Winter can bring a lot of changes to your skin.
I would see clients with red, parched, flaky skin in the winter months, and would discover they were using the same products they used in the summer.
Time to make some changes!
With colder temperatures and lower humidity, our skin feels the effects! Dull, dry, tight feeling, uncomfortable and no glow.
Our body skin changes also. Dead skin flakes everywhere and dry, dry, dry! We have all had it!
Where I live the winters are long, so I have to have a plan in place to try and keep my skin feeling comfortable and looking healthy.
With some tweaking of products and adding some moisture-binding ingredients, you can really change how your skin looks and feels in the winter. No added time, just a few quick targeted products will make all the difference!
Let’s dive in and get some answers for your skin care this winter season!
Moisture and more moisture!!
If you are using the same cleanser you used in the summer, it’s time to switch it up. This is the first step in maintaining your moisture level in the skin without over stripping it. Here are the type of cleansers to look for:
Cleansers
- Cream based – Rinses off clean, or remove with a damp washcloth
- Cleansing Oil – A couple of pumps of an oil based cleanser will dissolve all make-up and cleanse the skin thoroughly, leaving it soft and hydrated. It feels wonderful also!
- Hydrating foam – For those who like more of a foamy type of cleanser (just make sure it says words like “Hydrating” and not “Deep Cleansing”)
Now let’s add a specialty serum and oil that will really start targeting the moisture in your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet! It has the ability to hold onto 1000x its weight in moisture! Your skin is going to drink this in! It is correcting and your skin will start to hold moisture longer over time. This will leave your skin healthy and more deeply moisturized.
- Tone the skin first
- 2-3 pumps of the hyaluronic acid onto your fingertips, then apply all over your face, and neck also. It’s usually a thin product, and a little goes a long way!
Facial Oil
You know how I love facial oil! They are a game changer for the skin! Paring this with hyaluronic acid will take your skin to another level in moisture!
- 2-3 drops on top of the hyaluronic acid is all you need
Moisturizer
If you are still using the same moisturizer that you used in the summer, it’s time to change!
- Go heavier. You will usually see words like “Ulta-Hydrating, or Deeply Moisturizing”. That’s what you want.
(Optional)
- Night Creams. These are usually very rich in moisture content. I usually pull these out in the winter time to use.
- Hydrating Masks. 1-2 times a week. These are different from the ones I use in the summer. In the summer I use masks with ingredients like glycolic, or other acids. I find them too drying in the winter, so I use more hydrating, firming, brightening type masks in the winter.
Don’t forget!
- Exfoliation. You still need to do it, to get rid of the dead skin cells that can build up. Gentle and no more than a couple of times a week. Look for a creamier type of exfoliation product that you can use in the shower or at your sink. Quick and easy!
- Body Scrubs. Keep those flakes away with a weekly body scrub and use a body lotion afterwards.
- Healthy fats in your diet. Avocados, nuts, coconut, etc. Moisturize from the inside out!
- Omega 3’s. 2000 mg a day. So important for hydration at a cellular level.
- Vitamin D. With less sunshine in winter aim to keep your levels optimal for a healthier you and healthier moods. It will also strengthen your immune system. Know what your Vitamin D number is. A quick blood test will give you your results.
- Water. Don’t forget to drink water all winter long.
Hope this helps you to think of making some changes this winter in your skin care. Just a few tweaks you will be amazed at how different your skin can feel. Simple, targeted, and effective changes you can see and feel!
Until next time, stay hydrated!
~pat
