Today’s Blogmas post isn’t directly related to the holidays, however, it is something we all worry about during this time of year so it’s still fitting. Plus, it’s something we are asked about all the time. Of course, a proper skincare routine is important all year long but it’s even more important during the winter months. Harsh weather can really cause issues for your skin. That’s why it’s important to have a good routine lined up as we enter these cold months.
First things first, hydrate hydrate hydrate! We can’t stress this enough. It is so important to give your skin that big glass of water it deserves. We will talk about actually drinking water later on. During the winter months, the air is cold and dry. That means your skin is left feeling rough. This is where a good routine comes into play. We first want to touch on moisturizers and then we will go from there.
When it comes to moisturizers, you have a few options. We always suggest starting with products full of ceramides. Simply put, ceramides are fats that naturally occur in your skin. Though as we age, the amount and quality of these fats decrease. By adding in moisturizers with ceramides, you are helping to protect and hydrate your skin. Simply put, ceramides strengthen your skin barrier. Dr. Jart + makes an amazing product called Ceramidin Cream. We use this all the time during these cold months.
Another great moisturizer is the Ultra Repair Cream by First Aid Beauty. We have recommended this to so many friends and they are all hooked. It helps with dry, distressed skin and even eczema, too! We love slathering this on at the end of the night and waking up the next morning with hydrated, supple skin.
MORE MOISTURIZERS WE LOVE
Lately, we’ve been loving two hyaluronic acid products by Naturium Skin. We’ve talked about the importance of this ingredient a million times with you. HA (hyaluronic acid) replenishes essential moisture in your skin and leaves you with a visible plump. HA retains moisture by holding 1000 times its weight in water. Pretty amazing, right? We are big fans of the HA serum and essence by Naturium. Not only is the price point great, but the products are also very effective.
Another step you should be thinking about is oil. Adding a hydrating oil to your routine can help immensely during the winter months. We have a blog post all about the importance of facial oil if you want to learn more. Though long story short, use an oil and your skin will thank you.
A FEW OILS WE LOVE
Now onto some more tips. Don’t stop using your SPF. Even though the temperature drops, the sun still causes damage. Even more when reflecting off the snow. You want to keep up with your SPF routine to prevent dryness and premature aging.
A FEW SUNSCREENS WE LOVE
Start using a humidifier. This is another tip that is extremely helpful — it’s a total game-changer. As we move our way through the winter months, the air is cold and dry. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and keep your skin feeling hydrated and plump. It also helps you breathe so much better while inside.
Don’t forget to exfoliate. This is easily one of the most important parts of your winter routine. During the winter months, dry skin causes irritation, breakouts, and redness. You need to be getting rid of those dead skin cells and making room for new ones. That’s exactly what exfoliating does. We prefer chemical exfoliants over mechanical, though either can be used. The best, most affordable option is the Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. It works like magic! We use this twice a week to ensure we are making room for fresh, new skin cells. If you’ve never tried this before, start off with using it once a week to prevent irritation or redness. It is important to also remember if you have sensitive skin you want to be using an exfoliator less often to prevent irritation. Whenever we finish using a strong product like this, we always like to follow it up with a hydrating mask. During the winter months, we especially love using overnight masks — something super rich and hydrating.
A FEW FAVORITE EXFOLIATORS
A FEW FAVORITE HYDRATING MASKS
It also seems like a no-brainer but it is so important to stay hydrated from within. We always notice a major difference in our skin when we start slacking on drinking water. We make it a rule to start every day with a huge glass of water before a sip of coffee. We continue drinking lots of water throughout the day to ensure we are staying healthy and hydrated. We have a few other posts that can be helpful when it comes to your skincare routine. This post goes over the proper order of applying products and this post goes over the importance of double cleansing. Both of which are key during the winter months. If you stay consistent with a good routine, you can help avoid a lot of the main concerns we all have during the winter months. Stay hydrated! xo