Winter weather can be rough on our skin with its cold temperatures, low humidity, and harsh winds.
Studies have shown that 83% of people notice a difference in their skin during winter with 69% reporting dryness, 51% — itchiness, and 24% noticing redness.
According to the face yoga app Luvly, Google searches for ‘dull skin treatment’ and ‘dry dull skin’ have gone up +159% and +130% respectively — signaling that readers are searching for a remedy.
Olga Skydan, a certified cosmetologist and dermatologist at Luvly, is sharing 4 changes you need to make to your beauty routine to start rejuvenating your face in the weeks leading up to spring — without pricey procedures and injections.
How to undo winter skin damage before spring1/ Cut the long, hot showers
“It’s tempting to thaw out from winter’s chill with long, steamy showers, but your skin pays the price. Hot water strips away natural oils and weakens your skin barrier. As a result you have this tight, itchy feeling. To undo the damage, switch to lukewarm water and cap showers at 5–10 minutes. After you’re done with the shower, pat your skin dry, and while it’s still slightly damp, lock in moisture with a body cream that contains shea butter or glycerin,” — says Skydan.
2/ Sleep with a humidifier and upgrade your pillowcase
Skydan explains that nighttime is prime time for skin repair, but if the air in your room is dry your skin loses moisture while you sleep. But fear not, there is a simple fix.
“Run a humidifier by your bed to help your skin stay hydrated overnight. I also recommend you check your pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture from your face, so swap them for silk or satin,” — she suggests.
3/ Ditch harsh exfoliants and opt for enzyme peels
“If your winter skin looks dull and flaky, your first instinct might be to grab a gritty scrub, am I right? Well, you should stop this, because physical exfoliants with rough particles can create micro-tears in your skin and damage your moisture barrier,” — she warned.
“Instead, use enzyme peels, which dissolve dead skin cells without harsh scrubbing. I suggest looking for peels with natural enzymes. They gently slough off dead skin and boost cell turnover and use them once a week for dry skin and twice a week for oily skin. If your skin feels extra sensitive afterward, layer on a peptide serum, it helps healing and prevents irritation.”
4/ Load up on ceramides and peptides
Winter can leave your skin barrier cracked and fragile, so your priority this week is to rebuild it.
“Ceramides reinforce the barrier and prevent water loss. Find a moisturizer packed with ceramides and apply it twice a day. For best results, apply the peptide serum first, let it absorb for a minute, then follow with your ceramide cream to seal everything in. It works overtime but you will see the results if you keep it consistent this week,” — Skydan recommends.
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