Main image courtesy of Deposit Photos.
By the time December rolls around, chances are the temperatures have dropped and the humidity is gone from the air. Winter is a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family, enjoy our indoor hobbies, and maybe even try out some outdoor activities like skiing and ice skating. Just because it’s colder out, and there may be snow, doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderful season!
Unfortunately, even though we may enjoy the scenic beauty of winter, our skin typically has a hard time adjusting to wind, snow, and cold. If you’re dealing with the drying effects of winter, perhaps it’s time you re-examined your winter skincare routine? And maybe that’s something we can help you with! In this article, we’re going to examine five must-have winter skincare products to help your skin look and feel its best:
- A hydrating cleanser
- Vitamin C and SPF
- A top-notch moisturizer
- An antioxidant serum
- Nighttime cream or mask
Have a Hydrating Cleanser
Ensure that your cleanser is working to hydrate your facial skin
Ditch the drying facial cleanser for a gentler, more hydrating one. Image courtesy of the Washingtonian.
Depending on whether or not you have sensitive skin, you may already use a gentle, cream based cleanser. However if you don’t, wintertime is the perfect opportunity to change your foaming cleanser out for one that won’t strip away any oils from your facial skin.
With the lower temperatures of winter weather and drier air from our heated homes, our skin is already feeling the need to keep moisture locked in. A good cleanser will remove dirt, oil, and makeup while keeping your skin hydrated.
Pro tip: One other thing to keep in mind for wintertime skincare, don’t make your showers too hot. While cold weather might seem like the ideal time to take a hot shower, try and resist the urge.
Keeping the shower short and the water temperature lukewarm will do wonders to keep your skin from drying out. As soon as you’re done, make sure to put on moisturizing lotion to really keep your skin hydrated.
We suggest: Neutrogena Ultra Hydrating Facial Cleanser. This is an easy to use, gentle cleanser that will clean your face, without taking away the moisture.
Include Vitamin C and SPF
These products are necessary for your wintertime skincare routine too
As always, include vitamin C and SPF in your wintertime skincare routine. Image courtesy of Cosmopolitan.
If you’ve read our other seasonal skincare guides for summer and fall, you know that we’re big proponents of adding vitamin C and SPF to your daily routine—no matter what the season! SPF is needed year round, and not just in the summertime. By including it in your daily skincare routine, you’re ensuring that your facial skin is protected from harmful UV rays that don’t go away in the winter. In fact, you can still get a sunburn from winter sun, especially if it’s reflecting off the snow.
Vitamin C is a great go-to option for your skin as well, since it works to smooth wrinkles and reduce hyperpigmentation. There’s also the added benefit that it can give your skin a great overall glow.
We suggest: Try finding a product that has both SPF and vitamin C together, like Supergoop’s Daily Dose. Or, you can use a lotion or moisturizer that contains SPF like Elta MD UV Lotion Sunscreen.
Moisturize!
Winter is the season to ensure your skin is moisturized. Pack up the lighter lotions from summer, and instead opt for heavier creams for the colder weather. This is true not only for the facial creams you use, but for those that you put on the rest of your skin as well.
Look for heavier moisturizers that contain ceramides, which are fatty acids that keep moisture locked into our skin. Apply this to your face after your vitamin C and SPF step to really protect your skin in the cold weather.
You may also want to find a moisturizer that contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid that you can apply to your body after you get out of the shower, or before bed at night. It’s essential that you get into the routine of moisturizing your skin in order to prevent flaky skin and potential seasonal eczema.
Pro tip: Take your moisturizing game up a level with a body wash or soap with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil.
We suggest: Skinbetter Hydration Boosting Cream. This cream uses both ceramides and botanical lipids to keep skin hydrated and looking its best.
Try an Antioxidant Serum
Antioxidants help combat inflammation and dry skin
If you find that each winter you’re dealing with irritated and inflamed skin, it might be time to try an antioxidant serum. These helpful serums can help undo the damage that is done by free radicals on your skin. An antioxidant serum will also help brighten your complexion while giving your skin a boost of hydration.
We suggest: PCA Skin C&E Antioxidant Face Serum. This goes on smooth like a cream and is designed to be easily and quickly absorbed.
Use a Nighttime Cream or Mask
Give your skin a little extra moisturizing this winter
Overnight masks are a great way to give your skin a boost of extra moisture. Image courtesy of Fed & Fit.
We all know that facial masks are a wonderful way to give your skin a reboot. Depending on which one you choose, you can give your skin a deep clean, moisturize, or exfoliate. But did you know there are masks that hydrate your skin that you can leave on overnight? Well now you do! Nighttime is the perfect time to deeply moisturize your skin.
After all, what better way to lock in all the creams and serums you put on your skin before bed than with an overnight mask? This is one of the best ways to ensure your skin gets hydrated as nighttime is when the skin works to repair itself.
We suggest: Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask. Put it on right before bed and wake up to some wonderfully soft and hydrated skin.
Don’t Forget to Stay Hydrated
You can add a lot of helpful products to your winter skincare routine, but if you aren’t drinking enough water and staying hydrated, you’re not doing right by your skin! Make sure you’re also working to hydrate from the inside out by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and before bed.
These are our top five winter skincare products, sure to help your skin when the temperatures get cold. Add these to your routine and see the difference it can make! If you’d like to add botox or dermal fillers this winter, contact us at Dr. Elizabeth Wakim’s office today.