The perfect skincare routine boosts your skin's health year-round. As the seasons change, so should a few of your skincare products. The same lightweight cleanser and gels that your skin loved during the summer might not provide enough protection during the winter months. As the temperatures drop, your skin is exposed to further external irritants that can cause visible redness, irritation, premature aging, and even breakouts. In addition, dry air, frigid winds, indoor heaters, scarves, and face masks can all absorb moisture from your skin, wrecking its natural protective barrier.1
To ensure that your skin is well protected this winter, it's time to swap out your summer skincare routine for a winter-approved one. Now, this doesn't mean that you have to plan an entire overhaul just yet. Luckily, you can develop a winter skincare routine with just a few simple swaps. First, determine how your skin adapts to the weather and notice where it may need a bit of extra help. Then adjust your products accordingly. If you are new to winter skincare, our Skin Health Experts are here to walk you through a few of the most common seasonal switches. From gentle cleansers to rich moisturizers, using products that protect your skin is crucial for achieving a seasonal glow all year round.
Step 1: Take a Gentler Approach to Cleansing
The foaming and bubbly cleansers you use during the summertime will not do your face any favors during the winter. While these types of cleaners work great to remove dirt and oil, they often contain sulfates that can dry your face rather than moisturize it. Instead, lock the moisture in this winter by switching to gentle cleansing creams, balms, and oils that will cleanse your skin without disrupting its natural barrier. For a gentle, daily face wash that you can use to cleanse without irritation, use our Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser. A non-foamy and creamy formula, it works to remove makeup, dirt, and oil while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture.
Step 2: Incorporate Gentle Exfoliation
Harsh winter weather can cause your skin to become dull during colder months, which means that your winter skincare routine may benefit from a bit of gentle exfoliation. A gentle exfoliator will remove the dead skin cells that accumulate from the dry winter air without drying out your skin. Additionally, exfoliating regularly will help your post-cleanse moisturizer absorb better, providing you with the bonus of added hydration. A gentle exfoliator will also be a good option if you have sensitive skin that can be irritated easily. Our Skin Health Experts recommend Liquid ExfoliKate™, a gentle yet effective triple acid exfoliator that improves texture and tone without irritation.
Step 3: Upgrade Your Moisturizer
No matter your skin type, it's essential to moisturize your skin—especially during colder months. Our skin produces fewer natural oils during winter than it does in the summer, leading to dry skin, patches, and flaking. Upgrading your everyday moisturizer to something a little heavier will help lock in the oils that your skin produces and protect your natural skin barrier.
There are types of moisturizers depending on your skin type. If you have oily skin or feel like a rich moisturizer is too much during the day, use a light moisturizer in the morning and apply a thicker one during your PM skincare routine. The Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver is a lightweight cream ideal for AM and PM application that absorbs quickly into your skin to instantly relieve dryness. With regular use, you’ll see visibly softer, smoother, and healthy-looking skin—even during the coldest months of winter. For added anti-aging benefits Our Skin Health Experts also recommend two of our thicker creams for evening use – Peptide K8™ Power Cream or KateCeuticals™ Total Repair Cream.
Step 4: Wear Sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen during the winter may seem a bit futile. But even if you’re not experiencing sunny days or spending time directly under the sun’s rays, you’re still exposed to the winter sun daily, which can be just as strong. Applying sunscreen regularly and using a moisturizer that contains sunscreen will keep your skin protected from the sun and UV rays and ward off premature signs of aging.
Step 5: Focus on Layering
Much like you wear a jacket to protect yourself from the harsh winter wind, your skin will require a few more layers of protection in the wintertime. Layering your skincare allows you to address multiple skin concerns while protecting your skin from over drying and irritation. After you've added a few essential products to your skincare regimen, begin layering them from lightest to heaviest. Watery toners should always be applied first, whereas serums like our KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum and moisturizers come second. Whether you have oily skin, combination skin, or dry winter skin, it's important to keep it hydrated during the dry months.
Changing your skincare routine with the seasons is essential for maintaining your skin's health and vibrant glow. By tweaking your daily regimen to fit your skin's unique needs, you can limit any dryness, redness, and/or irritation the season may cause. When swapping out one ingredient for another, allow a few days of application before determining its effectiveness. Visit us at Kate Somerville for winter skin care products that will keep your skin moisturized and healthy-looking.
Sources:
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23438136/
