Tip: You can take his peel quiz to see what kind of peel would be best for your skin here.
6. Protect yourself outside
The outdoor elements are hell on your skin! Be sure you’re covering your face with a scarf if possible. And try to minimise your time outside in the cold and wind. If you’re a fan of outdoor sports, understand that just because it’s not hot out doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be wearing sun block!
7. Choose your skincare carefully
In winter, we need to slather on creams from nose to toes. And if you’re not using clean beauty products, that can mean you’re covering yourself in nasty chemicals! Choose a pure skincare product with lots of natural, nourishing ingredients, like shea butter, coconut oil, chamomile or jojoba oil, for example.
Not sure what to buy? Check our product suggestions for better winter skin, below. You can also see our best organic skin creams for the face here.
Some Natural Products For Better Winter Skin
1. Dr Dennis Gross Vitamin C Serum
It’s always a good idea to brighten your skin with Vitamin C. And this serum is a great way to do it!
It combines lactic acid with 15% L-ascorbic acid to increase absorption and enhance antioxidant performance. The result? A visible transformation of sun-aged skin. This formula has been clinically proven to firm skin, smooth wrinkles, and fade dark spots.
Best for: Strengthening the moisture barrier of your skin. Perfect for winter!
Price: $87
2. Eminence Organic Stone Crop Cleansing Oil
When the weather’s dry, it’s wise to switch to an oil based cleanser. Foaming cleansers can strip your skin of its natural oils, making dry skin even worse, but this gorgeous cleansing oil is enriched with super-nourishing ingredients such as jojoba and sunflower oil, which work to wash away grime and dirt.
Best for: Gently getting rid of dry skin and dirt
Price: $59
3. Natura Bisse Vitamin C Scrub
When your skin is dry, it can clog up your pores, causing dullness or breakouts, so you may need a little extra pampering to keep your skin clean and healthy. Using a peel will naturally scoop out crap from those tiny holes in your skin, without leaving you dry. This gel-like formula also gives your skin a shot of anti-oxidising vitamin C.
Best for: Sloughing off dry skin and infusing your face with protective, nutritious Vitamin C. It also lightens dark spots.
Price: $75
4. One Love Organics Skin Saviour Wonder Balm
Aren’t multitasking beauty products fabulous? Skin Saviour does so much! It’s one of the most essential steps for better winter skin, with good reason.
This balm removes dirt and makeup without stripping the skin at all. It then works to moisturise, with an antioxidant-rich blend of coconut oil, mango butter, jojoba and chia. It even acts as a primer!
Best for: Deep cleaning winter skin of makeup; moisturising anywhere that needs TLC on the face or body
Price: $49
5. Weleda Skin Food
There’s nothing quite as rich as this thick, rich, slightly citrusy scented cream. It’s a bit goopy in texture, but penetrates even the driest skin fast and deep. Some say it’s too rich for the face, as it leaves a bit of a sheen, but I’d prefer to say it’s more of a ‘glow.’ I do use it on my face, but it’s especially miraculous on cuticles, elbows and heels in winter.
Best for: Taking care of seriously dry skin on the face or body
Price: $17
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