December is the month of holiday cheer, snowflakes, and.. dry skin?! Sigh. It’s sad, but it’s oh so true that colder weather directly impacts our skin, often leaving it more dry and sensitive. However, preparing for the colder weather, actively working to prevent dry skin, and changing up your routine can bring big results that will have people thinking, Wow. Her skin is as soft and buttery as grandma’s cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning! Okay, kidding, but wouldn’t it be nice to have great skin all year long? Well, let’s break down some essential steps that you can take during December to keep your skin healthy and happy.
December Skincare Essentials
Avoid too much heat
When it gets cold out, we tend to crank up the heat: our homes, sitting by fires, hot showers, steam rooms, saunas, the list goes on. However, these hot environments can actually dry out your skin and can cause even more issues when your skin is already suffering in the winter months. I’m not saying that you cannot take a hot shower or jump in a sauna every now and then, but limit your time around these heat exposures if possible!
Bump up the Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid is like a big drink of water for your skin! So as you can imagine, this is super helpful during the winter as it attracts water to the skin and helps it stay hydrated for longer! Hyaluronic Acid sounds like a scary acid that is found in a peel or a really active skincare product, but it is actually extremely gentle and soothing! Products that contain HA include: HA Collagen Boosting Cream, Liquid Filler Serum, Chlorophyll Correction Serum, and Collagen Eye Masks.
Load up on night cream
Night creams contain ceramides, which are fatty acids that hold in moisture and keep the skin hydrated and happy. They are thicker in consistency and help especially with dry skin, leaving it more smooth and buttery. An added bonus: night creams are also anti-aging as well! Our new Restorative Night Cream is perfect for everyone to add in during December, when the skin needs extra love and hydration while focusing on anti-aging. If your skin is irritated, red, or sensitive from the cold weather, consider using the Intensive Nourishing Cream which gently hydrates and restores the skin barrier, while bringing down redness, irritation, and inflammation.
Incorporate soothing skincare
Think: skincare that restores, replenishes, and calms the skin. Hydrating masks, calming serums, gentle cleansers, and anti-inflammatory ingredients (like green tea!) are going to be your best friend. When the weather becomes colder, our skin becomes more sensitive and red and temperamental. So the best thing you can do is lather on healing and nourishing products that can keep the skin feeling soothed and restored. Some of our favorite soothing skincare products include our Chlorophyll Correction Serum and our Intensive Nourishing Cream.
Lay off the acids and retinol
During the winter months, you will notice that you may get more flaky and dry from retinol products such as our Retinol pads. This is totally normal and the best thing to do is listen to what your skin is telling you, and back off the retinol. I assure you, you will not see “less” of a result by backing off. If anything, your skin will look better as it won’t be aggravated! Acids such as AHAs and BHAs can also make the skin more dry during winter months, so backing off of those can be beneficial as well. If you use Exfoliating pads or a cleanser with Salicylic acid (Like our Oil Control Cleanser), you may want to adjust how frequently you use them.
Protect your skin when outdoors
If you are outdoors while it is cold out, make sure you are wearing proper protective gear, such as coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots. For your face, wear a neck gaiter or a thermal face cover. It is especially important to protect your delicate facial skin from the physical cold as this can damage your barrier, creating inflammation and irritation.
While dry skin is common during the winter, you don’t have to suffer from it this holiday season! Just ensure that you are taking the right steps by removing products that may irritate your skin and replenish your barrier with products that will keep your skin healthy and happy!