We’ve become so good at it in the summer—protecting our skin with dollops of sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and shady spots at the beach. And yet in the winter, a time when our skin can be even more exposed to the elements, we often underdo it, and our skin pays for it. How can you nourish dry or dehydrated skin in winter? We’re sharing our winter skincare tips with the use of natural skin care products.
WHY IS YOUR SKIN SO DRY IN THE WINTER?
In so many ways, winter works against our skin. As we step out into cold weather, our faces are exposed to not just the chill but also winds and the sun—sometimes all at once, sometimes for hours if you spend time at the ski hill.
As we go inside to warm up, our skin is exposed to the hot, dry air of furnaces and space heaters that suck away our skin’s moisture. We wrap our hands around mugs of coffee, which can draw water away and deplete hydration levels. It’s no wonder that so many of us experience the effects: tight, itchy, sensitive skin that’s dehydrated and desperately in need of replenishing.
Sometimes winter conditions can actually cause the skin to become oily so take care not to be confused by your skin’s signals. When the skin is losing hydration, it will ramp up natural oil production in an attempt to lock in moisture. There’s a chance that if your skin is shiny, it could be the result of dehydration.
IS YOUR SKIN DRY OR DEHYDRATED?
How do you know if your skin is dehydrated or dry? Here are a few typical characteristics of dehydrated skin:
- Itchiness
- Tightness
- Dullness
- Sensitivity
- Dehydration lines
Here are a few typical characteristics of dry skin:
- Flaky all over or dry skin on face
- Uncomfortably tight
Still need help determining if your skin is dehydrated or if you have dry skin as a skin type? Learn more in our article Do You Have Dehydrated Skin?
PREVENTING DRY SKIN IN THE WINTER
Giving your skin the extra care it needs in winter requires moisturizing from the inside out. Here are our top tips:
Use only gentle cleansers. Harsh cleansers can strip away your skin’s natural oils and protective lipid barriers, worsening dryness and sensitivity. TRY: Kaolin + Coconut Milk Radiant Cleansing Balm
Use a toner to give better distribution and staying power to your face oils and moisture creams. For a quick shot of hydration and a noticeable glow, keep a mini mist in your bag and spray your skin a few times a day. TRY: Pink Coconut Hydrating Face Mist.
Use plant-based face oils for lasting hydration and top-level moisture protection. Depending on your skin type and concerns, TRY: Rosehip + Black Cumin Clarifying Face Oil or Marula + Cactus Nourishing Face Oil. If you're not sure which oil is best for you, take our skin quiz.
This preventative care is especially important if your lipid barrier isn’t working as it should because of advanced skin conditions such as psoriasis or dermatitis.
Use a moisturizer made for winter. This time of year, we’re always being asked which moisturizer is best for dry skin in winter. Our answer is, one with humectants! These natural moisture agents—honey, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and vegetable glycerin—are seasonal superheroes that attract and retain moisture.
With humectants in your moisture cream, your skin is instantly replenished and dewy. Depending on your skin type and concerns, TRY: Coconut Dew Hyaluronic Moisture Cream or Gotu Kola + Squalene Hyaluronic Nourishing Cream.
Remember the eyes. The skin around the eyes is incredibly delicate even without the added stresses of winter. For extra protection, layer up with a fortifying serum and eye cream. TRY: Cucumber Tea Brightening Eye Serum and Bilberry + Tucuma Antioxidant Eye Cream.
Remember sun protection when you’re enjoying outdoor winter adventures. SPF moisturizer and sunglasses or goggles are a must. A toxin-free sunscreen we recommend is The Detox Market’s Nutrient Day Cream with SPF 30.
OM IS A LINE OF PURE, PLANT-BASED, TOTALLY CLEAN SKIN AND BODY CARE DESIGNED TO HELP YOU FEEL MORE CONFIDENT, NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL AND BODY-POSITIVE. SHOP OM PRODUCTS.