During the cold winter, many people experience problems with really flaky and dry skin. These skin problems can be persistent and cause issues. To avoid this, it's important to understand why the skin reacts the way it does.
Why skin becomes dry during winter
When skin is exposed to cold, it reduces the production of natural skin oils that protect the skin.
When we move between a cold climate outside and a heated environment inside, the skin can react by becoming dry and flaky. It's the lower humidity both outdoors and indoors that causes the skin to become dehydrated.
Most facial creams contain water which can freeze in the skin when you're outside, potentially damaging and further drying it out. It can even cause pain in the skin when it's particularly windy.
Wind has a certain chill factor. If it blows at 5 m/s at 0°C, it feels like -5°C. So even if the temperature is above freezing, it's best not to use water-based products on your skin.
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 an outer layer of protection against cold and wind. Take a look at our protective weather creams that are water-free. All of them can be worn excellently under makeup. Just let your oil or weather cream absorb into the skin for a minute first.
Replace liquid foundation with a water-free foundation, such as a cream powder or mineral powder.
Remember balm for your lips.
Rehydrate your skin thoroughly in the evening with a serum and preferably a face cream.
How to restore your skin if it has become dry from the cold weather
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. Apply a 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. Feel free to 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 a 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 improve even by spring.
You can also apply a hydrating face mask, preferably right after exfoliating. Then the skin is properly cleansed, free from dead skin cells, and can absorb the moisture and care the face mask provides.
The same applies to the body. Exfoliate regularly and then massage in a body lotion or oil on slightly damp skin after every time you wash yourself.
We wish you a moisturized, wintry winter.
