Photo: @em_durs

Winter is the delightful season of hot cocoa, fugly Christmas sweaters, and of course, gigantic snowman structures. However, not all of us share the same happy feelings as winter approaches. Even the sweet promises of Santa Claus cannot change the dreadful feeling winter brings along with the skin dryness in winter. 

According to research, 60% of Americans experience a condition known as “winter skin syndrome” with symptoms like dry skin, inflammation, skin bumps, and increased skin sensitivity. A considerable number also confess to having a rash on their skin in winter, and it worsens upon contact with the fingers. 

Since winter is coming, Dermaclara offers the ultimate skincare tips (that even the House of Stark members swear by) to scale through the windy season and remain flawless. 

Why do we need a winter skincare routine? 

While the other three seasons embrace your skin with tender love and care, winter prepares your skin to experience the brittleness of a snowflake. The cold, dry air threatens to suck out all the moisture from your skin, potentially damaging your skin barrier and exposing you to future skin problems. To effectively combat the effects of winter, Dermaclara advises embracing good skincare practices to prevent dry skin during winter.

A winter skincare routine consists of a carefully curated list of dermatologically approved skin products that protect your skin against the cold air. It mainly hydrates, maintains skin moisture, and protects the skin barrier from drying out. A winter skincare routine isn't necessarily expensive; it should include products your dermatologist recommends. While some skincare routines target hyperpigmentation and texture improvement, winter routines prioritize maintaining moisture and enhancing hydration to prevent irritation.

What Are the Essential Steps in a Winter Skin Care Routine? 

As winter skin warriors, we should be armed to the teeth with hydrating products that can protect our skin against the harshest breeze. No strategy offers better protection against winter than a winter skincare routine. While there may be additional steps in some routines, here are the essential steps for your winter skincare:

Switch to a Calming Cleanser 

Cleansers are important skin care products that find their way into every skincare routine. Regardless of your goal regarding skin care, your cleansers will always be there with open arms. Cleanser plays the same role in winter skincare routine as it gets rid of dirt and dust. Cleansers are also infused with nutrients that can nourish and protect the skin after removing impurities. 

Dermaclara advises incorporating a calming cleanser into your winter skincare routine as it helps balance and cool oversensitive skin. Skin sensitivity is a common issue during winter as the body reacts to the freezing temperature. So, ensure it is also free from dangerous chemicals and oil-stripping materials like phthalate and alcohol. 

Exfoliation

Contrary to many opinions, you should include exfoliation in your winter skincare routine. Exfoliating your already-irritated skin during winter might seem like a terrible option, but here's why you should do so. Exfoliation removes dead skin and allows your skin products to penetrate better. Since exfoliating during winter is entirely different from other seasons, you should take extreme caution while doing so. 

During summer, the weather permits you to exfoliate two to three times a week with either physical exfoliants (like sugar and oatmeal scrubs) or chemical exfoliants (AHA and BHA peels). However, exfoliating during winter should be done sparingly with a safe chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid and lactic acid, as they are much safer than physical exfoliants. 

Moisturize right after washing 

Apply a moisturizer immediately after washing your face to prevent further skin dryness. Unlike summer, where the weather permits you to air dry your face before applying a moisturizer, winter saps out any moisture on your skin, so ensure you use a clean, dry towel to dry your face before moisturizing. 

For an all-around moisturizing effect that lasts throughout the day, choose moisturizers that contain humectants. These components ensure hydration and protect you against the cold, dry wind. If you happen to be allergic to natural humectants like honey or gelatin, Dermaclara's Clarasome Hyaluronic acid moisturizer is the best moisturizer for winter. It provides intense moisturizing effects by drawing in moisture from the environment. It is dermatologically approved and perfect for all skin types.

Use a Humidifier to Keep Skin Moisturize 

During winter, the air moisture level can be as low as 10%, while the average moisture content for maintaining healthy skin is around 30-60%. Like temperature, humidity is important to the skin as it ensures hydration and keeps the skin younger. It is particularly essential for people with dry or combination skin, as iron prevents the skin from drying out.

Invest in a humidifier to maintain optimal moisture content in your environment. A humidifier supplies humidity by pulling moisture back into the air, reducing the chances of skin dehydration. They can also improve itchy skin and soothe cracked and irritated skin barriers. Luckily, humidifiers come in different sizes, and some can be carried around conveniently.

Use a Hydrating Face Mask

Every skincare guru understands the benefits of a hydrating face mask during winter as it promotes skin hydration. In addition to your moisturizer, use a hydrating face mask to remove dirt and impurities from your skin and prevent skin aging. Many of these face masks are infused with oils and components that revitalize the skin and stimulate blood circulation. 

You can use a hydrating face mask twice a week for better results or once if you are faced with a tight schedule. Ensure you start with a freshly washed face and massage the masks deep into your pores. Wait for at least 30 minutes to ensure the oils penetrate deeply, wash your face with clean water and follow up with your other skin regimen.