Just as you change your wardrobe each season, your skincare routine should also accommodate the changes in temperature. Keep in mind that your skin can be greatly affected by the warm summer months and the harsh winter cold. The latter, in particular, can cause dryness, flaking, and chafing. It’s even harder if you have a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis as the cold can cause further flaking, itchiness, and redness.
Thus, it’s important to make appropriate adjustments to your skincare routine when winter sets in. Since the cold can sometimes reach severe levels, the key to an effective winter skincare routine is to pick natural skincare products or those with organic ingredients. Natural and organic beauty products don’t have harsh chemicals in their formulations, thus preventing further skin damage that can arise from cold temperatures. Moreover, natural and organic beauty products tend to be more effective in restoring your skin’s moisture balance while nourishing it at the same time.
You don’t need to make drastic changes to your skincare routine during winter, although some slight modifications are in order. Here are some aspects of your skincare routine that you should focus on to combat the bitter cold:
Heavier Moisturization
Precisely because the winter season is dry, you need to keep your skin moisturized. Instead of using a light moisturizer, which is more appropriate for the summer months, use one that’s on the thicker side. This will prevent your skin from becoming cracked and inflamed because of the temperature drop. For those with existing skin conditions, it’s recommended to moisturize more frequently throughout the day, so keep a lotion or cream always handy wherever you go.
When choosing natural moisturizers, try to pick products that have aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, organic shea butter, or organic coconut oil (only if you are not acne prone), which are all excellent ingredients for retaining your skin’s natural moisture.
Mild Exfoliation Only
During summer, exfoliation is likely a mainstay in your skincare routine. Because of the heat, your oil glands can become overactive and your pores working overtime as you constantly perspire. To get that sticky feeling off and to properly clear away dead skin cells, regular exfoliation is a must.
During winter, though, you might want to take it easy when it comes to exfoliating. Cold, dry temperatures already cause your skin to flake, so using a strong, chemical-heavy exfoliant might cause even more damage and redness. Instead, it’s better to use mild exfoliants that won’t just slough away dead skin cells, but also safely unclog your pores without making your skin drier. When looking for a mild exfoliant, consider using a natural sugar scrub blended with natural oils to maintain your skin’s healthy radiance despite the temperature.
Keep Your Sunscreen
Just because the sun isn’t as bright doesn’t mean you have to retire your sunscreen. Even during winter, keep your sunscreen handy at all times. You might not feel the kind of heat you do during summer, but it isn’t the heat that makes the sun harmful to your skin. It’s the UV rays, which can do just as much damage regardless of the season.
Continue to apply your sunscreen each morning. Effective sunscreens have a minimum SPF level of 15, but it’s recommended to use an SPF 30 sunscreen or higher during winter. Natural sunscreens contain active ingredients from plants like aloe vera and zinc oxide, which can reflect off UV rays. This can help decrease your risk of acquiring skin cancer or melanoma.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Hydration is important during both the summer and winter seasons. This is where it’s really beneficial to use natural and organic skincare products because those that contain synthetic ingredients tend to include drying agents.
Moreover, it’s also important to supplement your skincare routine through your water consumption. Make sure that you drink enough water every day, so you can keep yourself hydrated inside and out. We would even recommend using a humidifier at night if you live in an especially dry climate.
Listen to Your Skin
As much as it’s important to take the seasons into consideration, don’t forget to listen to your skin when doing your skincare routine. For instance, you might want to drastically cut down on exfoliation altogether during the winter months if you discover that you’re more prone to breakouts when you include exfoliation in your routine. On the other hand, if you have dry skin to begin with, you might need to moisturize more frequently than those who have normal or oily skin.
What you can be sure of, however, is that using natural or organic beauty products is a much safer option — they won’t dry your skin the way synthetic ingredients do. Keep your natural beauty products within arm’s reach to make sure that your skin is ready to face the cold months ahead.