How to maintain a fresh, healthy complexion once the weather turns cold
They don’t call him Old Man Winter for nothing. Lower temperatures and drier, colder air can sap your skin of vital moisture—unless you adjust your skincare regimen accordingly, like so:
- Take Serum Seriously
The first step in your beauty routine (after cleansing and/or exfoliating and toning) is vital to any seasonal transition plan. Try hydrating with a pure hyaluronic acid serum for the winter to take advantage of its ability to draw in moisture. If you notice your complexion becoming overly sensitized, red or inflamed once temperatures drop, look for serums formulated with soothing niacinamide or oat extracts, or peptides to reduce redness.
- Make the Most of Bathtime
We know lingering in a steamy bath sounds very relaxing, but when the weather outside turns harsh, less is more for bathing. Keep baths and showers as brief as possible during the winter; the longer your skin is exposed to hot water, the more moisture can be leached away. Moisturize immediately after bathing, preferably while your skin is still dewy from the shower or bath. Seal in hydration with a silky cream that uses honey’s humectant properties to draw moisture from the air and lock into your skin, like our Almond Milk & Honey Body Butter.
- Surround Yourself in Moisture
Winter can be hard on your complexion—especially if you live or work in environments that use forced-air heat. To combat the moisture-sapping effects of running from heated indoors to frozen outdoors, run a humidifier in your bedroom every night, even if you aren’t ill. If you want to go an extra mile, invest in a unit that also has a HEPA filter or ionization built in. And don’t slack on getting your full eight glasses of water per day to hydrate from the inside, too.
- Sleep On It for Softer Skin
Winter’s the perfect time to upgrade your night cream. Look for formulas that feature multiple benefits to pack as much hydration into your sleeping hours as possible. With frosty winds chapping extremities first, don’t forget to pay extra attention to hands and feet. Try a pair of deep-conditioning gloves or socks with luxurious masks to combat dryness.
- Don’t Skimp on SPF
The sun shines even if we can’t see it down here beneath a layer of wintry clouds; applying sunscreen should be a year-round practice by now. Look for weightless, glide-on formulas that double as makeup primer to guarantee your face stays on all day even with the richer layers. We (and everybody else) love Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen.
- Get Buff
Cooler temperatures can also slow down skin’s rate of cell turnover, so exfoliating chemically and physically on a regular schedule during the winter will ensure all the richer, heavier creams you’re slathering on can penetrate your skin and do their work. Slough away dry, dead cells with our Dead Sea Salt scrubs and pack aromatherapy into your self-care routine.
- Exercise & Eat Right
We know, these are supposed to be the list for every day, no matter the season… but between making merry and making deadlines, the winter months can leave little time for fitness. Remembering to prioritize healthy habits (in between bouts of hedonistic abandon once the gingerbread comes out) can go a long way toward assuring you emerge from the winter season looking and feeling your best.
