Winter is coming! Along with the winter months come the colder temps, shorter days and drier skin. I am a mostly oily girl during the spring and summer months. When I was younger, I could apply makeup at 8 am and by 9 am I was reapplying my powder. As I got older and went thru menopause, I am not near as oily as I used to be. I have also noticed in the last few years, my oily summer skin took a turn to normal/combination skin when the colder months would approach. I started implementing changes to my skincare routine in order to keep my skin feeling and looking more hydrated during the winter months. Today, I am going to share these 5 simple steps you can do to help alleviate dry winter skin.
Layer your moisturizer. This is one of the easiest steps to incorporate into your skincare routine. First, apply a hydrating serum. Look for products that contain hyaluronic acid. My favorite one is the Hydrating Serum by Revision. After I have removed my makeup and cleansed my skin, I apply my hydrating serum and let it sit for a few minutes. Then I apply my cream based moisturizer on top. My go to product in the winter is the DEJ Night Cream by Revision.
Switch to a Creamier Face Wash. During the warmer months, I do like a cleanser that foams. I feel like it is lighter and makes my face feel “a little drier”. I like the way my skin feels after using a foaming face wash. I will transition this to a cleanser that is a little more creamier in texture. If you are very dry, a lotion like cleanser might be better for your skin. I love using the Cerave SA Renewing Cleanser during the winter. I use it at night after removing my makeup. It gently exfoliates and contains ceramides which will help to moisturize the skin.
Decrease my retinol. My regular routine has a retinol product in it. I use it every other night. During the summer months my skin can tolerate this frequency because I have a little more oil on my skin. As the colder months approach, my retinol can dry my skin out. So, I will back down my usage of this to 3 days a week (usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday). If you are sensitive to retinols in general, try a product that is bakuchiol based. It is a retinol alternative that is effective but gentle on the skin.
Add in an overnight mask. I love using an overnight mask a few nights a week. During the winter, it is like a drink of water for the skin. I will incorporate this into my routine usually on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Using an overnight mask helps to lock in your serums and creams. This one from Sephora is amazing! It contains squalane with is a great moisturizer.
Apply a thick body lotion. I couldn’t leave out the body! In the summer, I keep my body lotion very light. It is usually aloe based that helps soothe my skin after a day on the boat or at the pool. As September rolls around, I change to a thicker lotion. This one from Nivea is my favorite! A little goes a long way. Pro tip–apply your body lotion while the skin is still damp. It helps the lotion to absorb more readily.
I hope you have enjoyed this post of how I change up my skincare routine during the winter months! These are simple tips you can implement now to get your skin hydrated and glowing all season long!!
