by Senior Skincare Specialist, Louné Maree
This might not be what you want to hear, but the colder months are around the corner and the time to start with “winter prep” is almost upon us! Winter conditions can be tough on your skin due to low humidity and indoor heating, causing dryness and sensitivity. And with all the environmental changes that await, so should a change in your skincare approach. Winter skincare means adapting to environmental challenges, adopting advanced strategies, and integrating intensive treatments for radiant skin during the colder months.
To combat this, we look at things such as adjusting your skincare routine with advanced strategies like using richer moisturizers and serums with hyaluronic acid, not ditching the sunscreen (a big no-no), focusing on preparing for intensive winter skincare treatments, including exfoliation for smoother skin and hydrating masks for specific concerns (to name just a few).
By understanding these factors, you can proactively address winter skin issues and maintain a healthy complexion.
Remember – skin that does not experience an adapted skincare routine as the seasons change, often sees undesirable changes when the new seasons come about; we want to avoid this altogether and remain as radiant as possible!
Let’s dive into the importance of preparing your skin for winter, and how to go about it to achieve and maintain glowing, radiant results.
Table of contents
- DO I REALLY HAVE TO PREPARE MY SKIN FOR WINTER?
- UNDERSTAND YOUR SKIN TYPE AND ITS NEEDS
- HYDRATE AND NOURISH FROM WITHIN
- MOVE TO GENTLER CLEANSING AND EXFOLIATION
- OPT FOR RICHER SKIN MOISTURISERS
- SHIELD YOUR SKIN FROM HARSHER WEATHER
- PREPARE YOUR SKIN WITH SERUMS AND OILS
- PREPARE FOR INTENSIVE WINTER SKINCARE TREATMENTS
- PREPARE WITH LESS INTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS
- MONITOR YOUR SKIN’S RESPONSE
- MAINTAIN SKIN HEALTH WITH A CONSISTENT ROUTINE
- FINAL THOUGHTS IN WINTER SKINCARE PREPARATION
- HOW TO GET STARTED
DO I REALLY HAVE TO PREPARE MY SKIN FOR WINTER?
Absolutely… Winter’s dry air and cold temperatures can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to heightened dryness and irritation. Emphasizing the need for skin preparation is crucial to counter these challenges. Without proper readiness, the skin’s protective barrier weakens, making it prone to redness, itching, and flakiness. Prepared skin responds better to intensive winter treatments, enhancing their effectiveness.
This proactive approach involves adequate moisturization, ensuring a healthy skin barrier, and addressing existing issues before introducing more intensive treatments. Following pre-treatment guidelines from skincare specialists is paramount for safe and effective skincare. Recognizing winter risks, understanding preparation benefits, and heeding professional advice ensure optimal skin health in colder months.
Let’s cover our top 10 tips for preparing your skin for optimal health and radiance this winter.
UNDERSTAND YOUR SKIN TYPE AND ITS NEEDS
Understanding your skin type is pivotal for effective skincare, especially in winter. Whether dry, oily, combination, or sensitive, each type demands tailored products for optimal results. Identifying your skin type to customize a winter skincare routine that precisely addresses concerns like dryness or sensitivity. Different skin types require varied approaches to colder weather; for example, dry skin benefits from richer moisturizers, while oily skin thrives on lightweight, non-comedogenic products.
Skin analysis tools (such as the VISIA Skin Analysis device), available through skincare professionals, are paramount in refining understanding. These tools provide insights into hydration levels, pigmentation, and oil production (to name just a few), facilitating the selection of ideal winter skincare strategies.
HYDRATE AND NOURISH FROM WITHIN
Winter temperatures and indoor heating can lead to skin dehydration, underscoring the vital role of both external skincare and internal factors like diet. A holistic approach is needed, as relying solely on topical products may fall short. Adequate hydration, integral for skin elasticity and health, necessitates internal efforts through a well-balanced diet. To hydrate and nourish your skin from within, prioritize water intake for optimal hydration. Aim for at least eight glasses daily to maintain skin elasticity and moisture. Consume a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids to provide essential nutrients that promote skin health. Include foods like avocados, nuts, and fish. Limit processed and sugary foods, as they can contribute to skin dehydration. Additionally, prioritize sufficient sleep and manage stress to support overall skin well-being. Last but not least, let’s not forget that regular exercise improves blood circulation, enhancing nutrient delivery to skin cells.
Combining these habits fosters radiant, nourished skin from the inside out.
MOVE TO GENTLER CLEANSING AND EXFOLIATION
In winter, preserving the skin’s essential oils is vital for hydration and preventing dryness. By using a gentle cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping these oils, avoiding disruption to the skin barrier. Use mild, hydrating cleansers (such as ZO Skin Health’s Gentle Cleanser or Mesoestetic’s Hydracream Fusion) to retain natural moisture and foster a balanced complexion in colder months.
Exfoliation is also crucial in winter skincare it eliminates dead skin cells that can dull the complexion and hinder product absorption it also promotes skin renewal, unveiling a fresher, vibrant layer. Do not over-exfoliate though… We recommend 1-2 times a week, using gentle exfoliants like alpha or beta hydroxy acids (such as the QMS Active Exfoliant) for effective turnover without irritation. This approach ensures a radiant, nourished complexion throughout winter.
OPT FOR RICHER SKIN MOISTURISERS
Winter’s harsh conditions amplify skin dryness, underscoring the need for richer, nourishing moisturizers. Ingredients like shea butter, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides, fortify the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. Heavier moisturizers create a protective layer, maintaining suppleness in harsh weather.
It is very important when selecting a moisturizer that you remain aligned with your skin type, winter challenge, and planned treatments. Your skincare specialist should also tailor your recommendations based on your skin’s specific hydration needs as well as the ideal complementary products for the more intensive treatments you will undergo during winter.
This approach to winter moisturisers will ensure well-nourished, protected skin during colder months.
SHIELD YOUR SKIN FROM HARSHER WEATHER
Winter’s harsh elements, marked by cold winds and low humidity, demand protective measures for the skin. Cover up with scarves, hats, and gloves, safeguarding the face, neck, and hands from cold winds. You can also carry a hydrating facial mist to combat moisture loss in low-humidity environments and take caution against excessively hot water during cleansing to preserve natural oils.
Incorporating protective skincare products is crucial. These might include barrier creams with occlusive ingredients, antioxidant serums to combat environmental stressors, and products containing hyaluronic acid for sustained hydration.
One that is often overlooked in winter is sunscreen… The use of SPF is imperative for protection from UV rays, even in winter. Have you seen the incredible range of sunscreens offered by Heliocare?
Implementing these strategies can help ensure comprehensive skin care in challenging weather conditions.
PREPARE YOUR SKIN WITH SERUMS AND OILS
In winter, serums and oils can offer enhanced hydration and nourishment, which is exactly what we need during the colder months. Serums, with concentrated ingredients like hyaluronic acid, deeply penetrate skin layers, offering intense hydration. Nutrient-rich facial oils, such as jojoba or argan oil, create a protective barrier, sealing in moisture and supplying essential fatty acids for skin nourishment. These products effectively combat winter dryness, preventing flakiness or roughness.
Selecting serums and oils based on specific skin types and concerns is of great importance as it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, we might recommend hyaluronic acid for dry skin, calming ingredients like chamomile for sensitive skin, and non-comedogenic oils like tea tree oil for acne-prone skin.
Use serums in the morning for antioxidant protection and oils at night for overnight rejuvenation. Introduce these steps gradually and customize them based on your skin’s unique needs for a radiant and hydrated complexion.
PREPARE FOR INTENSIVE WINTER SKINCARE TREATMENTS
Unprepared skin risks reduced effectiveness, increased complications, and heightened discomfort during and after procedures, therefore skin preparation before intensive winter treatments is paramount for enhanced effectiveness, reduced risks, and optimized outcomes. Prepared skin maximizes treatment receptivity, ensuring active ingredients penetrate effectively for better results. Preparing skin for intensive winter treatments also minimises potential side effects and risks associated with them, fostering a safer, more comfortable experience.
