Wintertime can be tough on your skin. The cold air outside and the dry heat inside robs your skin of its natural moisture, leaving it feeling dry, tight, and flaky. Your skin requires a little extra attention, so you should be extra careful about what products you’re using and how. But don’t despair! There are a few simple things you can do to maintain glowing skin and feeling its best all winter long.
How to improve your skincare routine for glowing skin
First things first: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! A good quality facial moisturizer is essential for keeping your skin hydrated during the winter months. Apply it after washing your face in the morning and before going to bed at night. Pro tip- apply your moisturizer on damp skin. Dampness allows the skincare actives better penetrate the skin and work their magic. Don’t forget to apply a lip balm frequently throughout the day to keep your lips from getting too chapped.
Exfoliating your skin should be part of your routine in winter
Next, exfoliate regularly. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells that can build up on your face, giving you a dull complexion. I like to use a gentle scrub two or three times a week. Just be sure not to overdo it, as exfoliating too often can irritate your skin.
There are a lot of different ingredients that can be effective for exfoliation, but some are better than others. Two of the most important things to look for are AHAs and BHAs. AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, help to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells so that they can be more easily removed. Common AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid. BHAs, or beta hydroxy acids, penetrate deeper into the pores and help to break down sebum and other oils that can lead to breakouts. The most common BHA is salicylic acid. Other helpful ingredients include enzymes, as well as jojoba beads or other physical exfoliants.
SPF is your year-round BFF
Don’t forget sunscreen! Just because it’s not sunny outside doesn’t mean your skin isn’t at risk of sun damage. Make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every morning before you leave the house.
Sun protection is essential in preventing not only skin aging but also serious skin conditions. One of the main reasons for skin aging is collagen degradation, which happens naturally, but one of the main culprits is UV rays.
UV rays activate the production of certain enzymes on the skin, which breaks down collagen. Lack of collagen leads to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. SPF works as a first-line defense against UV rays, prevents the degradation of collagen, and protects the skin from developing serious conditions, such as skin cancer.
Use specialized skincare ingredients that help keep your skin healthy
Hyaluronic acid
There are many benefits of using topical hyaluronic acid on the skin. In addition to providing long-lasting hydration, this ingredient can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Topical use of this ingredient can also help to diminish the appearance of dark circles under the eyes and improve skin elasticity.
Thermal Mineral Water
Thanks to its mineral-rich makeup, thermal water can be absorbed deep into the skin, plumping and hydrating all the way down. Its mineral content also helps to soothe the skin and helping to reverse UV damage, inflammation, and irritation.
Besides this, mineral water can also help balance the microbiome of your skin
Metabiotics
Metabiotics are the core of probiotic activity and they offer a range of benefits for our skin, such as improving hydration, reducing inflammation, and protecting against free radical damage. They are essentially the hardworking molecules behind the probiotic activity.
Lactic acid is a well-known cosmetic ingredient and a metabiotic that offers a range of benefits for the skin. It works as an exfoliant, helping to slough away dead skin cells and revealing smoother, glowing skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and irritation.
Peptides are another metabiotic that offers a range of benefits for the skin. They are small chains of amino acids that help to stimulate collagen production, resulting in firmer, plumper skin. Peptides also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and irritation.
New skincare ingredients for glowing skin
Among these familiar names, there are a few yet to be heard of for their science-backed skin benefits. Lipoteichoic acid, is naturally found in bacteria and is released during the process of metabiotic manufacturing. It works as an antioxidant and helps protect the skin from external damage. It neutralizes free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can cause oxidative stress and lead to premature aging.
Sphingomyelinase (SMase) is also naturally produced by probiotics in their lifecycle. SMase is an enzyme responsible for the production of ceramides. Ceramides are essential lipids that help to keep the skin’s barrier intact, preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental aggressors.
Skincare is just a part of overall selfcare
Finally, make sure you are getting enough water. It’s easy to get dehydrated during the winter when you’re not sweating as much, so be sure to drink lots of water and eat foods that are high in water content (think fruits and veggies). By following these simple tips, you can have healthy, glowing skin all winter long!
Taking care of your skin during the winter doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Just remember to moisturize, exfoliate regularly, and stay hydrated, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving healthy, beautiful skin!