according to a skin expert

If you struggle to keep your skin glowing in the winter, you aren’t alone! The past week in Colorado has brought temps in the negatives, which has led to a lot of last-minute facial bookings - it’s clear your moisture barrier might be sending out a distress signal. Whether you’re able to visit the clinic for some last minute support or not, here are my top tips to help dry winter skin:

1. FACIALS

This may be an obvious option considering my intro, but if you haven’t stepped into the world of facials yet it’s worth explaining the benefits! Facials are not just for relaxation and pampering, they are functional treatments that help repair your moisture barrier, lower inflammation, and stimulate circulation. In the dead of winter when humidity and temps are low, the skin takes the brunt of the damage - and it can be a hard battle to fight on your own. If you’re confident that your skincare routine is top tier and you still struggle with dryness & inflammation in winter, it may be time to consider placing your concerns in expert hands.

2. NUTRITION

Did you know that adding more nutrient-dense, whole foods to your diet can support your skin’s hydration levels? It’s true! Foods rich in Vitamins A, E, and C can significantly improve skin health, while eating more omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can repair your skin barrier from the inside out. While topical interventions are also helpful for winter skin, your skin is an organ that can be significantly supported internally too.

3. INCORPORATE HEALING OILS

If your skincare routine is oil-free, it may be time to rethink the lineup. Regardless of your skin concerns, your skin produces and needs oil (yes, this applies acne too). Oil is not only an incredibly effective delivery system for healing ingredients, but it also softens, moisturizes, and lowers inflammation in the skin. If Oil Cleansing isn’t your speed (yet… we’ll convert you one day) try out our Vitamin C Oil!

4. AVOID EXTREME TEMPS ON THE SKIN

A hot shower might sound like a dream come true when the temps outside don’t inch above freezing, but the truth is this: exposing your skin to extreme hot or cold when cleansing isn’t doing you any favors. Cleansing or showering with very hot water will compromise the skin barrier, break apart your natural oils, and can exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions. Swap to warm water and your skin will thank you!

5. DRY JANUARY WINTER

LOVE the culture of exploring the sober-curious lifestyle, and if you want another excuse to step away from the booze here it is! Alcohol not only causes premature aging and increases systemic inflammation, it also dries your skin out. By acting as a diuretic and bladder irritant, alcohol causes dehydration - but it goes deeper than that! Drinking even a moderate amount of alcohol will inhibit oil production in the skin, impairs nutrient absorption, and compromises the skin barrier.

6. ADD SOME MORE OOMPH

Think of your skin like a sponge cleaning up a spill. When you try to clean up using a bone-dry sponge, it mostly pushes the liquid around. Yet when you dampen the sponge, it’s capacity for absorbing moisture is much better!

When you add a hydrating mist (or even water!) to your skin prior to applying moisturizer, your skin will be better at absorbing the product. Especially when working with humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, you want to make sure your skin fosters a water-rich environment that the humectant ingredient can hold onto.

7. DON’T OVERDO THE EXFOLIATION

Struggling with flaky skin? You might have the urge to run to the scrub or chemical exfoliant. Trust me when I say that this will not do what you think it will. While professional exfoliation treatments like Dermaplane can be helpful, overusing exfoliants at home will just lead to more dryness. This is because your skin barrier is already compromised (hence the flakiness). The best thing you can do is keep exfoliation to the treatment room no more than once per month, and focus on repair at home.

8. SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY

If you have a routine that works - stick with it. If your routine isn’t working for you - start slow. This applies to every season, but especially in winter. Constantly flipping the script and exposing your skin to too many product changes will only lead to more sensitivity and further compromise your skin barrier. A super simple formula is gentle cleanser + rich moisturizer + mineral SPF. Need a more customized recommendation? Book a free consultation!

Winter can be harsh - but it doesn’t have to be for your skin. If you’re struggling to keep your skin glowing this season, it’s time to work with an expert!