7 TIPS FOR WINTER SKIN CARE
Looking to level up your winter skincare? Then there are other things you need to pay attention to. Looking for solace in a favorite facial oil or moisturizer may seem like the only response (and they can be helpful, but more on that later), but there is so much more you can and should do to strive for proper form with dry, flaky skin. If you don’t want to let your skin suffer due to the falling temperatures, read the seven valuable rules for skin care during the winter months. You will soon get used to it.
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STRENGTHEN YOUR SKIN BARRIER
As we enter the winter season, our skin is exposed to changes in temperature and humidity, as well as wind and rain, which can put our delicate skin barrier under tension. This is a great time to rethink your skincare routine as you battle environmental tensions. The main indicators of disruption of the skin barrier are taut, irritated, itchy and dehydrated skin.
Even during the less volatile months, our skin barrier is subject to degradation. Overuse of skin care products and external aggressors such as pollution can affect it, but it is especially valuable to look after it carefully. You can try skin care products that contain ingredients like niacinamide, which increases ceramide production in the skin, fights anti-inflammatory and systemless pigmentation, as well as stronger creams that lock in ceramides themselves, lipids and moisture.
LA ROCHE-POSAY; Cicaplast Baume B5 Repairing Balm SPF 50; laroche-posay.com.tr
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SET YOUR NIGHT ROUTINE
At night, our skin goes into repair and regeneration mode, so it’s invaluable to keep your evening skincare routine under control. You can look for polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) in your skin care products, as they are the gentler cousins of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). And then we recommend cleaning with a non-drying acid cleaner.
After retinol, you can replace retinol with peptides, the second most proven ingredient when it comes to skin health and regeneration, and then apply a ceramide-strength moisturizer to protect the skin.
However, we do have a caveat about retinol; Although you may assume that winter is the best time to start using it, skin is prone to being irritated and dry already during the colder months. That’s why it’s important to be careful. It may take several weeks for the skin to get used to the use of retinol. It’s common to experience some dryness and redness, so if your skin is actually like this in winter, the combination of the two can be unbearable and difficult to deal with. Our advice is not to go too far. Those who are already using retinol can continue as usual.
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DO NOT OVERPEEL
When your skin is flaking, sometimes it feels like the only way is to exfoliate them. In fact, this can further disrupt the skin barrier, leading to more skin problems. You can reduce the peeling frequency to once or twice a week. And avoid combining physical exfoliants, such as grainy peels, with chemical exfoliants such as alpha or beta hydroxy acids, as this can cause redness and irritation, especially if you are using a retinoid product. Do not overdo it in your skin care. Less (and soft) is more.
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USE ANTIOXIDANTS
One of the biggest challenges for our skin in winter is the constant changes in temperature; Moving from the heat to the cold outside causes damage to our skin. Spending time indoors with less fresh air can also cause problems.
Recycled air has more toxins in it, and central heating removes water from the atmosphere, which in turn draws water away from the skin. To support healthy skin, you can have an air purifier in the room where you spend the most time.
Antioxidant-powered skincare is also valuable, as it helps protect the skin against micro-toxins caused by recycled air, as well as those caused by pollution, UV and blue light damage. Look for ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, and niacinamide.
DYSON; Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde Air Purifier with Heating Feature; 15,499 TL; dyson.com.tr
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AVOID OILS IF YOU HAVE OILY SKIN
Don’t think that the colder months mean you have to replace your favorite moisturizers with facial oils. While drier skin types may benefit, oilier ones should stay away.
We recommend facial oils for those with mostly dry skin, as oils tend to sit on the skin’s surface and prevent further moisture loss. Additionally, another moisturizer can also help reach the deeper layers of the skin. Do not choose oils for oily or acne-prone skin, as they can trigger acne by causing more congestion. Those with oily skin should instead stick to non-comedogenic formulas that contain ingredients like dimethicone, ceramides or hyaluronic acid.
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HEAVY IS NOT SUITABLE
As with oils, thick and heavy formulas have their place in some skincare routines, but they are not always best suited for the skin. Thick, nourishing balm cleansers are a great way to pamper the skin a little, but they certainly don’t moisturize the skin. If you apply too many heavy artifacts to the surface, your skin’s sensors read it as not requiring true hydration, so they won’t absorb the needed water into the deeper layers of the skin.
After a while, the deeper layers become lazy and unhealthy, which eventually means more dryness and more irritation in the upper layers. To fix this, look to moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalene and then use proper moisturizer. The best way to hydrate your skin is from within, so drink plenty of water.
THE INKEY LIST; Hyaluronic Acid Serum; 189 TL; sephora.com.tr
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VITAMIN D CAN HELP
Taking vitamin D supplements in the winter can help. Aside from the colder months when the days are shorter and darker, most of us don’t get enough vitamin D throughout the year. This vitamin is also valuable for our skin. Vitamin D is key to the skin’s defenses. Inflammatory conditions such as acne, rosacea, and eczema are often exacerbated by vitamin D deficiency. On top of that, its deficiency can negatively affect our mood, causing further hormonal imbalance. This means that our skin is much more likely to misbehave.