I don’t know about you but this cold weather is not doing my skin any good. It’s feeling depleted and literally sucked dry. I’ve really had to work on my winter skincare routine to help keep my skin comfortable.
Current environmental factors are not helping my skin, but hormones are also playing their part. I’m quite far into perimenopause and my skin is changing a lot – this cold snap has highlighted it even more.
It’s not springing back as easy as it used to and I’m prone to more irritation these days, as well as dehydration and itching. I started losing volume a few years back after a particularly stressful time, this has changed the shape of my face as well as leaving skin thinner.
I also think my routine had become a bit slap dash – as it does – a quick cleanse and moisturise isn’t cutting it right now!
Nourish is my word for the new year, and that is exactly what my skin needs right now – hydration and nourishment.
So that’s what I’ve really been concentrating on for the past few weeks and my skin is feeling better. It doesn’t feel so tight or itchy, maybe even a gentle glow some of the time 😉
My current winter skincare routine
In the evening I’m double cleansing with an oil cleanser followed by a cream cleanser over it – at the moment I’m using a brand called ProLogic as I’m possibly going to be introducing it to my facials. I really like this combination of oil and cream, it doesn’t strip skin at all. When skin is feeling drier and more sensitive, opt for these nourishing formulations as opposed to foaming washes for example which can potentially be stripping.
Next I’m hydrating with a mist – I’m going between Evolve’s Daily Defence Moisture Mist and Face Theory’s Replenamist Hydrating Toner. I’ve really changed the way I use a mist. Instead of just a quick spritz, I generously spray the face and neck and massage in, followed by another round. I’ve been inspired by Lanshin who mists so much! Adding hydration like this can make skin cells plumper and will also aid in the penetration of other products.
I then use a hydrating serum – my skin does well with a hyaluronic acid based one, although be mindful if your skin is feeling irritated.
HA is a humectant which helps to retain moisture in the skin, this then needs to be ‘locked in’ with ‘thicker’ products – otherwise it can all evaporate from the skin leaving it feeling dehydrated again.
The next product I’ve been using is Face Theory’s Ectoin Barrier Milk – this is a very lightweight lotion that calms the skin; perfect for seasonal stresses. Some skins could use as a moisturiser on its own, but mine needs something more so I add a few drops of oil over the top.
I’ve gone back to basics with jojoba oil. This is a great oil for all skin types and a great one to start with if you haven’t used one before. Another favourite for winter is Evolve’s Blue Velvet Ceramide Serum, which is in an oil base.
Applying an oil can help to rebuild and strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier. This in turn will keep hydration locked in; a well hydrated skin can function more optimally.
Strengthening the barrier will help to give skin more resilience to environmental stressors such as the cold and central heating. Perfect for winter skincare. As we age our skin starts to produce less oil which can make it more susceptible to a weaker barrier and therefore more affected by colder weather.
Like many people, different parts of my face need different attention. My forehead for example is much drier – it feels rough and has visible pores.
Foreheads can be prone to dehydration as there is much less ‘padding’ under the skin here. Mine is getting drier for sure; it’s a big old area – hence the life long fringe 😉 It is also possibly getting bigger (hair loss that’s another topic..) The friction from wearing a wooly hat doesn’t help.
Side note – Pores are an important part of our skin that we need very much, however if skin is dehydrated or the structure becomes weaker (ie less collagen and elastin or weakened barrier) they can become more visible. Pores cannot be ‘closed’ or shrunk but their appearance can be helped (in this instance) by hydrating and strengthening skin.
On these areas that feel like they need more nourishment, I would then apply a richer cream or balm – these are your occlusives in the diagram above.
Weleda’s Skin food is a great example of this; I go between the original and the lighter formulation. I love it on hands and heels (I’ve been on a challenge to nurse mine back to life ;)) but also on my face. I find it can act almost like a barrier and I will reapply during the day if I’ve been out and about in the cold, or indeed inside in the heating. I sometimes mix some into my foundation if I’m wearing it – this is a great way to add glow and stop make up settling into dry patches. Brilliant addition to a winter skincare routine.
I love this layering of products – I find it can be much more effective than one thick cream that can just sit on top of the skin. Be mindful though; there is only so much the skin can take, layering too much can result in product build up which can cause breakouts or congestion. It can also feel sticky and uncomfortable. Leaving time between the richer layers can be beneficial. Also make sure you are (gently) cleansing properly to remove any build up.
Top Tip – do your skincare early so its not straight before bed – protect your pillow and your hair!
In the morning, I might do a gentle cleanse or just refresh with water. It depends on how my skin is feeling. I mist again, serum and moisturise. I’ll often add a few drops of oil into my moisturiser to boost it – this is an easy way to add an oil in without skin feeling too sticky before makeup etc.
My current moisturiser is by ProLogic and I’ll also use Weleda’s Skin Food Light.
Adding in a weekly mask can be really beneficial for skin too. Don’t think you need to be laying down with cucumbers on your eyes to use one – you can do them anytime – sitting on the laptop, cleaning the bathroom – anytime you remember.
Winter skincare inside out
We can support skin topically but we need to support it from the inside out as well. Eating enough good quality protein and fats will help to strengthen the structure of the skin cells, therefore building a more robust skin in general.
I’ve started taking my collagen again (which was just sitting in the cupboard!) I do think it makes a difference but can take a while to get to the skin, as skin as usual is bottom of the list..
Winter skincare sorted..
hopefully! Skin changes all the time so don’t think you have to do the same skincare every day. Tweak your routine to suit the changes. In general winter skincare routines should be soothing, nourishing and hydrating – all the good stuff 😉
I hope this helps. What is in your winter skincare routine – I’d love to know in the comments below.
If your skin is in need of some extra TLC or you’d like to learn more about how to look after it, why not come and see me at my little studio in Bromley where I offer organic and holistic facials.
