Do you have to adapt your facial care in winter to the cold temperatures and chilly winds?
The temperature drops to around freezing point, we protect our bodies against the winter with thick coats, boots and hats, but we leave our faces unprotected against the harsh elements of the cold winter.
In winter it is crucial to give your face a little extra care, as it is the only part of our body that is almost always exposed to the elements. That is why it is so important to use special winter care.
Depending on your skin type, certain seasons and climate conditions may suit you better. For example, if you have dry skin, your skin prefers a moister climate instead of a dry climate. Yet almost all skin types have a harder time in winter, making a winter care plan necessary. Just think: the temperature and humidity drop, both of which have a negative impact on your skin.
In our country, in winter we usually have to deal with harsh weather conditions such as strong winds and temperatures around or below freezing, and your face has to endure this every day. Your face is influenced by a number of environmental factors every day. This not only concerns daily weather and climate, but also air pollution, toxic substances in the environment and man-made living conditions such as air conditioning and central heating. When the seasons change, your skin notices this because your face is in direct contact with those environmental factors.
In winter it is always nice to turn up the water temperature, but hot showers and baths are very drying. Lower the temperature to reduce the chance of damaging your skin.
Do not wash your face with water of the same temperature as the water in the shower - clean your face with lukewarm/cold water so that your skin does not become red or irritated. This rule applies all year round, not just in winter. Read more tips on choosing the best facial cleanser for your skin
The effects of winter on your skin
During winter, the moisture barrier, also known as the Stratum Corneum or skin barrier, is extremely vulnerable and has the potential to be damaged. This is due to the lack of moisture. When humidity is low, the skin is at risk of drying out because there is no moisture in the atmosphere for the skin to bind to. Dry and dehydrated skin is one of the main problems with winter skin, which makes sense because low humidity dehydrates the skin. Combined with the cold temperatures, which adversely affect the skin's surface, winter skin becomes a problem.
Skin problems in winter
Just as you have oilier skin in the summer, you can experience skin problems in the winter when it gets colder and drier. Of course, something like that is no coincidence. Are there things that sound familiar to you during the colder winter months?
- Dry skin
- Dehydration
- Cracks
- Inflammations
- Itchy skin
- Red skin
- Sensitive skin
- Tight skin
These skin problems mainly occur in winter. Although you can experience these problems all year round, they are especially a problem during the cold winter months.
When you go outside in winter, your skin is exposed to icy temperatures and there is virtually no sufficient moisture available to replenish moisture loss. To make matters worse, there is more air pollution in winter, which increases the risk of free radical damage and premature skin aging. If all this doesn't sound so pleasant during the winter months, don't worry. Because the right winter care helps keep your skin in good condition.
The winter skincare routine your skin demands
You've probably mastered your daily skincare routine to perfection, and thank goodness for your skin. To keep the good feeling going, there are a few improvements you can make to suit your face's needs during the winter.With just 6 simple steps you can create a moisturizing and protective facial care for the winter:
1. Swap your dehydrating cleanser for a moisturizing one Water-based cleansers are great for oily skin, but in winter your skin needs all the available moisture as there is no humidity. This is the best time to switch to a cleansing oil, which will help restore the natural oils in the skin while removing any impurities.
If you have oily skin and you're concerned it might be too much for you, use a cleanser that contains both water and oil to cleanse the skin without stripping it of moisture like the Medik8 Lipid Cleansing oil
View our best winter cleansers below
2. Exfoliate with a facial scrub
Your winter care routine is not complete without regular exfoliation. In winter, the skin barrier works slower and dead skin cells therefore accumulate more quickly. This makes your skin look dry and flaky, which is so characteristic of winter. A mild scrub is an excellent solution to treat winter skin daily or a few times a week. If you mainly suffer from flaky skin, use a scrub with fruit acids, based on AHAs and BHAs, such as Medik8 Pore Refining Scrub, for more beautiful skin in winter.
Check out our best scrubs for winter below
3. Apply an extra layer of hydration in the form of a serum
Applying a nourishing serum before finishing with a moisturizing cream is a winter care step that you should not skip. By using a serum before your cream, you add extra hydration and essential ingredients, and your skin will absorb everything it can get in the winter.
If you have naturally dry skin or are concerned that your skin is drying out, you can also replace your serum with a facial oil containing vitamins that repair your skin, such as the Murad Multi Vitamin Infusion Oil.
Moreover, serums are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, plant extracts and other nourishing and moisturizing ingredients that will give your facial care routine a boost during the winter.
The best serums for dry winter skin can be found below
Medik8 Calmwise Serum
€53.50Order now
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 and B5 Intense
Prijsklasse: €58,25 tot €72.55Choose option This product has several variations. This option can be selected on the product page
4. Use the essential eye cream and serum for your eyes
You probably know that the skin around your eyes is very thin. So in winter, this part of the face has to endure the harsh winter weather conditions. If you don't usually use eye cream, winter is the perfect time to do so. With an eye cream you not only minimize dark circles and bags under the eyes, but you also combat skin aging and protect against crow's feet. Look for eye creams with peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Dhe best serums for your eyes in winter
5. Hydrate with a moisturizing face cream
During the winter your face needs a little extra of everything: hydration, even more hydration, protection and nourishment. In general, the skin needs recovery. Winter takes hold of the skin, piling up dead skin cells and causing discomfort from dryness to redness, so the skin needs some support. This is where a good moisturizer comes in handy.
You may have heard that you should use an extra thick cream in the winter. That may be true for some people, but pay more attention to the ingredients than the thickness. If you want an extra thick cream that spreads well and is packed with soothing ingredients, then this is it Ultimate Recovery from Medik8 a good choice. If you want something different, look for a facial cream that contains ingredients that winter skin can use: Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides, Glycerin or Shea butter to name a few.
6. Protect your skin against UV rays and free radicals
Even when the sun is not shining, an effective sunscreen is an effective way to protect yourself against radiation and free radical damage. This is one of the most important steps to prevent premature aging.
Even when the sun is not shining, harmful UV rays still reach your face. UV rays can even penetrate thick cloud cover to damage your skin. Applying SPF every day is therefore a must, even in winter. In addition to protection, if you also want a nice tan in the winter, then the Brush on Block with SPF 30 should not be missing in your bathroom cabinet.
Essential skin care for the winter months
The basics of winter skin care
Not everyone likes winter and that certainly applies to your skin. However, that doesn't mean winter has to have a devastating effect on you or your skin. Make the most of the cold weather with a moisturizing and skin-protecting winter routine. The skin problems that occur in winter when it gets colder are a message from your skin that there is a problem. We are happy to give you advice on how your skin can get through the winter without damage! If you have any questions, let us know!