Our winter skin care routine and tips will have you welcoming the chilly weather with a healthy, hydrated glow. Say goodbye to sensitive, dry winter skin.
How to treat dry skin, sensitive skin, and other winter skin conditions
Keeping skin hydrated in winter can be tough. Everyone is familiar with the trials of dry winter skin: dryness, cracking, sensitivity - all painful reminders of how cold it is outside. On the inside, we have indoor heat to protect us. What do we have to protect our skin in the winter months?
Fortunately, a winter skin care routine can keep your skin healthy all throughout the coldest part of the year.
At Vela Days, we care about your skin’s health. If the cold, windy weather is wreaking havoc with your skin we have the winter skincare routine for you. Our simple 3-step formula is highly concentrated, and allows you to get out there and enjoy winter with confidence.
How does winter affect the skin?
The winter months can be tough on the skin, and the cold, dry air can cause the skin to become dry, flaky, and irritated.
Research shows winter's low humidity and cold temperatures negatively impact the skin barrier by increasing transepidermal water loss and reducing skin surface hydration.
These environmental factors weakened skin barrier function, resulting in dry, irritated skin. The skin barrier, comprising skin cells and lipids, is vital in retaining moisture and protecting our skin. In dry, low-humidity conditions, there's less moisture for the skin to absorb, leading to increased water evaporation, known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This causes skin dehydration and dryness.
Dry air can also weaken the skin barrier by affecting its lipids, which hold skin cells together. A compromised barrier retains less moisture and becomes more susceptible to irritants, resulting in further dryness, sensitivity, and inflammation.
In addition, the lack of sunlight can lead to vitamin D deficiency, further contributing to dryness.
Chilly winter days and nights can affect the skin in a multitude of ways.
Dryness and flaking: When your skin struggles to retain moisture, you'll notice it feeling dry, tight, flaky, or even itchy.
Skin sensitivity: Skin can develop seasonal sensitivity in winter, even if you don't usually have reactive skin. The cold air, wind, and indoor heating can irritate your skin, causing redness, stinging, or even breakouts. To soothe sensitive skin, be gentle with your skincare routine, and use products specifically designed for sensitive skin types.
Cracked skin: When your skin gets extremely dry, it can become prone to cracking, especially on your hands and feet.
Chapped lips: Winter can be tough on our lips too! The cold air, wind, and indoor heating can leave our lips feeling dry, cracked, and uncomfortable. Keep your lips soft and smooth by applying a quality lip balm regularly, especially before going outside or heading to bed.
Ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, or vitamin E are nourishing and ideal to provide extra hydration and protection.
These symptoms are caused or exacerbated by:
Low humidity: Winter air is typically drier due to lower humidity levels. The skin can lose water more rapidly with less moisture in the atmosphere than in humid environments. This process, known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), leads to dehydration and dryness of the skin.
Cold temperatures: Cold temperatures can cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin's surface. This decrease in blood flow can lead to reduced delivery of essential nutrients and oxygen necessary for maintaining skin health.
Indoor heating: We usually rely on indoor heating systems to keep us warm during the winter, which can further decrease moisture inside homes and buildings. This drop in indoor humidity can exacerbate skin dryness and make it more prone to cracking, itching, and irritation.
Wind exposure: Exposure to cold winds can also strip moisture from the skin's surface, contributing to dryness and irritation. Wind can also cause minor abrasions on the skin, which may weaken the skin barrier and make it more susceptible to moisture loss.
Hot showers: We all know how tempting it can be to take long, hot showers during the chilly winter months. While they might feel incredibly cozy, hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, which help maintain a healthy barrier and moisturise your skin.
On top of that, staying in hot water for an extended time can increase the moisture your skin loses, leading to dehydration and dryness.
The best ingredients for dry, dehydrated winter skin
There are ways you can readily combat dryness, sensitivity and dehydration with essential skin care products and ingredients. These can include:
- Hyaluronic acid - Attracts and holds water molecules, providing intense hydration and plumping the skin.
- Lactic acid - Gently exfoliates and acts as a humectant, promoting smoother, more hydrated skin.
- Shea butter - Nourishes and protects with fatty acids and vitamins, locking in moisture and soothing dry skin.
- Vitamin E - A potent antioxidant with moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties that helps soothe and repair skin.
- Hemp seed oil - Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, it nourishes and hydrates the skin while also helping to regulate oil production and support the skin's barrier function.