It is of utmost importance to start preparation well in advance, a month or more before you start with more intensive winter skincare treatments, to ensure skin readiness. But what does this look like?
PREPARE WITH LESS INTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS
To prepare the skin for more invasive winter skincare treatments, consider less invasive options such as chemical peels, mesotherapy, and our signature 3D Bespoke. These less invasive procedures provide a foundation for winter skincare by improving skin quality, promoting hydration, and enhancing the effectiveness of subsequent, more intense treatments. Here is a sneak peek into each of them:
Fruit Acid Chemical Peels
Superficial Chemical Peels, using mild acids like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), gently exfoliate the skin’s outer layer. This preps the skin by removing dead cells, promoting a smoother texture, and enhancing the penetration of subsequent treatments.
Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy involves injecting a customized blend of vitamins, minerals, and hyaluronic acid into the skin. This less invasive treatment rejuvenates and hydrates, making it an ideal preparatory step for more intense winter skincare procedures.
Signature 3D Bespoke
The 3D Bespoke treatment is an advanced combination treatment that includes a chemical peel, superficial skin needling or mesotherapy, and Dermalux LED lights or a specialized iontophoresis mask, all customized for your skin concerns and conditions. This tailor-made treatment provides an instant post-treatment glow and requires no downtime. A popular treatment amongst all our patients!
These less invasive procedures provide a foundation for winter skincare by improving skin quality, promoting hydration, and enhancing the effectiveness of subsequent, more intense treatments.
Remember to always consult with a skincare professional to tailor these treatments to your specific needs and concerns.
MONITOR YOUR SKIN’S RESPONSE TO WINTER
It is important to take note of any changes in your skin as the seasons change, and then make the necessary adaptations to give your skin what it needs to remain healthy and radiant. Here is what to look out for:
Monitor Your Skin’s Reaction:
Sensations: Be aware of redness, itching, or dryness after trying new products or treatments.
Texture Changes: Watch for alterations like increased dryness or oiliness to assess your routine’s effectiveness.
Breakouts or Irritation: Keep an eye on unexpected issues, especially post-professional treatments, for informed adjustments.
When you do see changes in your skin, discuss them with your treatment specialist to get suitable advice on how to adapt your skincare regimen for optimal results.
Gradual Changes: Modify slowly, adjusting product frequency or trying different formulations.
Consult Professionals: Seek expert advice for personalized recommendations and potential routine modifications.
Seasonal Adaptations: Adjust your routine dynamically for winter, recognizing changing skincare needs.
This proactive approach ensures optimal skin health, especially during challenging winter months.
MAINTAIN SKIN HEALTH WITH A CONSISTENT ROUTINE ALONGSIDE PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS
A consistent skincare routine alongside professional winter treatments is vital for optimal skin health. Consistency enhances treatment efficacy by preparing the skin for interventions, ensuring maximum effectiveness. Regular skin care product use aimed at maintaining the skin barrier (as intended/recommended) also yields long-term benefits, fostering ongoing skin health and minimizing reliance on occasional professional interventions.
Amid winter’s hustle, cultivating regular habits contributes to resilient and healthy skin.
FINAL THOUGHTS IN WINTER SKINCARE PREPARATION
The challenges of cold weather and indoor heating, and the fight against dryness and sensitivity are real… If we want to remain radiant throughout the colder month is it essential to prioritize deep hydration using richer moisturizers, complemented by serums and oils addressing winter-specific issues. We should also preserve natural oils through gentle cleansing and promote skin renewal with exfoliation. When the real winter weather sets in, we must shield our skin from harsh weather elements like cold winds and low humidity, and consider protective skincare and consistent sunscreen use. We should also pay attention to what our skin is telling us by monitoring skin responses to new products and adjusting strategies based on these changes and subsequent professional advice.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Seeking expert advice from experienced skincare specialists ensures a tailored treatment plan leading to optimal outcomes in achieving healthier-looking and radiant skin, all year long.
Contact us to book your personalized consultation to kickstart your journey to your most beautiful skin ever.
by Senior Skincare Specialist, Louné Maree
