Essential Tips For Winter Skin Routine

All we’ve ever asked for is a drop in the temperature. What we didn’t account for are the cold-hearted atrocities that come with it. It pushes your skin (and psyche) to a breaking point. The truth is, you can’t have the whistling winds swipe out your year-long, anti-ageing hard work. So, put the chill on face mists, de-tanning packs, and featherlight formula and transition to richer, heavy-duty winter essentials. Tackle every complex beauty concern with these remedies, ’cause baby, it’s cold outside.

Now, making a transition to winter-ready skin care is not enough, you need formulations that will suit your skin type. If you have dry skin, it will only get aggravated during the season as the temperature drops and so does the humidity. So, make sure you care for your skin but the right way. Before you create a winter skin routine, let’s first identify your skin type so you can manage your skin concerns better.

How To Identify Skin Type

Before we help you build a winter skin routine, it is important to understand your skin type, especially if you have dry skin, because a winter skincare routine for dry skin is completely different from other skin types. There are two methods to identify your skin type:

Observation Method:

This is a no-effort method to identify your skin type since you just need to wait and see how the atmosphere reacts to your skin. Once you have taken a shower, don’t apply any creams or moisturisers and simply wait for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes if your skin starts appearing oily around the T-zone and not anywhere else then you have a combination skin type, if you have open pores and oily skin on your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead then you have oily skin, and if your skin appears dry and flaky even after 20 minutes you have dry skin. If you start seeing white patches and flaky skin then chances are you have dry and sensitive skin.

Blotting Method:

This one might be a little more satisfying and precise than the observation method. Once you have showered and waited for 20 minutes, use a blotting paper to see if any of the oil gets absorbed, if the paper turns translucent then you have oily skin and if the paper remains unchanged then you have dry skin. If only your T-zone is oily then you have combination skin.

Step-By-Step Winter Skincare Routine

Here are fool-proof CSMS winter skin care tips and routines for all winter skin problems, according to your skin type.

Dry Skin

Build a simple dry skin care routine in winter with a CSMS routine that gently hydrates, preserves your skin barrier, and reduces the appearance of flakiness and dark spots. Here’s our recommendation of which products would suit your dry skin.

Cleanser

This gentle, water-based cleanser from Cetaphil is infused with niacinamide, panthenol, and hydrating glycerin to improve your skin’s moisture barrier and water retention levels and soothe skin. It’s creamy yet non-foaming and allows your skin to rehydrate without being harsh.

Serum

The L'Oreal Paris Revitalift serum is the best addition to your skincare routine for dry skin in winter. It is created by dermatologists to re-plump your skin within an hour of use thus reducing 60% of the fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness. Made with micro hyaluronic acid particles, this formula penetrates deeper into your skin to add moisture to the outer layer of the epidermis for fast and efficient results.

Moisturiser

The CeraVe Moisturising Cream is a game-changer for people with dry skin during the winter. The three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin mimic your skin’s natural barrier and protect it from within. It restores the protective layer of your skin while adding a boost of hydration. It’s non-comedogenic and non-fragrant making it suitable for sensitive skin types too.

Sunscreen

People often think of sunscreens as summer essentials, but the UV rays are just as harmful during the winter season and The Derma Co Sunscreen with SPF 50 PA++++ is ideal for dry skin types. It has the goodness of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and five UV filters that hydrate the skin and reduce sun damage while offering broad-spectrum protection.

Combination Skin

Some parts of your skin may appear dry while others are oily, you need products that hydrate dull and dehydrated skin and control excess sebum from your T-zone. We recommend the following CSMS routine if you have combination skin for the winter.

Cleanser

This cleanser from Sebamed is a gentle yet deep cleanser that not only hydrates but also balances the pH of your skin. The Montaline C40 kills all the pimple-causing bacteria while the panthenol repairs moisture barrier making this formulation perfect for combination skin.

Serum

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is one of the brand’s hero products for all the right reasons, the high concentration of niacinamide is perfect to reinforce skin barrier integrity over time. The 1% zinc also helps acne-prone skin which is common with the combination skin type.

Moisturiser

TheNeutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturiser offers the perfect balance of hydration and oil control. The hyaluronic acid attracts and locks in moisture, the essential amino acids help to strengthen the skin barrier, and the electrolytes boost ingredient absorption.

Sunscreen

The gel-like consistency of Dr. Sheth's Centella & Niacinamide Sunscreen is perfect for combination skin because the Centella extract soothes irritated skin during winter and the niacinamide controls oil and acne. It offers broad-spectrum UV protection, ideal for the winter sun rays.

Oily Skin

Oily skin also requires hydration and care during the winter season even if it doesn’t experience dryness like other skin types. When oily skin is not well moisturised the oil glands produce excess oil and sebum to maintain hydration leading to acne breakouts and pimples.

Cleanser

This Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid + LHA Face Cleanser removes excess oil, sebum, dirt, pollution, and other contaminants. It provides deep cleansing and hydrates the skin simultaneously.

Serum

The Plum 2% Salicylic Acid Face Serum ris made with salicylic acid, chlorophyll, pear extract, and blueberry extract to fight acne, control oil, and even out skin texture. It also unclogs and minimises pores leaving your skin soft and plump.

Moisturiser

Oily skin needs a moisturiser that is oil-free, non-comedogenic, and super lightweight. The Ponds Super Light Gel Moisturiser is perfect for oily skin during winter because it offers hydration for up to 48 hours and is non-sticky, light, cooling, and non-oily infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.

Sunscreen

The Aqualogica Glow+ Dewy Sunscreen is a lightweight, glow-boosting, dewy, and non-sticky sunscreen that offers complete sun protection. The papaya extract, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E offer lightweight protection with zero white casts.

Parting Thoughts

Create a winter skin routine that works for your skin type to avoid dullness, dryness, irritation, and excess oil. Contrary to popular belief, dry skin is not the only skin type that needs care during dry, cold, and arid weather, in fact, other skin types such as oily, combination, and sensitive skin all need ample hydration and nourishment to stop them from breaking out during the winter.

FAQs

1. What’s a winter skincare routine for dry skin?

   A winter skin routine for dry skin should include a cleanser, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen that aims at hydrating the skin while keeping dullness, dryness, and flaky skin at bay.

2. If I have oily skin, do I need to moisturise in winter?

   Yes, even if you have oily skin, you need to moisturise during winter because if your skin is not well hydrated, your oil glands will produce excess sebum to compensate for the moisture loss leading to greasiness and breakouts.

3. How to protect the skin during winter?

   Make sure to hydrate your skin every four hours with a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser. Avoid very hot showers as they can strip your skin with their natural oils. Exfoliate your skin once a week to improve your skin barrier and promote cell regeneration.

4. What is the ideal winter skincare routine?

   The ideal skincare routine for winter is a CSMS routine that focuses on lightweight hydration to protect your skin from dullness, dryness, and irritation.

5. What are some good moisturisers for winter?

   Here are some good moisturisers for winter according to skin type:

   • Dry Skin - Cetaphil Moisturising Cream
   • Oily Skin - Plum 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Moisturiser
   • Combination Skin - Dot & Key Vitamin C + E Moisturiser
   • Sensitive Skin - d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser