Top 3 Skincare Ingredients to “Winter Proof” Your Skin

I hear the same thing over and over from my clients this time of year. In fact, I usually start hearing this ONE main concern around the end of September or first of October, and it carries through all of the winter months, until spring rolls back around. Then, it seems like just as magically as this PROBLEM begins, it disappears again. Does this sound familiar to you……..

“I feel like my skin is just so DRY all of a sudden!” Now sometimes, I hear substitutes for the word DRY such as itchy, tight, flakey, or “everything I put on feels like it is burning!” If you can see or feel any of this going on with your skin, keep reading! I’ll fill you in on what is happening and more important, how to fix it!

My clients and I live in Southern Ohio, so this dry skin phenomenon happens in the fall and winter climates here. However, for any of our friends reading this that live in the mountains, or drier areas like a desert, you may experience this almost year round! The factor you will want to look at first, is “what is the humidity level where I am?” And the second question to ask is “What is the temperature going to be?” (This is also a great pointer if you are traveling somewhere that experiences a different climate or altitude than what your skin is accustomed to!)

 Let’s do a quick break down of how these 2 questions will affect your skin’s condition, regardless of your skin type!

HUMIDITY LEVELS in the environment mean how much water is in the air that your skin is being exposed to. Too much humidity (water) can create its own issues for your skin and hair. This post is about when there is not enough humidity (water) for a healthy skin barrier. When the air does not have enough water, your environment is setting the stage for dehydrated skin. Our body cannot make water on its own, that is something we have to put ON it or IN it. And it is important to note that our body is made up of 70% water. That means, our bodies can only properly work and do all of its amazing jobs if it is well hydrated!

TEMPERATURE  can affect how fast or slow this dehydration of our skin is going to happen! Let’s think about the difference in a steam room and a sauna. Both environments have a high/hot temperature. The Steam Room has lots of water (high humidity) while the sauna is a dry heat (low humidity). When I visit  a steam room or sauna on vacation or at the gym, I want to drink cold water while I am in those spaces. The cold drink feels refreshing in a steam room because I am simply hot. But if I visit a sauna, I cannot gulp down that cold water fast enough, because I am hot and crazy thirsty! That is how our skin is feeling in a hot, dry environment.

Can you think of some hot, dry environments where you live or are visiting?

Here in Ohio, during the fall and winter, my car is a very hot, dry environment for me personally. It is so cold walking to my car after work, I can’t wait until the heater is on full blast, angled right at my face! Even though I know how terrible it is for my skin and hair, it feels like the only thing to warm me up fast!

I like to keep that hot air blowing in my face, so what can I do to try and protect my skin and hair?

There are 3 special ingredients to have in your routine during the cold winter months, especially! Sometimes we can find these ingredients in only 1-2 products, too! And maybe, these ingredients are in our everyday skincare routine, but there are some ways that you can ensure they are working the best during these dry times of the year for you!

1.       Humectants

2.       Emollients

3.       Occlusives

What is a HUMECTANT? It is like a “water magnet” in your skin! It attracts water, to it, and will hold onto that water longer than your skin cells could do no their own. (But you still need the next couple of ingredients, so keep reading!) Now everyone thinks of Hyaluronic Acid as the gold standard to use as a Humectant, but it is not always the best for everyone. Some other amazing Humectants that you may not realize work like this are AHAs (specifically Lactic Acid), Sodium Hyaluronate, and Glycerin (one of my faves if you are acne prone!) There are many other Humectants available, and each one carries added benefits if you have additional skin conditions! Be sure to talk to your esthetician about which is best for you and your concerns!

What are EMOLLIENTS? If you want almost instantly smooth skin, you will be looking for an emollient! This ingredient can perform many tasks, but you will find its soothing ability, and then its ability to try and trap the water (from the humectants!) the best for your skin!  My favorite emollients are going to be in the lipid & ceramide family. Straight talk, these are going to be healthy fats and oils. (Now don’t panic on me if you are still making some oily shine through the day or are breakout prone! There are options that are not only safe for you to use, they can also be necessary for those same skin conditions!)

I don’t know about you, but when I hear occlusive, I think of 2 things: Petroleum Jelly or Diaper Rash Cream! (Is that just me? Message me with the first that comes to your mind! LOL!) I love occlusives, don’t get me wrong, but the thought of smearing diaper rash cream on my face? No thank you! I always felt this way about petroleum jelly also, until I learned that it is actually INERT and doesn’t clog pores?! (Yes I am telling the truth!) There are some amazing Occlusives in the skincare world that do not feel like you are diapering your face, though! Occlusives are the ultimate in trapping good ingredients in, while sometimes helping to keep “bad” ingredients/environmental factors out! Occlusive ingredients are also wonderful to use to protect new and fragile skin, after traumas, such as ablative procedures, chemical peels, or even just aggressive climates (I’m looking at you snow bunnies and avid runners!) There is definitely a time and a place to use these, especially while you are healing, so be sure to ask your doctor, nurse, and esthetician about this!

What are your thoughts on these 3 ingredients? Have you tried them layered together just perfectly yet? I know that you will see and feel a difference this winter if you are caring for your skin according to the climate!