Winter Skin Care: Expert Tips from Dermatologists, Cosmetologists, and Makeup Artists

During winter, our skin faces harsh environmental factors such as freezing temperatures, strong winds, and dry indoor air from heating systems. These elements make our skin more vulnerable, leading to dryness, tightness, irritation, and flaking. Proper skincare and makeup routines can help combat these issues. Here, a dermatologist, cosmetologist, and makeup artist share their expert advice on winter skin care.

How to Choose the Right Winter Cream

Firstly, listen to your skin’s needs. Secondly, determine your skin type. Thirdly, focus on the factors that most affect your skin during winter.

Based on these points, here are some general recommendations for choosing a winter cream: it should suit your skin type and meet its specific needs during the colder months. Let’s delve deeper into this topic.

Special Recommendations for Winter Skin Care by Skin Type

Those with dry skin can use creams designed for people with atopic dermatitis during winter. These creams not only moisturize but also help restore the epidermal barrier after exposure to harsh environmental factors. Additionally, don’t neglect serums and various moisturizing emulsions during this period. They enhance the cream’s effects and enrich the skin with nutrients and vitamins.

For those with normal, oily, or combination skin, switching from light gel textures to moisturizing creams is advisable. Well-moisturized skin can effectively resist harsh environmental factors.

During winter, you can also introduce creams with alpha and beta hydroxy acids into your daily routine. These cosmetic products are excellent for preventing acne in those with oily and combination skin. For dry skin, they stimulate the production of components that are part of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor, which plays a role in the protective barrier. Moreover, hydroxy acids in creams help reduce and prevent pigmentation and post-acne spots.

Starting in February, as daylight hours increase and the winter sun becomes more active, it’s essential to consider SPF protection in your cream.

How Long Before Going Outdoors Should You Apply Cream?

Apply your day cream 15–20 minutes before going outside. Pay special attention to this recommendation on days when the temperature drops to 15 degrees or lower. In such cases, it’s best to use a thick cream (even a night cream). For temperatures around freezing, a regular day cream that you’ve chosen for this period will suffice.

You can check the cream’s composition and learn about each component’s purpose on the website cosdna.com in the “Cosmetic Analysis” section.

Which Cosmetology Procedures Should You Consider in Winter?

Winter is an excellent time for procedures because the sun is less active, allowing for various aggressive cosmetology treatments such as medium peels and laser resurfacing. An intensive course of these procedures during this period can significantly improve skin quality and keep it beautiful for an entire year.

During winter, those with oily and combination skin should pay special attention to home peels with hydroxy acids. You can do this peel once every 5–7 days, followed by a mask. Unlike the warmer months, when it’s better to focus on sebum-regulating masks, in winter, it’s best to alternate them with moisturizing masks based on hydrogel or fabric.

Those with dry and sensitive skin should intensify skin hydration and use moisturizing and regenerative masks 2 times a week or even daily if necessary.

At home, you can help your skin with nourishing masks, either store-bought or made from ingredients you have on hand (such as oatmeal, honey, milk, cottage cheese, olive oil, or even persimmon—a delicious autumn-winter treat). However, always conduct an allergy test on a small skin area beforehand.

Unfortunately, during the heating season, skin becomes extremely dry, leading to tightness and dryness. The skin’s color may turn grayish or develop an unhealthy reddish tint, and couperosis may appear. Therefore, winter skin care must include constant nourishment and hydration!

Winter Skin Care Routine

In winter, you can remove makeup with micellar water, but you should always follow up with a facial cleanser (foam, gel, or milk). Opt for gentle and delicate products, such as gel or foam for sensitive skin. These products suit almost all skin types and help prevent dryness.

Next, apply a toner to restore the skin’s pH balance, relieve tightness after cleansing, and remove any remaining cleanser. Only then should you apply your cream.

Professional Facial Treatments

Professional winter skin care includes:

Skincare procedures focused on hydration and nourishment;
Biorevitalization;
Procedures aimed at restoring the lipid layer, such as active serums based on hyaluronic acid.

Proper Nutrition

Nutrition significantly impacts winter skin care, as beauty comes from within. Exclude dehydrating and toxic products from your diet (such as smoked foods, canned goods, alcohol, caffeine, fried, and fatty foods). Instead, include the following:

Fatty fish rich in omega-3;
Natural cocoa and dark chocolate (with at least 65% cocoa);
Carrots, rich in vitamin A;
Berries, fruits, and nuts;
Fermented dairy products (they normalize the digestive system, and poor digestive health immediately reflects on facial skin).

Tip: Additionally, you can help your skin in winter with this simple “trio”: a bottle of thermal water on your desk + a spray bottle + a proper drinking regimen. Another excellent solution is a humidifier.

During the heating season, when skin is particularly dry, hydrate it not only externally but also internally by drinking plenty of still water. This helps restore the body’s water balance and improve skin condition.

Dry indoor air from heating can make even oily skin drier, so pay special attention to makeup preparation during this period, as skin is prone to various irritations and flaking. Here are some essential tips:

Before applying foundation or powder, always use a moisturizing face cream suitable for your skin type. You can complement it with a moisturizing serum (for dry and flaky skin);
Apply Carmex balm to your lips 15 minutes before applying lipstick or gloss;
Instead of powder, use a moisturizing foundation. Avoid matte foundations. A BB cream is also an excellent option for winter;
Wash your face with filtered water instead of tap water in winter—chlorine and other impurities used to clean water can further dry out the skin.

Take proper care of your face during winter, and you’ll greet spring with beautiful, healthy skin!