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As colder temperatures approach, freezing air, harsh winds and exposure to indoor air conditioner or heater deplete the moisture from your skin and strip it of water and oils essential for healthy skin barrier function. These conditions can trigger skin sensitivity, itchiness and irritation.
But don’t go planning an entire overhaul just yet! While your wardrobe may need some switching up, it may not be the same case for your skin.
There is no reason you should change your skincare routine and products through different seasons just because some famous dermatologists told you so.
Consistently good products should be able to transition seamlessly into different seasons. Remember, the key isn’t about swapping the products, but the amount you use.
To reduce drying skin, redness and irritation in winter reasons, there's some useful dos and don'ts for you to check, so that you can keep your skin healthy and glowing until spring arrives:
3 Dos in your winter skincare routine
1. Do use the right facial oils and increase amount accordingly
As the temperature drops, it’s a perfect time to protect your skin with nourishing facial oils, not only because oil production is decreased during winter time but also because it's the key for retaining the moisture of the skin.
Lightweight facial oils such as jojoba oil, moringa oil, almond oil, rosehip oil and squalene, not only feed your skin with deep down moisture but also infuse it with nutrients and antioxidants that fight free radicals, reduce inflammation, repair dry skin and improve your skin’s lipid barrier which in turn will prevent moisture loss through the outer surface.
★ For dry skin / normal skin type - consider increasing the amount of your facial oil to 1-2 drops in winter
★ For combination skin type - consider increasing the amount of your facial oil to 1-1.5 drops.
★ For oily skin type - consider mixing your serum and facial oil in 1:1 ratio if you feel that your skin is getting drier in the winter.
2. Do remove make-up and wash face with gentle cleanser
When removing make-up in winter time, it’s recommended to use oil-based cleanser that has gentle formula and then rinse with lukewarm water to prevent from stripping your skin’s oil off.
When it comes to washing your face, make sure there's no harsh foaming agents and detergents like SLS/ SLES (sodium lauryl sulfate) contained which can also strip your skin of its natural oils and cause irritation.
An easy way to check is that your skin should be feeling soft and smooth after washing rather than tight and chapped.
Formulated with a rich blend of plant-derived oils which gently dissolve impurities and makeup, The natural-born cleansing oil will leave the skin feeling clean and hydrated, not tight and stripped.
p.s. cleanser may not be necessary in the morning, a simple water splash is usually enough in winter time.
3. Do include hot compress for better absorption
If you’re looking to give your skin a healthy, rosy glow in winter, try warming it!
A hot compress is ideal because it does double duty: while promoting blood circulation, the heat also allows skin to absorb the oil-based nutrients in the facial oil more quickly.
- 1. Place a hot towel on your clean face for about 20 seconds. (Don’t wait until the towel is cold to remove it from your skin!)
- 2. After warming your hands, apply 2-3 drops of face oil using the warmth of your palm, and slowly press the oil into various parts of your face (forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, neck).
- 3. Leveraging the spreadability of the oil, use your hands to evenly apply the face oil to the entire face from inside to outside and from bottom to top.
- 4. Massage your forehead and work your way down, gently pressing on your eyes and cheeks to promote blood circulation. This also encourages the nourishing and protective functions of the oil.
- 5. After pressing, apply a hot towel to the face again to allow the oil remaining on the surface to penetrate into your skin.
- 6. Extra oil can be brought to the neck and shoulders. Press deeply for 5-10 seconds to help relax your muscles.
Hot compress tip: for more intense effect, allow the towel to cover both your head and the washbasin. The washbasin’s rising water vapor will come into contact with your face, achieving a steaming effect.
Know More about your go-to combo for luxurious at-home facial treatment: Luminosity Serum & Resilience Face Oil
3 Don’ts in your winter skincare routine
While hot water or steamy showers can feel great in the winter, it will lead to stripping your skin of essential oils and leaving it dehydrated.
As a result, it may inflame the skin, causing redness, itching and even peeling. When possible, warm or lukewarm temperatures are ideal when you wash your face.
There's no denying that exfoliating will make your skin smoother in the blink of an eye, but in the winter seasons, you definitely want to do it less or completely skip it. As exfoliating may easily lead to redness when the skin is already dry.
Also, be careful of combining physical exfoliation with chemical exfoliation as this would only make your skin become even more prone to redness and become vulnerable to sensitivity.
In fact, as long as you give the skin enough water and oil, the skin will regenerate itself over the course of four weeks (about 28 days) without any exfoliation needed.
It’s likely that your skin will become dehydrated easily in winter months, as water evaporates off the skin quickly, leaving the skin dry. The key is thus to moisturize your skin before it get in touch with frigid cold air.
Make sure to apply your skincare products right after you hop out of the shower, so that the moisture from the shower gets trapped on your skin and it will help to keep skin moist.
These practical tips may help you get through the harsh effects of winter and give you a glowing and healthy skin. Pick your cues and get the skin you always dream of.