When the weather changes, so should your skincare routine. You wouldn’t wear sandals in the winter, or a scarf in the summer, and those same principles ring true when it comes to taking care of your skin.
The skin is the bodies largest organ, yet so many people apply a blanket “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to their routine. As things cool down, here are the best 6 tips for making sure your skin stays healthy and glowing through the climate changing.
One of the stealthiest culprits of brittle skin is dry air. One of the more understated ways to combat dry air is with a humidifier. During the cooler the dry air can actually suck moisture from you skin; the technical term for this is trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), but simply put, the dry air dehydrates the skin. Humidifiers help counteract the dryness in the air, making it less likely to evaporate the moisture from your skin. The result? Dewy, glowing skin— even when the weather feels otherwise.
A lot of toners and astringents contain alcohol. While the appeal of alcohol-based products is tempting (a de-greased, weightless feeling) the cons ultimately outweigh the pros. When you’re shopping for product looks out for SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol. If you happen upon any of these ingredients (particularly listed in the first six ingredients) it’s smarter to pass. Not only can the added alcohol contribute to dryness, but it can also cause erosion and make it difficult for the skin to renew and replenish itself. As soon as the temperature drops, store these products away with the sweaters.
Cream cleansers tend to be easier on sensitive skin. When the temperature drops, chances are that your skin is going to experience some redness and irritation. Since cream-based cleaners tend to be thicker and less acidic (as opposed to foaming and some oil cleaners), they offer a moisturizing alternative during the cooler months. However, if you’re someone prone to acne and breakouts or simply someone with oily skin, a cream-based cleanser may cause your skin to be a bit more susceptible to breakouts so be sure to use spot treatments as needed.
Hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture (which is why it’s the active ingredient in dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvederm). However, used on its own, the potent ingredient has the ability end up dehydrating skin further. Since Hyaluronic Acid (HA) acts as a sponge, when used on its own in a dry environment, it can actually end up sucking pre-existing moisture from your skin. To use HA safely, always apply on damp skin, and follow up with a heavy moisturizer to help lock in the serum. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally throughout the body, but is lost as we age. HA (you probably know it as Juvederm or Restylane) as an injectable filler immediately restores the loss of volume that happens as we age. This super-ingredient isn’t one to sleep on.
As the temperature drops and your skin adjusts, investing in vitamin E oil and jojoba oil can help soften the impact. Vitamin E helps your skin lock in moisture, and additionally helps prevent dry, flaking skin. The impressive oil helps prevent itchiness and can be used to aid in relieving symptoms of any dermatitis (notably psoriasis and eczema). Don’t go overboard…do a treatment once or twice a week only. Jojoba Oil is what experts refer to as a humectant ingredient, meaning it’s known for retaining moisture. Seal your skin with a protective barrier of this powerful oil to keep your skin from losing moisture. ***Pro Tip: Coconut oil is great for many things but is comedogenic…meaning it clogs pores and causes blackheads. So keep this one for your hair and food but off your face.
Lastly, make sure you’re not sleeping on SPF just because it’s a bit chillier, and a bit grayer outside. Not only can the sun detriment your physical health, it’s also the number one cause of premature aging and loss of radiance. Be sure to slather on sunscreen of at least SPF 30 as part of your daily skin care routine.
The weather may be changing, but that doesn’t mean your skin needs to suffer. Start preparing to shift your skincare routine, so you can keep glowing later.
