Of course, this means that a lot of changes begin to happen to our skin and our autumn skincare. As the climate begins to cool and move towards winter, you may notice that the air becomes a lot drier.
The typical knee jerk reaction to this is to slather on the moisturiser, but is this really the best course of action? Well, let’s first start off exploring what changes happen to our skin as the weather cools!
How does our skin change with the cold weather?
As winter approaches and temperatures drop, our skin undergoes several changes and challenges due to the cold and dry conditions. Some of the changes you may notice with your skin include:
- Dryness: Cold air lacks humidity, which can lead to decreased moisture in the skin. This often results in dry and flaky skin and sometimes bleeding, especially on areas like the face, hands, and legs, and also chapped lips
- Dehydration: Contrary to popular belief, dehydration is not the same as dry skin. While dry skin affects the top most layer of skin, dehydration refers to the layers underneath. It’s entirely possible to have an oily skin type that is dehydrated. Indoor heating systems used in winter can reduce the humidity indoors, further contributing to skin dehydration. This can make the skin feel tight and parched.
- Itching and Irritation: Dry skin can become itchy and irritated, leading to discomfort. Scratching can damage the skin’s protective barrier, which is already compromised during the cold seasons, and worsen the issue.
- Redness and Sensitivity: Exposure to cold winds and low temperatures can cause redness and increased sensitivity in the skin, making it more prone to conditions like rosacea or eczema flare-ups. A common region many people experience eczema is on their eyelids so make sure to not forget to spend extra time moisturing around the eyes!
- Sun Protection: Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen is still of utmost importance in Winter. As long as there’s sun, there’s UV radiation! Snow can also reflect sunlight, increasing exposure. Proper sun protection, such as using sunscreen, is necessary, especially for outdoor winter activities.
So knowing that, the next important thing to ask yourself is:
How can I update my skincare routine to protect my skin in the winter?
Let’s explore a few ways!
1) Gentle Cleansing: Avoid using harsh cleansers that may have chemicals that further strip your skin and opt for gentle, hydrating cleansers to cleanse your skin without stripping its natural oils. I’ve recently started using the ISNTREE Yam Root Vegan Milk Cleanser and it cleanses like such a dream without leaving your skin feeling stripped. The whole Isntree Yam range is ideal for dry skin types in the winter!
2) Moisturise: Goes without saying but use a rich, hydrating moisturiser to lock in moisture and prevent dryness. It’s best used after cleansing to trap in any moisture to help elevate your skin hydration. Try looking for a moisturiser that contains lipids and ceramides, which can help reinforce your skin barrier and prevent it drying out. The ILLIYOON Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream is a fan favourite for this exact reason!
3) Humidify: Use a humidifier to add moisture to the indoor air, which can help combat the drying effects of indoor heating.
4) Protect Lips: Apply a good-quality lip balm or petroleum jelly to keep your lips moisturized and prevent chapping. It’s a good idea to avoid ingredients such as camphor or menthol which may actually dry out the lip further overtime. The LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask EX is a cult favourite for giving your lips a much needed overnight therapy.
5) Hydrate: Such an underrated way of combating dehydrated skin. Drink plenty of water to keep your body and skin well-hydrated from the inside out.
6) Avoid Hot Baths and Showers: Hot water can strip your skin of natural oils, so opt for lukewarm water when bathing.
7) Use Humectants: Consider using products containing humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides to attract and retain moisture in the skin. The ROVECTIN Skin Essentials Activating Treatment Lotion is one of my favourite products to use in the winter due to its soothing and hydrating properties. Humectants do come with a big disclaimer though: In extremely dry climates, they may actually pull water out of your skin, instead of holding it in, so you may find it may not work in areas of low humidity. If you do decide to trial it out, always apply over slightly wet skin, follow up with an occlusive and remember, what works for one person may not always work for another!
8) Exfoliating Products: While you should be cautious not to over-exfoliate, using a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week can help remove dead skin cells and allow your autumn skincare products to penetrate better. If you find AHAs/BHAs too harsh, PHAs are another great option for gentle exfoliation.
9) Eye Cream: As mentioned before, many find that the area around your eyes becomes especially dry during the Winter. If you have concerns about under-eye dryness or fine lines, an eye cream with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or peptides may help.
In general…
Do what works well for you! Skincare in autumn is always tricky for me and does require a bit of trial and error. I personally love using hybrid toners such as the DR. CEURACLE Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence because they really help bridge the gap between my toner/serum step and my moisturiser. I have friends who swear by sheetmasking during the colder months.
In Conclusion
All in all, Autumn is a time where we begin to notice changes in our skin, and it’s important to be prepared and adjust our skincare before we find out skin barrier unduly compromised. It’s a lot easier preventing dryness than treating it. Hopefully this article gives you some tips on how to best prepare for the upcoming seasons!