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Want to have the smoothest, healthy-looking skin this winter? Today you’re going to learn exactly how.
Most of us can notice our skin getting worse during winter, this is because in the colder months is definitely harder to retain moisture leading to dryness, irritation, peeling, and sensitivity. Also, acne, eczema, and rosacea tend to worsen during this time of the year, if you suffer from any of these, listen up! You need to love your skin now more than ever.
By having the right skincare routine for you, you can absolutely change the game this winter; that is exactly what you’ll learn today.
Also, do not forget your body. I’m sure you don’t want to have the most perfect fresh and juicy face while your legs look like they’re dying of thirst, am I right? Don’t worry, we are going to cover that too!
How to build your winter skincare routine
When building your winter skincare routine we need to pay attention to some things that look ordinary but can actually make a huge difference for our dry dull-looking skin.
1. Your cleanser choice can make or break you
During the winter season, I suggest you shy away from foaming cleansers and cleansers that contain actives such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
I know these kinds of cleansers can be super beneficial but they tend to be more drying and irritating which is what you are trying to prevent right now. If you rely on them to prevent or treat certain skin issues I suggest you use them only at night, when you can use more heavy-duty products on top.
Gentle cleansers and cleansing balms
Instead, prefer cream-based non-foaming cleansers and oil cleansers. During the colder months, I personally love to double cleanse since not only it’s going to get my face cleanser but I can also get the super emollient effect of oils.
Right now I’m loving the combination of these two cleansers for my double cleansing: I use the Caudalie vinoclean cleansing oil to remove my makeup and the CeraVe hydrating cleanser.
I absolutely love this combination, it leaves my skin super plump and hydrated and is able to actually remove my makeup and sunscreen without me having to rub my skin to get it clean.
Even if you don’t like to double cleanse I highly suggest you use a cleansing balm as opposed to micellar water or wipes since it is more gentle and hydrating overall.
I also really loved the Aveeno calm and restore nourishing oat cleanser which contains colloidal oat milk which is a super ingredient when it comes to calming the skin. It has a milky, creamy consistency and is super gentle! It is also fantastic for sensitive skin and very cheap.
Adjust the frequency of cleansing
The more often you wash your face the more vulnerable your skin will be to dehydration. If you feel like your skin is super tight and itchy you may want to consider backing down on cleansing overall. For example, you could wash your face only at night.
Pay attention to the water temperature
In particular, hot water is a big no-no for the winter because it’s going to damage your lipid barrier – aka the skin barrier – even further.
2. What you use in the shower is important
As for your face, hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and cause dehydration since it can damage your skin barrier. I personally love hot long showers during the winter season as well as baths but they are actually not beneficial.
I’m not saying avoid them entirely but be mindful of them, especially if you feel like your skin is particularly dry, itchy, or patchy.
If you really like taking your time in the shower at least try and use cold to lukewarm water.
Also, make sure to use a gentle body wash! We’ll talk more about them in a minute.
3. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
Exfoliation is key for having smooth skin and getting rid of those nasty dry patches. A warning though, if you overdo it you can end up causing irritation and more dryness so you need to have a conservative approach when it comes to exfoliation.
As a general rule, chemical exfoliation is superior to physical exfoliation since the latter can end up spreading acne and is easier to exaggerate.
To summarize, watch your exfoliating habits and be gentle with your skin. Exfoliate in moderation to keep your skin happy and avoid physical exfoliants at least for your face.
4. Hydrating serums are key
I feel like serums are not a mandatory step in a skincare routine but boy, they do help. Personally, serums make me feel boujee and I find great difference whenever I use them (not all serums of course).
You could also use serums to address your personal skin concerns during this step, for example, a salicylic acid serum for acne and when you feel like your skin is particularly dry and need a little bit of a boost come back to these hydrating ones.
Here are some wonderful ingredients I encourage you to look out for in a serum:
- Beta-glucans
- Peptides
- Marine extracts
- Algae
Of course, if at this point you’re curious to check out their whole line as I did, you can try Aveeno cam and restore triple oat serum. This is very soothing while still being lightweight and it’s going to provide the boost of hydration you’re looking for.
5. Your moisturizer is your winter best friend
Moisturizing is key all year round but during winter is going to feel necessary especially if you have dry or sensitive skin (it does not mean is less important for oilier skin types!).
A lot of people enjoy using lightweight lotions and gels to avoid feeling greasy throughout the summer months but when winter arrives you want to be prepared to moisturize your skin properly with thick cream.
