During the cold winter, many people experience problems with really flaky and dry skin. The skin problems can be persistent and cause issues. To avoid this, it's important to understand why the skin reacts as it does.
Why skin becomes dry during winter
When skin is exposed to cold, the skin's production of natural skin oils that protect the skin decreases.
When we move between a cold climate outside and a heated climate inside, the skin can react by becoming dry and flaky. It's the lower humidity levels both outside and inside that cause the skin to become dehydrated.
Most face creams contain water and this can freeze in the skin when you're outside, which can damage and dry it out further. It can even hurt the skin when there's a strong wind.
Wind has a certain wind chill factor. If it's blowing 5 m/s at 0°C, it corresponds to -5°C. So even if it's not below freezing, it's good not to use water on the skin.
A woman with furry earmuffs blows snowflakes from her hands.
How to prevent and protect your skin against the cold
Use water-free products during the day such as a facial oil or a water-free cream as external protection against cold and wind. Take a look at our protective weather creams that are water-free. All of them work excellently to wear under makeup. Just let your oil or weather cream absorb into the skin for a few minutes first.
Replace liquid foundation with a water-free foundation, such as a cream powder or mineral powder.
Remember lip balm for your lips.
Rehydrate the skin properly in the evening with a serum and preferably face cream.
How to restore your skin if it has become dry from the cold weather
Then you can add as much moisture as possible in the evening.
Use serum – serum is a deep-acting moisture booster with active ingredients that are quickly absorbed by the skin. It has smaller molecules than a cream and can therefore penetrate deeper into the skin. You apply serum before your face cream or facial oil.
Use a stronger face cream in winter than in summer to lock in moisture and build up the skin's protective barrier. Apply a slightly thicker layer of cream in the evening and let it absorb overnight, or choose a cream from protective weather creams.
If your skin can tolerate exfoliation, do it regularly, 1-2 times per week. When you exfoliate the skin, you remove dry and dead skin cells so they don't block the moisture you're adding. This is especially important if you have dry and/or flaky skin that doesn't even improve by spring.
You can also apply a moisturizing face mask, preferably right after you've exfoliated. Then the skin is thoroughly cleansed, free from dead skin cells, and can receive the moisture and care that the face mask provides.
For your body, the same applies. Exfoliate regularly and then massage in a body lotion or oil on slightly damp skin after every time you wash.
We wish you a moisturized, wonderful winter.
