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The secret to glowing skin is having a good daily skincare routine. This is especially true during the cold winter months. While a multi-step skincare routine is probably the last thing you feel like doing on a freezing morning, the harshness of the cold on your skin means it’s more important than ever to give it the love it deserves.
A basic skincare routine includes three main steps: cleansing, treating, and moisturising. Treating refers to toners, serums, eye creams, exfoliators and any other products that go beyond cleansing and moisturising. While your basic skincare regimen can stay the same all year round, here are a few easy tweaks that will give your skin an extra boost during the winter.
- Use a gentle cleanser
Your winter skin is probably more sensitive than it would be during summer, so it’s best to opt for something gentle. You’ll also want to look for cleansers that are moisturising to help combat dryness. Something like an aloe vera face wash is a great choice, as it soothes and moisturises the skin while cleansing. When applied topically, aloe vera offers a plethora of benefits, including lasting hydration for skin. Using its gel on the face or body leaves the skin feeling soft without stripping away essential oils or leaving a greasy residue. When choosing aloe vera cleansing products for the face or body, whether in the form of a body wash or a soap bar, ensure they are fragrance-free, paraben-free, and without added sulphates. Remember, consistency in your skincare routine is essential, so cleanse your face both in the morning and evening for the best results.
- Exfoliate
In winter, your skin is often exposed to dry air, either because of the climate or due to increased exposure to indoor heating. This dryness in the air dehydrates the skin and leads to more dead skin cells. Exfoliating is a great way to remove dead skin cells and keep skin soft and smooth. Opting for something like a berry face scrub carries the added benefit of antioxidants, which protect your skin from damage. Be careful not to over-exfoliate, though, as this will cause more harm than good. Once or twice a week should suffice.
- Try a face mask
The best way to ensure your skin absorbs as much moisturiser as possible is to prepare it properly. This is where face masks come in. A clay facemask, for instance, helps remove dirt and absorb excess oils, which means your skin is softer and more susceptible to absorbing moisturiser. As with exfoliation, you don’t want to use a clay mask too often. To avoid stripping the skin of good oils, it’s best to use this type of mask once a week.
- Moisturise
Moisturising is arguably the most important step in a winter skincare routine. Not only does it help combat dryness, but it also helps limit the production of excess oil. Often our skin produces more oil to moisturise itself, which is a sign that we are not moisturising enough. Go for a gentle moisturiser and be sure to use it in the morning and evening. You could use a hydrating, all-purpose day cream in the morning and a replenishing night cream in the evening, depending on your specific needs and budget.
In addition to quality moisturisers, a multifunctional face and neck serum is essential during the colder months, especially if you aim to minimise the appearance of visible signs of ageing. Serums can help keep the skin hydrated, nourished, and radiant, while also providing protection from environmental factors.
For those looking to soothe and moisturise the skin around your eyes, consider incorporating an eye cream into your evening routine. These creams are designed to hydrate and protect the delicate skin around the eyes, which has fewer sweat and oil glands.
- Don’t ditch sunscreen
While you may be tempted to skip sunscreen during winter, this could be detrimental to your skin’s health. Sunscreen helps protect against sunburn and premature ageing. You may not feel the sun the same way you do in summer, but it’s still there and still just as damaging. So be sure to incorporate a lightweight SPF into your morning routine. You could even choose something like an SPF30 moisturiser and combine moisturiser and sunscreen steps into one. Just remember to wash your sunscreen off in the evening to avoid breakouts.
Taking care of your skin is one of the best ways you can show yourself some love this winter. A bonus tip: make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and veggies. The right kinds of nutrients can help alleviate some harmful effects from the environment when it comes to your skin. So, stick to your skincare routine, drink your water, get those plant points in and get ready to show off your glowing skin.