A moisturizer is made up of three key ingredients:
- Humectants to hold on to water such as hyaluronic acid.
- Emollients to soften the dry skin cells.
- Occlusives to seal in moisture and avoid epidermal water loss such as glycerin, my personal favorite.
If you need help in choosing your moisturizer I suggest you check out this article where I go in-depth about the best moisturizers for dry skin I was able to find out there.
6. Don’t forget sunscreen
As in any other season, you must use sunscreen! If you already have a favorite sunscreen you absolutely don’t have to change it so you can at least save on that.
If you are on the hunt for great sunscreens though, these are my recommendations.
- La Roche Posay toleriane moisturizer with SPF. This is fantastic, it also will keep at bay any irritation you may have and it’s a heavy-duty moisturizer.
- Altruist dermatologist sunscreen face fluid. This is wonderful for dry skin, it comes with a pack of two for 100 ml each.
- Beauty of Joseon sunscreen. This is my personal favorite, it is super hydrating while still being lightweight, highly recommend it.
- Black girl sunscreen. Perfect if you have a darker skin tone, I guarantee you will not notice any white cast.
7. Protect your skin barrier
Skin barrier health is crucial to have that healthy glow and for having great skin in general. If you want to know how to take care of your skin barrier I have a complete guide on how to protect and heal your skin barrier.
Steps for an easy winter skincare routine
To summarize here is your super simple skincare routine for dry skin, perfect for winter.
- Gentle creamy cleanser
- Light exfoliation (2-3 times a week)
- Calming and hydrating serum
- Rich moisturizer
- Sunscreen
How to get rid of the “winter itch”
Itch is a miserable sensation that can occur alongside dry skin, especially during winter. If you experienced you know it is frustrating and super annoying to deal with.
Also, the itch can interfere with sleep quality which is correlated to your skin barrier health. So it is basically a vicious cycle of itchiness and dryness I would not want you to experience which is why I wanted to include a few tips here.
I know this is not great to hear, but I promise is good advice, if you feel itchy DO NOT SCRATCH! It just will lead to more itchiness.
Instead, apply moisturizer as soon as you feel itchy. Rubbing can kind of distract the itch and give you some relief.
Also, you can try CeraVe itch relief moisturizing lotion. It contains the usual ceramides as well as pramoxine hydrochloride which can really soothe your itch nerve, I promise you.
Winter body skincare
1. Gentle body wash
Generally, it is believed you need to lather soap and foam all over your body to smell and feel clean. While the effect can be exactly that you don’t necessarily need it to be clean!
Instead, especially in the winter season, prefer gentle body washes that are sulfate-free. As for the fragrance, if you’re not sensitive to it feel free to use it. Personally, I love to lather something with a great smell on my body after a long day.
The key here is consistency, you want it to be creamy and hydrating just like your cleanser.
My suggestion is the Aveeno restorative skin therapy sulfate-free body wash. Can you tell I love this brand 😂?
Seriously, this is not going to make you feel fancy but your skin will thank you for it. This body wash contains panthenol which is an amazing humectant and of course, oats which are packed with lipids and humectants as well.
2. Exfoliate
If you want a really light exfoliation you can pair a loofah sponge or exfoliating mitts with your body wash. I honestly feel like they don’t do much for my skin but they can be a great ally for sensitive skin.
If you want to take it a step further I highly suggest CeraVe SA cleanser this is amazing to get soft skin as well as get rid of keratosis pilaris. I suggest avoid to use it every day, maybe sticking to two to three times a week.
3. Moisturize
The best way to moisturize during winter is when you first get out of the shower while your skin is still damp, apply a generous layer of your favorite moisturizer and call it a night. This little change can really make a huge difference.
With I’m sure no surprise on your part I’m going to suggest the Aveeno restorative skin therapy oat repairing cream. Basically, I adore this line for the colder months: it is super effective and very cheap so what’s not to like?
This cream contains prebiotic oats that act as moisturizers since they have humectants (beta-glucans), emollients (oils), and occlusives, the moisturizer also contains petrolatum which is one of the best occlusives out there.
The last tip I have for you is to have some type of oil in the shower and right before you get out you gently apply it over your body and then rinse. This will leave your skin super smooth and soft.
There are a lot of fancy oils out there but honestly, I found extra-virgin olive oil to be the absolute best!
This post was all about the best tips to build the perfect winter skincare routine for your face and body.
Want to know the best moisturizer for dry skin?
Here you can find dry skin heaven.
