SKINCARE ADVICE
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF DRY SKIN IN WINTER

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF DRY SKIN IN WINTER

Winter sees an uptick in dryness across all skin types – and it’s not just because of changing weather conditions. Longer, hotter showers and dry indoor air from heaters also pull moisture from skin, leading to dryness, flakiness, and for some, tender skin sensations.

To combat dryness from both indoor and outdoor stressors, you can implement a winter skin routine. Seasonal skincare routines help to support skin through the unique needs that come with warmer and cooler months, and help to maintain anti-ageing and healthy skin goals.

In this article, see how to take care of skin in winter with a few tweaks to your products. The best face wash for dry skin in winter and other products are ahead.

What happens to skin in winter?

Cold air, low humidity levels and dry wind all remove moisture from skin. This happens through a process called trans-epidermal water loss (or TEWL), whereby environmental conditions pull water from skin’s layers. TEWL is accelerated by winter weather like low temperatures and low humidity. The combination of weather, indoor heating and hot showers results in the following dry skin in winter experiences:

Rough textured skin

Visible dead skin on the surface layer

Flakiness and scaliness

Redness in skin

Tender skin sensations

How to take care of skin in winter: 3 skincare tips

Winter skincare at home can help prep skin for harsh outdoor conditions, combatting trans-epidermal water loss to keep complexions soft and radiant. Just like with wardrobe changes, a winter skin routine should have adjustments from its summer counterpart. See the equivalent of a cosy scarf for skin below and take back hydration.

1. Implement a hydrating cleanser

The hydrating element of skincare routines is often just attributed to moisturisers, facial oils and evening creams. However, all skincare steps should support moisture levels – and in winter this is especially important! As part of your winter skin routine, opt for a gentle cleanser which won’t remove skin’s natural oils and contains moisturising properties. Ultra Facial Cleanser is formulated with squalane – an emollient that helps to keep skin soft. Also included is avocado oil and apricot kernels to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells and nourish skin.

2. Opt for a rich cream

To address a decrease in natural moisture you can increase the moisture content of your creams. The best moisturisers for dry skin in winter are thick-textured formulas which contain intensely nourishing skincare ingredients. Our #1 facial moisturiser Ultra Facial Cream is packed with moisturising squalane, glacial glycoprotein and glycerin. These ingredients help to re-establish and maintain moisture, for 24-hour hydration and soft skin. If skin feels and looks stressed, Skin Rescuer can also be implemented. Specially developed for sensitive skin types, the formula combines rosa gallica botanical extract with chamomile to increase comfort.

Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream

3. Use overnight products

As we sleep our skin works to repair itself, addressing stress and oxidisation built up over the day. Overnight creams, serums and oils help to support this process by supplying skin’s layers with deep nourishment. To combat dry winter skin as you sleep and wake up looking refreshed, include overnight products in your winter skin routine:

Overnight creams are thicker textured than daytime moisturisers, to allow for continued absorption and protection as you sleep. Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream is enriched with Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids and botanical blends, to strengthen skin’s lipid layer and address oxidative stress.

Evening facial oils are a great addition to winter skincare at home for a few reasons. Apart from imparting their own hydrating ingredients, they work to seal in the ingredients of your other products. They also help strengthen the skin moisture barrier for better protection against TEWL. Midnight Recovery Concentrate Facial Oil visibly improve the look and feel of skin via a combination of hydrating evening primrose oil, comforting lavender essential oil and softening squalane.

Other winter skin tips

Your winter skin routine doesn’t stop at skincare. To maintain lasting hydration there are healthy lifestyle habits you can adopt in colder months. For how to take care of skin in winter, combine your nourishing skincare ingredients with these winter skin tips:

Don’t overdo heat. Your shower might feel comforting in the moment, but hot water temperatures dry skin out. The same goes for indoor heaters, as dry air will pull moisture from your skin’s layers. Try to keep both levels low.
Invest in an air humidifier. To combat the dry air propelled from heaters, an air purifier can be used. These devices increase the moisture level in the air.
Eat healthy and drink lots of water. For overall bodily health including skin, ensure your diet is rich in healthy fats and nutrients. Avocados, fish, nuts and vegetables are all packed with nourishing properties which can help the health of skin.
Wear SPF in winter too. UV radiation is year-round – and especially in New Zealand, where levels remain high even in winter. To protect skin from dryness and premature ageing, apply broad spectrum sunscreen as your last skincare step in the morning every day.

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