Winter is a challenging time for our skin. Conditions outside are cold and windy, leaving our skin feeling raw, itchy, and irritated. Conditions inside are not helpful either with central heating drying our our skin leaving it tight and dull.
Thankfully there are changes we can make to our skincare routine that fights the challenging conditions that winter brings. These are our top five tips to keep your skin looking and feeling great through the cold months of the year.
TIP 1 - Use a gentle hydrating cleanser to prepare your skin.
A mild cleanser will be kind to damaged skin and will help add extra moisture at the first step of your routine.
Refresh recommends:
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil - Jojoba, avocado, olive, macadamia, and almond combine to cleanse and nourish simultaneously. Centella Asiatica and Tea Tree Leaf extract soothe and calm irritated skin.
iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil - Calendula extract helps to soothe the skin and minimise blackheads and blocked pores, while promoting a healthy water-oil balance.
Remember to use lukewarm water when washing your face as hot water dries out the skin by stripping of its natural oils.
TIP 2 - Layer up at bedtime to keep your skin moist and hydrated.
Add some lighter and thinner toners, serums and ampoules to increase the number of steps in your routine. This gives your skin extra hydration and more opportunities to heal. Remember the golden rule - start with the thinnest product and increase the thickness as you move through your steps.
Refresh recommends:
The It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid range will help with intense, long-lasting hydration. Pyunkang Yul products focus on a few core ingredients and simple formulas, making this a great choice for damaged and sensitive skin.
Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Refiner - This great combo prepares your skin like a toner while delivering an intense moisturising hit. It includes White Tea Leaf, renowned for its calming and restorative properties.
TIP 3 - Lock in all those essential ingredients using a protective moisturiser.
There are some incredible moisturisers that create a barrier to seal in the goodness from the previous steps of your routine. These creams should be used before your final moisturising stage.
Refresh recommends:
COSRX Balancium Comfort Ceramide Cream - Combines the healing properties of Centella Asiatica with Ceramide for strengthening the skin barrier.
COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream - Contains an impressive 92% snail filtration extract for nourishing and hydrating the skin, leaving it looking fuller and healthier.
Etude House Soon Jung 2X Barrier Intensive Cream - Soothes skin and provides anti-oxidant protection. Panthenol hydrates while Green Tea is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.
TIP 4 - Seal in the moisture using a rich facial oil or sleeping mask.
A thicker oil layer or sleeping mask will give you longer lasting moisture, locking it in day and night ad fighting that winter dryness.
Refresh recommends:
One of our best sellers, the Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask, is a skin barrier strengthening mask that improves the skin's natural strength while you sleep.
Pyunkang Yul Oil - The formula contains a blend of eight oils including Jojoba, Geranium, Rosemary and Sunflower to restore and nourish the skin.
TIP 5 - Do not forget the lips, they can get extremely dry in the winter, as this skin is thinner and constantly exposed.
Our lips can really suffer in the winter, with the change in temperature and humidity drying them out and causing them to crack. A lip balm or mask is a great way to keep lips looking luscious all season long.
Refresh recommends:
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – Apply before bed and gently melt away flaky skin cells overnight, leaving your lips feeling smooth, supple, and hydrated by morning
And remember, you still need to apply SPF, even on grey winter days. The sun’s harmful UV rays can permeate clouds and still cause damage.
Winter can be tough on our skin, but with a few of these small changes to your routine you'll be looking great until spring.
Do you have any essential winter skincare tips? Let us know your experiences by sharing in the comments below.
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About the Author
Priscilla
Skincare fanatic and co-founder of Refresh Skincare. Follow the author on social media:
