Winter Skin Care Tips to Try Right Now

Looking to level up your winter skin care regimen? Well, there are a number of other things to be aware of then. Seeking solace in a favorite face oil or moisturizer might seem like the only answer (and they can help, but more on later), but there’s so much more you can and should do to properly combat dry and flaky skin.

So if you refuse to let your skin suffer as a result of plummeting temperatures this year, read on for seven must-follow rules of winter skin care, according to experts. You’ll get the hang of it in no time.

Strengthen Your Skin Barrier

“As we move into winter, our skin is exposed to variations in temperature and humidity, as well as wind and rain, which can place stress on our delicate skin barrier. It’s the perfect time to rethink your skincare routine to battle environmental stresses,” says consultant dermatologist Dr. Thivi Maruthappu. The key indicators of skin barrier disruption are tight, irritated, itchy and dehydrated skin.

Even in the months when the weather is less temperamental, our skin barrier is subject to disruption – excess use of stripping skincare products and external aggressors like pollution can affect it – but it’s especially important it’s looked after in winter. Look for skincare that contains ingredients like niacinamide (try Paula’s Choice Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment), which “increases ceramide production in the skin, is anti-inflammatory and fights uneven pigmentation”, explains Maruthappu, as well as ceramides themselves, lipids, and richer creams that lock moisture in.

Medik8’s HEO Mask is exactly the tonic for winter skin, as it contains humectants, emollients and occlusives in optimal ratios to first deeply hydrate and then lock in moisture. Use it once or twice a week to tackle dehydration and dryness. Meanwhile, La Roche-Posay’s cult Cicaplast Baume B5 is another excellent barrier repair product.  “Look after your skin barrier and it looks after you,” Maruthappu says.

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Nail Your Nighttime Routine

It’s at night that our skin goes into repair and restore mode, so it’s key to get your evening skincare routine in check. Facialist Debbie Thomas recommends cleansing with a non-drying acid cleanser – “look for polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), as they are the kinder cousins of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)” – like Exuviance’s Gentle Cream Cleanser, and then following up with an active product. “I alternate retinol with peptides, which are the second most proven ingredient when it comes to skin health and regeneration after retinol, and then apply a ceramide-rich hydrator to seal in the actives and protect the skin,” she explains.

Thomas is quick to warn about retinol, however, and says that though you might assume winter is the best time to start using it, the skin is already prone to becoming irritated and dry in the cooler months, so it’s important to tread carefully. “It can take several weeks for the skin to acclimate to retinol use. It’s common to experience some dryness and redness, so if your skin already goes this way in winter, the combination of both could be unbearable and difficult to deal with. My main advice is not to overdo it.” Those already using retinol can continue as normal.

Don’t Over-Exfoliate

When flakes strike, sometimes it feels like the only route is to exfoliate them away. Actually, this can further impair the skin barrier, leading to more skin issues. “I tend to advise reducing the frequency of exfoliation to once or twice a week,” says Maruthappu, “And avoid combining physical exfoliants, like grainy scrubs, with chemical exfoliants, like alpha or beta hydroxy acids, as this can lead to redness and irritation – particularly if you are also using a retinoid product.” The secret? Don’t overdo it with your skincare. Less (and gentle) is more.

Use Antioxidants

One of the biggest challenges for our skin in winter is the constant changes in temperature; moving from the heat to the cold outside wreaks havoc on our skin. Spending time inside with less fresh air can also cause problems. “Recycled air has more toxins in it and central heating removes water from the atmosphere, which in turn removes water from the skin,” explains Thomas, who is a big fan of keeping an air purifier in the room you spend the most time in to promote healthy skin. We love the Dyson Pure Cool Me Purifying Fan.

Antioxidant-rich skincare is also important, as it helps defend the skin against micro-toxins caused by recycled air, as well as those from pollution, UV and blue light damage, all of which are very much real, even in the depths of winter. Look for ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol and niacinamide.

Avoid Oils if You’re Oily

Don’t assume that the cold months mean you have to switch your favorite moisturizers for face oils. While drier skin types can benefit, oilier ones should steer clear. “I generally recommend face oils for those with dry skin, as oils tend to sit on the skin surface and prevent further moisture loss,” says Maruthappu. “An additional, separate moisturizer can help to reach deeper layers of the skin as well. I tend to advise against oils for oily or acne-prone skin, as this can trigger breakouts by causing further congestion.” Those with oily skin should instead stick to non-comedogenic formulas that contain ingredients like dimethicone, ceramides or hyaluronic acid.

Heavier Isn’t Better

Just as with oils, thick and heavy formulas aren’t always best for the skin, although they do have their place in some skincare regimes. Thick, nourishing balm cleansers are a wonderful way to treat skin to some pamper time, but they won’t necessarily hydrate skin. “If you apply a lot of heavy products to the surface, your skin’s sensors read this as not requiring true hydration, so they won’t absorb the required water into the deeper layers of skin,” explains Thomas.

“After a time, the deeper layers become lazy and unhealthy, which eventually means more dryness and more irritation on the upper layers.” To remedy this, look to hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, and simply seal them in with good hydrators, as mentioned earlier. “The best way to hydrate your skin is from within, so drink lots of water too,” Thomas says.

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Vitamin D Supplements Can Help

Taking a vitamin D supplement in winter can be helpful; most of us aren’t getting enough year-round, let alone in the colder months when the days are shorter and darker. It’s important for our skin, too. “Vitamin D is key for the skin’s defenses,” says Thomas. “Inflammatory conditions, like acne, rosacea and eczema often flare up when we are deficient in it.” On top of that, a lack of it can negatively affect our mood, causing further hormonal imbalances, meaning our skin is infinitely more likely to misbehave.

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This story originally appeared on British Vogue.

Originally Appeared on Glamour