I love a winter wonderland as much as the next guy, but it can really wreak havoc on your skin. Colder temperatures, low humidity, drying indoor heat, and increased wind all play a big part in excessive dryness. Add traveling, rich foods, and stress to the mix and you can really start to see changes.
It is possible to keep it healthy, hydrated, and glowing through the colder months and it doesn’t have to include a 10 step skincare routine. Read on for a few simple tips to keep your glow on all winter long.
Start with a Gentle Cleanser
Using a gentle but effective cleanser is important all year but especially in the winter. If you haven’t tried oil cleansing yet, this may be the time. Nourishing Cleansing Oil and Vetiver Illuminating Oil Cleanser have a very loyal fan base, for good reason. Harsh cleansers can strip the skin of beneficial oils leaving it inflamed and susceptible to further issues, like irritation and even breakouts. Every cleanser offered at Rogue Esthetics checks the “gentle & effective” box, let me know if you need help figuring out which one is right for you!
Hydrate from the Inside Out
By now we all know the endless benefits of drinking water and how important it is for our bodies to function correctly. It’s also very important for your skin! If you struggle with drinking enough water, try flavoring it. Lemon and cucumber are common but really the possibilities are endless; strawberry and basil, raspberry and lime, pineapple and mint - whatever fruits and herbs will help you drink more water! If you need something warm, herbal teas also help keep you hydrated.
Exfoliate Every 7-10 Days
Gently! (seeing a theme here?) If your skin is dull or flakey using a gentle exfoliating mask or scrub, once a week or less, can make all the difference. This will remove that top layer of dead skin cells that makes skin feel and look dry. Exfoliating also preps the skin to receive those hydrating ingredients and nourishing oils that help keep your skin healthy. This applies to both face and body. Here are some client favorites:
Retinol Exfoliating Scrub - great for aging skin, acne scars, blackheads
Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud - brightening honey based mask for all skin types
Anti-Wrinkle Polish Plump & Peel - 2 step microdermabrasion in a bottle, for dry, dull, pigmented skin
Illuminating Exfoliating Serum - plant based option, great for sensitive skin, easy nighttime serum
Use a humidifier
Unless you live in a tropical climate, there is low humidity in the air during winter. Cold temperatures outside equal less moisture in the air. Heaters inside equal less moisture in the air. So whether you spend most of your time inside or outside it’s difficult for your skin to retain water because there isn’t much in the air. A humidifier is a quick and easy solution. Try sleeping with one in your room and see if you don't wake up glowing!
Add Hydrating Skincare
Since there is less moisture in the air you need to add it to your skincare routine. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a natural compound in our bodies, it’s function is to bind to water to help maintain hydration. Essentially it is a powerful lubricant, holding up to 1000 times it’s weight in water.
Bonus points: it also helps with skin firmness and is great for ALL skin types. Recently hyaluronic acid serums have exploded on the skincare market and while I can’t speak for all of them, I can say for a certainty that they are not all equal. HA can only penetrate the skin if it is formulated with the correct molecular weight, so just because it’s listed as an ingredient on a product that doesn't mean you’re getting the benefits.
A few options:
My personal favorite is combined with firming peptides and plant extracts; leaves me glowing on the daily: Power Serum
Perfect for sensitive or breakout prone skin: Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
Quick and easy Hydrating Mist +niacinamide, rose water, frankincense hydrosol, and vegan hyaluronic acid: Rose Hydration Mist
Hydrosol for acne prone skin, hydrates, brightens, and calms inflammation: Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist
Last but not least, Solar Defense is your ticket to protecting and nourishing your skin during the day with HA, aloe, and mineral sunscreen (this is my top selling product overall)
Switch up your Moisturizer
After adding the hydration step mentioned above, you need to lock it in with the appropriate moisturizer. This is essential to keeping your skin soft and supple. Rogue Esthetics offers a large variety of facial oils, balms, and traditional moisturizers full of nourishing ingredients, I’ve listed a few of my crowd pleasers below. Regardless of your skin type you need moisturizer and the need will probably change in the winter. Fortunately I can usually provide a sample before you purchase so you can be sure you’re getting the right product.
Here are my top movers and shakers:
Hydrating Moisturizer - intense hydration for most skin types, simple and straightforward ingredients, ideal for dry/combination skin
Power Lift Moisturizer - a step up with firming peptides, ceramides, and HA, great for all skin types
Moisture Reset -a blend of 13+nutrient rich oils and plant extracts that absorbs quickly; beneficial for most skin types
Rose Nourishing Facial Oil - fast absorbing, high in antioxidants and fatty acids, great for dry, sensitive, and mature skin
Vitamin C Regenerative Balm - I’m just going to say it, the Balm dot com. Hydrating, brightening, repairing, antioxidant rich, botanical goodness
Renewing Concentrate - highly concentrated botanicals and whole plants make this rich balm a powerhouse of antioxidants
Avoid Excessively Hot Showers
I recommend always avoiding super hot water on your face as it can be damaging and strip your protective barrier. When it comes to your body however, it’s a little tricky, to be honest I love a boiling hot shower or bath even though I know its drying to my skin. Since taking lukewarm showers in winter is not very realistic, my suggestion is using pH balanced cleansers with hydrating ingredients,such as oils. Using a quality body butter or body oil immediately after the shower while your skin is still damp helps lock in that hydration. If you want to see how I can fully geek out on skincare ingredients, check out my instagram post on Cupuacu Butter- it is amazing stuff.
Lastly, a good facial during or at the end of winter can really make a difference and get you glowing. The DermaGlow is an excellent way to remove dead skin that’s built up during winter. Have you tried any of these products? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Kindy Wright
Rogue Esthetics