Changing Up Your Skincare Regimen For a Healthy Winter Glow

With winter comes a season full of reasons to be merry, but winter is far from a wonderful time for the skin. From tightness to dullness and dryness, the cold weather can wreak serious havoc. Read on to learn why seasonal changes to your skincare routine are necessary, and what you can do to achieve a healthy and hydrated winter glow.

Causes of Dry Skin in the Winter

Cold and Dry Air 

Water in the skin evaporates more quickly when the outside air is cold and dry, and this can result in dry, flaky skin that can be embarrassing or uncomfortable.

Using Heaters Indoors

The dry indoor air dries out the skin on the face, and it also dries out other internal and external parts of the body.

Hot Showers

A long hot bath or shower strips the skin of its protective oils, leaving the skin dry and irritated.

Not Moisturizing

Applying a moisturizer to the skin in the winter is just as critical as using one in the summer months.

A Lack of Hydration

Without adequate amounts of water, the skin can appear dull. Imperfections like scars, enlarged pores, and fine lines will appear exaggerated as the skin shrinks to its tightest position.

Giving Skin What It Needs Most: Incorporate a Facial Oil

If you only make one change to your winter skincare routine, let it be the addition of facial oil. While a light moisturizer may be perfect in the warm summer months, it’s not enough to combat cold weather’s drying effects. Facial oils consist of either a single oil or a blend of botanical and herbal oils. These oils are packed with the natural benefits of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that the skin craves most. A facial oil will improve hydration, nurture the skin, and provide it with lipids that strengthen the protective barrier. Facial oil boosts hydration levels by sealing in water and preventing evaporation off the skin.

Stop Over-Cleansing

Rich and foamy cleansers can be particularly damaging to the skin in colder months. Over-cleansing is a common culprit for a range of skin concerns, including dry, flaky patches and never-ending breakouts. If skin feels tight and dry after cleansing, that should be an immediate red flag that your cleanser is too harsh for your skin type. A gentle cleanser should leave skin feeling refreshed, clean, and hydrated.

Invest in a Humidifier

Using a humidifier is highly underrated, and it can be a real winter skin savior. Cold weather causes humidity levels to decrease, which leaves less moisture in the air. The result is dry, flaky patches of skin that lack natural moisture. Investing in a humidifier will put moisture back into the air and restore a room’s humidity level. Sleeping with a humidifier can also help to maximize the effects of nighttime skincare treatments.

Upgrade Your Moisturizer

Serums are ultra-moisturizing and have many excellent anti-aging benefits. A serum’s micro molecules can penetrate the skin more quickly and deeply than a traditional cream moisturizer. Additionally, many contain active ingredients designed to treat specific skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, dryness, wrinkles, scarring, and breakouts.

Keep Lips Moisturized

Lips have a thin outer layer and virtually no oil glands to produce moisture. Because of this, they quickly end up chapped, dry, and cracked in the winter. Not all lip balms are created equal, so think twice before reaching for just any lip moisturizer. When looking for an ideal winter balm, search for soothing, healing, and moisturizing ingredients. Natural ingredients like calendula, beeswax, shea butter, vitamin E, and hemp seed oil are ideal, and harmful chemicals like parabens and synthetic fragrances should be avoided.

Give Your Skin The Hydration it Craves in Cold Weather

The HydraFacial accomplishes great wintertime skin rejuvenation without an involved procedure. This hydradermabrasion procedure combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration, and antioxidant protection simultaneously. The results will leave you with a hydrated and radiant winter complexion with no discomfort or downtime. As our gift to you, buy any 2 HydraFacials (Signature, Deluxe or Platinum) & receive 1 complimentary certificate to use for yourself or to gift! Invest in yourself and request an appointment to claim this offer. From skin care products to revitalizing HydraFacials, Vein & Laser Institute can help give your skin the nourishment and moisture it craves most all winter. Available December only, receive 20% off all ZO Skin Health and Skinceuticals products – shop online, ship to your home or schedule a pickup at our Valparaiso office!