Winter Skin

reposted with permission © EMINENCE ORGANIC SKIN CARE
by: Christie Pike, January 12, 2016
Updated on October 31, 2019

It happens every year – winter descends and your skin recoils by turning dry, raw and dull. For several reasons, the cold season is often the worst time of year for your complexion. First, brutal winter weather whips around your skin, with chilling winds drawing moisture straight out of your skin. Second, we compensate for lower temperatures by cranking up the thermostat which further strips moisture. Under dual attack, it’s no wonder you suffer from the worst dry skin during wintertime.

The end result of winter conditions? Dull, sensitive, dry skin. Without moisture, your skin may be more sensitive and reactive than normal. Even oilier skin types experience uncharacteristic dryness and flaking. Says Megan Mayer from Huffington Post Beauty, “As the temperatures continue to drop, the dry environment and lack of moisture allow for cracked hands, chapped lips and scaly legs.”

Here are our suggestions for soothing your complexion with the best winter skin care products for an Eminence Organic Skin Care routine.

How To Fight Against Dryness

1. Use A Humidifier
Forced-air heaters blast away moisture during wintertime, stripping away important oils and leading to itchy skin. Try counteracting these drying effects by blowing a warm- or cool-mist humidifier instead. Re-introducing moisture into the air helps soothe and calm irritated skin.

2. Stop Taking Hot Baths And Showers
Hot baths and showers may warm you up during cold winter days, but hot water – especially on your face – will only dry out your skin. Extreme temperatures damage your skin’s moisture barrier, preventing it from locking in the moisture it needs to remain soft and smooth.

3. Fight Dry Skin Symptoms From The Inside
Who would have thought that you can tackle dry skin from the inside as well as out? Food rich in healthy fats can make a difference in your skin’s moisture levels. After all, fatty acids like omega-3s help replenish your skin’s lipid barrier and protect against moisture loss. Chow down on fat-rich foods like flax, avocado, safflower oil and nuts, as well as fish like salmon and sardines.

Hydrating Winter Skin Care Routine

To tackle dull winter skin, we’ve created a routine for all skin types that addresses wintertime issues. Follow these skincare steps to return a radiant glow to your dull, dry skin:

1. Cleanser
With winter draining the moisture from your complexion, try adding an oil-based cleanser like our Stone Crop Cleansing Oil to your winter skincare routine. This type of cleanser is beneficial for all skin types (even oily!) due to its ability to draw out oil-based impurities like stubborn makeup as well as replenish the skin with moisturizing ingredients like sunflower oil and jojoba oil. You can use it alone or pair it with your favorite gel or cream-based cleanser in a double cleanse.

2. Toner
Another easy way to keep your skin hydrated during the winter months is to use a toner. You can think of a toner as the conditioner to your cleanse. It adds a base layer of hydration that keeps your skin soft and moisturized. Try our Stone Crop Hydrating Mist, featuring the unique qualities of the stone crop plant to hydrate, soothe and heal dry skin. Watch the video below to learn more about this skin-saving ingredient:

3. Essence
One of the best ways to replenish dry winter skin is to add an essence to your skincare routine. A facial essence is a lightweight fluid that is often described as a cross between a toner and a serum. Packed with replenishing ingredients like snow mushroom, our Birch Water Purifying Essence deeply hydrates the skin and preps it to absorb the benefits of the skincare products that follow.

4. Exfoliate
Exfoliation is the best way to revive dull winter skin. However, it’s important to keep in mind that frigid temperatures and harsh winds can also make your skin more reactive. Fab Fit Fun recommends Calm Skin Chamomile Exfoliating Peel: “Thanks to Eminence‘s line of at-home exfoliating peels, your skin will look awesome. We love the Chamomile version, which soothes and renews even the most sensitive skin sans irritation and redness … And unlike some harsh formulas on the market, you can use this gentle one up to three times a week.”

5. Treat
Eminence Organics masks and facial oils are the perfect way to deliver an intense dose of nutrients and moisture to the skin. We recommend Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil, a facial treatment that blends results-oriented actives and ingredients for intense hydration and protection. It can be used morning and night, and is suitable for all skin types.

6. Moisturize
And last, but definitely not least, moisturize. Even though the sun isn’t as strong during the colder months, sun damage can still occur. Apply an SPF moisturizer daily like our Lilikoi Mineral Defense Moisturizer SPF 33 to replenish moisture and protect your skin from the drying effects of environmental stressors. Here’s how to apply it for a soft, smooth and protected complexion:

To enhance your winter skincare routine even further, try our selection of cold weather essentials at your nearest Eminence Organics partner spa.