The coming of winter requires you to make adjustments to more than just your attire. It’s possible that the lightweight gel moisturizers and charcoal cleansers that were effective in September won’t be sufficient for your skin care needs in December. Dry air, freezing winds, and prolonged exposure to heat inside the house all work together to zap the moisture out of your skin and deplete it of the oils that are necessary for a healthy skin barrier to operate. Colder temperatures are on the way. Sensitivity, redness, and irritation of the skin are also possible outcomes of these diseases. In a nutshell, it’s time to switch things up in the routine. In case you want to beat the cold days and do it the cruelty free way, here’s a list of 55 cruelty-free skincare brands.
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These six beauty hacks will get you through the winter.
Make the Switch Cleanser Switch
Cleansers that froth and bubble are entertaining to use, but they aren’t doing your skin any favors in the long run. According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, foaming or salicylic acid-based cleansers are excellent in removing debris and oil from the skin; however, these cleansers contain sulfates, which may be more drying than other types of cleansers. It is possible for cleansing creams, balms, and oils to properly cleanse the skin while still maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier and without causing it to become dehydrated.
If you have acne, you should utilize acne-targeted skincare products that include salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide as their primary active ingredients. These abrasive substances, when applied in excess, have the potential to make dry skin even worse. Use these items in conjunction with pH-optimized skincare that helps normalize skin barriers that have been thrown off balance if you are a frequent user of the products.
Exfoliator is a Must
When performed correctly, exfoliation is known to have a number of beneficial effects. According to Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that have accumulated on the skin as a result of the dry air during the winter. This will leave your skin looking more radiant and will assist in the better absorption of your post-cleansing moisturizer.
Having said that, be sure you don’t go too far! “We live in a culture of over-exfoliators,” explains Dr. Zeichner. “Exfoliating may help brighten the face by eliminating dead cells, but exfoliating too vigorously can damage the outermost layer of the skin, which can lead to dryness and discomfort. Exfoliate your skin once per week, increasing the frequency to twice per week only if your skin can handle it.”
Less Shower Time
Resist the impulse to take a lengthy, hot bath just because the weather outside makes it seem like the perfect time to do so. According to Dr. King, exposing your skin to hot water for an extended period of time might cause it to lose the natural moisture it has, leaving you with even drier skin. She recommends taking a shower no more than once a day that is lukewarm and a few minutes long. “In addition, while your skin is still wet after the shower, apply a thick layer of moisturizer to seal in as much moisture as possible. It is possible that you may need to apply more than you would during the warmer months in order for your skin to feel as if it has been adequately hydrated after using the product.”
Dry brushing is a practice that includes massaging your skin with a brush in a soft, circular motion. If you notice that your skin is more flaky than normal, try dry brushing. The mechanical movement does wonders for improving lymphatic drainage as well as exfoliating the dry skin that comes with winter. In addition to that, it provides a fantastic self-massage. Feel like you need something extra to keep your skin hydrated in the winter? Try this slugging skin care routine.
Swap lotion-based moisturizer to cream-based
If you remember just one thing from this article, make sure that staying hydrated is the most important aspect of winter skincare routines. During the hottest part of the summer, your skin may respond well to a lighter lotion, but you shouldn’t rely on it when the temperature drops. Emollients and occlusive will be more vital during low-humidity circumstances, according to Dr. King. “While humectants may have been adequate to keep the skin moist during humid months, emollients will be more important during low-humidity conditions.” If this isn’t enough for your skin needs, try this guide that contains the best skincare routine for aging and dry skin.
First You Need to Understand the Following:
Humectants are low-molecular-weight compounds that draw water from the surrounding air and into the skin. Some examples of humectants are hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Emollients are often found in the form of creams and lotions and work to improve the function of the skin’s barrier.
According to Dr. King, a perfect winter moisturizer combines all three components. But there’s no need to panic; even heavy moisturizers may be non-comedogenic, which means they won’t cause breakouts on your skin. For those looking for a skincare routine specifically for the morning time, should try our seven step morning routine for a smooth and glowing skin.
Apply Multiple Coats of Skincare
It’s probably not the most helpful to continue comparing skincare products to clothes, but it is the most appropriate analogy here. Think of the use of skincare products as the clothing for your skin: In the same way that you layer your clothes to be warm throughout the fall and winter months, your skin has to be able to do the same thing. According to Dr. Zeichner, “Layering enables you to treat several skin issues with different products at the same time.” [Citation needed] To quickly explain how to layer skincare products, a good rule of thumb is to start with the lightest and work your way up to the most substantial (watery toner first, serum second, and moisturizer third).
According to Dr. King, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, bakuchiol, and botanical oils are some of the most important substances to watch out for while shopping for cold remedies. They have a synergistic effect that reduces inflammation, brings about a restoration of moisture, and fortifies the skin barrier.
Also, don’t forget the sun protection factor (SPF), which you must need even in the winter. According to Dr. Zeichner, “even accidental sunshine exposure builds up over the course of a lifetime.” “Even while the effects of the sun are likely to be more severe during the summer months, the winter months do not exempt you from the possibility of UV damage. Since ultraviolet light is reflected off of snow, it is possible to receive a severe sunburn even though it is the middle of winter.”
Apply Multiple Coats of Skincare
Even if we don’t need a reason to put on a face mask, winter is the perfect time to begin the practice if you haven’t already done so. The world of face masks for skincare is very wide, but you shouldn’t sleep on nighttime masks and you shouldn’t sleep on them either. Designed to be the last stage of your evening face routine, overnight masks help seal in all those serums, creams, and oils applied earlier.
“Your skin endures circadian cycles,” explains Dr. Zeichner. Because the levels of skin moisture begin to decrease in the afternoon and continue to diminish overnight, using a mask in the evening is particularly effective for maintaining skin hydration. Combine the use of an overnight mask with the use of a bedside humidifier if you sleep in a room that has unusually dry heat. This will further seal in moisture.
A mask that you leave on for the night is not only a relaxing treat for your skin, but it also provides an excellent chance to provide more focused therapies. Those who suffer from eczema, for instance, may get relief from components such as ceramides and aloe, while those who are interested in delaying the signs of aging may choose a night mask that contains retinol or bakuchiol.
