Simple But Effective Ways To Give Your Skin A Healthy Glow During The Winter Months

The cold winter months can really take a toll on your skin. Between icy winds outside and dry indoor heating, keeping your complexion looking dewy and vibrant is an uphill battle. However, with some simple tips and tricks, you can maintain a gorgeous glow all season long. From hydrating to exfoliating and everything in between, we have your ultimate winter skincare guide covered. So bundle up, pour yourself some hot cocoa, and get ready to start glowing!

Use A Humidifier At Night

One of the biggest reasons winter is so harsh on skin is low moisture levels. Frigid temperatures and dry indoor heat sap moisture from the air and in turn, strip it from your skin as well. Using a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom at night can help restore some of that hydration as you sleep. The boosted moisture will also soften your complexion and keep fine lines from worsening due to dehydration. Just make sure to clean your humidifier regularly to prevent mould.

Cleanse Gently

When it comes to cleansing your face during winter, go gentle. Harsh foaming cleansers can be too drying. Instead, look for creamy, milky, or oil-based cleansers that will hydrate as they cleanse. You can even use a hydrating micellar water if you prefer something lighter. The idea is to clean dirt, makeup, and excess oil away without totally stripping your skin in the process. Your skin barrier (and your glow) will thank you!

Exfoliate Strategically

You’ve likely heard that you should exfoliate anywhere from twice a week to once a day for glowing skin. However, that advice changes during the winter. Exfoliating daily with harsh scrubs could irritate skin that’s already dry and sensitive from the cold. Instead, scale back to exfoliating just one or two times per week. Look for gentle options with jojoba beads, lactic acid, or fruit enzymes if possible. And focus only on problem spots rather than exfoliating your entire face if skin feels super parched.

Hydrate From The Inside Out

What you put into your body is just as important as what you put on it when it comes to your winter glow. Hydrating properly by drinking plenty of water ensures your skin gets the moisture it requires. Herbal teas, broth-based soups, fruits, and vegetables also encourage hydration. Some research even suggests ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen supplements can promote hydration for brighter, more supple skin. So, drink up and glow on!

Apply Face Oils Strategically

Traditional moisturisers tend to rely heavily on humectants like glycerine to deliver hydration. And while effective, humectants can actually draw moisture from the environment and your skin over time. That’s why in extreme cold and low humidity, straight oils make better hydrators. Look for options rich in emollient lipids that reinforce your skin barrier like jojoba, rosehip seed, argan, and vitamin E oils. Apply them before heavier creams to seal in moisture. Just don’t rely solely on oils, as creams still provide important ingredients.

Sleep On Silk Pillowcases

Rough cotton pillowcases can tug on delicate facial skin and hair overnight leading to wrinkles and breakage over time. To avoid this, invest in smooth mulberry silk or satin pillowcases instead. The smoother surface glides over your hair and skin, avoiding pull and friction. This prevents fine lines upon waking and keeps both your skin and hair looking healthy.

Apply An Essence

An essence is an extremely lightweight, hydrating treatment perfect for getting your winter glow back. Typically made from fermented botanical ingredients and hyaluronic acid, essences provide a big dose of hydration and nutrition to restore suppleness and radiance. Apply your essence immediately after cleansing while skin is still slightly damp. This allows the water-based formula to penetrate optimally so it really quenches skin before following up with heavier creams.

Mask Strategically

While sheet masks might seem like an easy shortcut to glowy skin, they can sometimes cause more harm than good in the winter. The serum can evaporate quickly in dry air before fully penetrating. And removing the mask tugs at delicate skin. For a more strategic approach, opt for wash-off cream, gel, or sleeping masks instead.

Look for overnight formulas with shea butter, glycerine, ceramides, and oils that hydrate while strengthening the skin barrier as you sleep. For an intensive hydration boost, apply a cream mask for 15-20 minutes once or twice a week as well. Slowly massage it in rather than rinsing completely so some of the humectants remain on skin. This gives your complexion the moisture it’s been craving all winter long!

Quit Smoking for Healthier Skin

One lesser-known skincare tip for achieving a gorgeous glow is quitting smoking. Smoking cigarettes lead to accelerated skin ageing and wrinkles over time. The carcinogens and free radicals in cigarette smoke also damage skin cell DNA contributing to dullness and uneven tone.

Switching to vaping products and vape juices lets you avoid this skin damage while still enjoying nicotine. The improved skin often starts soon after quitting traditional tobacco cigarettes, so kick the habit for winter glow that keeps shining for years to come!

Adjust Your Routine Based On Skin Type

Those with oily and acne-prone skin often assume they don’t need rich moisturisers in winter. But skipping your cream could make things worse by disrupting your skin’s protective barrier. Just opt for oil-free gel moisturisers if heavy creams feel too comedogenic. You can apply a clay mask once a week to prevent congestion as well.

For those with dry and mature skin, layering light hydrating essences under richer creams and facial oils is key for a winter glow. Retinoids and vitamin C serums should be applied with caution and sandwiched between two moisturisers to avoid irritation and flaking. Customising your routine for your skin’s needs prevents overdoing any one step leading to issues.

Apply Sunscreen (Yes, Winter Too!)

It might seem silly to apply sunscreen when sunshine is so scarce during winter, but UV rays still penetrate clouds and bounce off snow. Without adequate protection, this can result in accelerated skin aging and hyperpigmentation issues over time. Look for moisturisers with at least SPF 30 and apply it to any exposed skin – your future glow will thank you! Reapply every few hours if spending extended time outdoors.

Eat More Vitamin C

It’s not just products you put on your skin that can give you a healthy winter glow – it’s also key to nourish your skin from the inside too. Loading up on foods rich in vitamin C is crucial for promoting radiance during the cold months. Vitamin C helps build collagen, fights inflammation and skin damage, and works synergistically with sunscreen to guard your skin.

Some delicious vitamin C-rich foods to incorporate more of include citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, kale, potatoes, tomatoes, and kiwi. Whether munching on crunchy oranges and red peppers or sipping on an emerald green kale smoothie, getting more vitamin C in your diet bolsters immunity and brings back brightness.

Adjust Your Climate Control

Indoor heating combined with cold winter temperatures outdoors creates the perfect storm for dull, flaky, lacklustre skin. But with some adjustments to your home climate control, you can find a better balance. Use a humidifier and keep it around 40-50% humidity. This prevents overly dry air from pulling moisture from your skin. Also, refrain from cranking your thermostat too high. Stick to about 68-70 ̊ Fahrenheit max. The hotter the indoor temp, the more moisture gets sucked from your skin. With some tweaks, your indoor climate won’t totally sabotage your skincare routine’s hard work!

Final Thoughts

Achieving a healthy, radiant winter glow is possible, even when it seems everything is working against you. Harsh weather, indoor heat, and decreased sunlight all team up to dull your complexion. But with some smart skincare strategies like gentle cleansing, strategic exfoliating, moisture-sealing oils, and skin-plumping vitamin C, you can fake a summery luminosity all winter long. Don’t let the plummeting temperatures deter you from glowing gorgeously.