- Botanical body oil - Nourishing oils like jojoba, almond, or argan oil provide hydration, restore the skin's barrier, and promote a healthy, glowing complexion.
Incorporating these ingredients into your skincare routine can help combat dry and dehydrated skin.
Your complete winter skin care routine
This is the first day of better winter skin! Here's everything you need to know about building a protective, hydration focused winter skin care routine.
We recommend products that contain hemp seed oil as part of a winter skin care routine. Hemp seed oil is a good choice for winter skin care because it's rich in essential fatty acids, which can help to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated. In addition, hemp seed oil is packed with vitamins and minerals that can help to nourish the skin.
Moisturiser
A good moisturiser is key to keeping your skin hydrated in winter. Look for a moisturiser that's oil-based, rather than water-based, as this will help to lock in moisture. Better yet, a hemp seed oil based moisturiser will keep your skin barrier supple and glowing.
Face serum
A face serum can also be beneficial for winter skin care, as it can help to boost hydration levels. Face serums rich in botanical oils can add plenty of moisture and nourishment to the skin.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is important for all skin types, but it's especially important in winter, as dead skin cells can build up and make your skin look dull. Be sure to use a gentle exfoliator, as harsh scrubs can strip away natural oils and leave skin feeling dry and irritated.
Cleanser
A rich, creamy cleanser can also be helpful for winter skin care, as it can help to remove excess dirt and oil without stripping away moisture. A cleanser should work on both wet and dry skin to offer plenty of restorative cleansing.
Lip balm
A lip balm with SPF is a must for any winter skincare routine, as lips are especially susceptible to drying out in the winter. Be sure to find a lip balm that is gentle and non-habit forming. Some lip balms, like pawpaw ointment, can make the lips reliant on constant application.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is important for year-round skin care, even in winter. Be sure to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and apply it generously.
Following these winter skin care tips can help you keep your skin hydrated and healthy all season long. If you are suffering with serious symptoms of dryness or exacerbated skin conditions like eczema, we recommend consulting a board-certified dermatologist.
What else should I be doing to combat winter skin?
Skip scalding hot showers. Choose lukewarm water instead, which will help your skin retain its natural moisture.
Keep the central heating in check. Try to find a comfortable balance that doesn't dry out your skin excessively.
Embrace fragrance-free products. Steer clear of items with added artificial fragrances, as they can irritate some skin.
Stay hydrated. Remember to drink plenty of water, just as you would during the summer months, to naturally boost your skin's moisture levels.
Consistency is key. Continue to use moisturising ingredients daily, as your skin needs help keeping moisture sealed into the skin.
Protect yourself from the wind. Bundle up in cozy layers to shield your skin from harsh winter elements.
Choose the right winter skincare products. It goes without saying that finding the perfect products tailored to your skin's needs is essential.
Winter skin routine from Vela Days
Creating a great skin barrier is all about finding the right winter skin care routine. This can be a challenge in summer, and an outright chore in winter. So why not find a winter skin routine that works all year-round?
Vela Days' 3-step winter skin care routine includes everything you need to create supple, healthy-looking skin, not only in winter, but throughout the seasons.
This routine is well-suited to all skin types, especially dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin
Vela Days skincare routine offers an all-year-round solution for dry and dehydrated skin, with products specifically designed to cleanse, treat, and nourish:
Step 1: The Lipid Complex Oil-to-Milk Face Cleanser
A gentle cleanser that melts away impurities and makeup. It helps maintain the skin's natural lipid balance, preserving moisture and preventing dryness during winter months.
Step 2: The Active Compound Multi-Active Anti-Aging Face Serum
A potent treatment that delivers active ingredients to rejuvenate winter-weary skin. Its powerful formula targets signs of aging and enhances the skin's natural hydration, resulting in a smoother, more radiant complexion.
Step 3: The Oil Infusion Hemp-based Face Oil
Provides deep nourishment and hydration through a blend of nutrient-rich botanical oils. This infusion helps to restore and reinforce the skin's natural barrier, protecting it from the harsh winter elements and promoting a healthy, glowing appearance.
All you need to do is add sunscreen and a hydrating balm, and you're good to go!
For more information about how our products operate in winter, get in touch with the friendly team at Vela Days. They'd be happy to answer any and all questions. For advice on specific skin care concerns, we will always recommend contacting your board-certified dermatologist.
