In brief
- Cold air outdoors and the heating indoors both draw moisture out of your skin. The back and forth between the two is the hardest on it.
- In the cold your skin makes less sebum, and that is the very layer that holds moisture in. That is why your skin feels tight as soon as you come indoors.
- Adjust your skincare: a richer cream, gentler cleansing and fewer acids. The number of products stays the same.
- Even in January, sun protection belongs in your routine.
Written by Nilay, owner and beauty therapist at Moons BeautyUpdated on
Why your skin behaves differently from October.
As soon as it drops below about ten degrees outside, your skin makes less sebum. That thin layer of oil is exactly what holds moisture in. When there is less of it, more water evaporates from your skin than you put back. You usually feel it first around your nose and on your cheeks: your skin is tight and rough, sometimes with fine flakes that you only see when you put on make-up.
Indoors it is the other way round. Heated air is warm and dry, and draws moisture out of everything in the room, including you. If you then walk from a cold street into a warm shop and back outside, your skin swings back and forth all day. That is what people mean when they say their skin is out of sorts in winter.
For some people it goes no further than a feeling of tightness. For others there is redness as well, especially on the cheeks and the nose, because the tiny blood vessels open and close more quickly when the temperature changes. If that bothers you all year round, it is probably more to do with sensitive skin than with the season.
Four things to change now.
You don't have to overhaul your whole bathroom cabinet. In practice these four changes make the most difference.
A richer cream, especially in the evening
What felt pleasantly light in July is too thin in January. Choose something richer, at least for the evening. If you have oily skin it doesn't have to be heavier, as long as it seals moisture in better.
Cleanse more gently
Warm water and a foaming cleanser remove exactly that little bit of oil that you need now. Cleanse with lukewarm water and choose something gentler. If your skin feels squeaky clean after washing, your cleanser is too strong.
Go easier on acids and retinol
If you were using them twice a week, stick to that or cut back to once. Your skin barrier is already having a harder time now, and this is when people most often overdo it.
Protect the extremities
Your lips, ears and hands take the full brunt of the cold and get the least care. A lip balm and a hand cream do more here than any serum.
A winter routine you can keep up.
You follow the same steps as usual, but you choose different products.
Morning
- Lukewarm water or a mild cleanser that doesn't foam.
- A serum with hyaluronic acid on slightly damp skin. It works better there than on bone-dry skin.
- A cream that keeps your skin comfortable, a little richer than in summer.
- Sun protection, in winter too, as the last step.
Evening
- Double cleanse if you are wearing make-up or sunscreen.
- Acids or retinol once or twice a week at most, each on its own evening.
- On the other evenings, something calming or restorative.
- A richer night cream that seals everything in.
Put a bowl of water on the radiator, or leave the bathroom door open for a moment after showering. It sounds like an old wives' tale, but dry air is the biggest culprit in winter, and this is the cheapest solution there is.
What we do in winter and when we wait a little.
The season plays a part in what we choose together.
A good idea if
- Hydrating and calming treatments, because this is the best time for them.
- A course of peels for pigmentation. In winter there is less sun, so less chance of your results slipping back.
- Microneedling, for the same reason: less sun means less risk during recovery.
- A connective tissue massage if your skin can't take any stimulation for a while.
Check with us first
- If your skin is dry and irritated at the moment, we calm it down before we do anything stronger.
- If you are going on a ski trip or heading for the sun within two weeks, let us know. We will then schedule a peel for afterwards.
- If you have just come in from outside with cold, red skin, we wait a few minutes before starting.
Frequently asked questions about your skin in winter
Why is my skin so dry in winter?
In the cold your skin makes less sebum, and that layer normally holds moisture in. On top of that there is the dry air from the heating, plus the back and forth between cold and warm. Together that makes your skin feel tight and sometimes flaky.
Should I use a different cream in winter?
Usually, yes, at least for the evening. What feels pleasantly light in summer is often too thin in winter. You don't need to use more products, just different ones.
Can I still have a peel in winter?
Yes, and it is actually a good time for one. There is less sun, so less chance of pigmentation coming back during the course of treatment. We do check first that your skin isn't already dry from the cold.
Do I need sun protection in winter?
Yes. UVA is there all year round and passes through cloud and glass. If you are going skiing, it matters even more, because snow reflects a large part of the radiation.
My cheeks turn red as soon as I come indoors. What can I do?
That is a reaction to the difference in temperature and normal in itself. If the redness lingers or your skin feels as if it is burning, take a look at sensitive skin. In that case there is usually more behind it than just the cold.
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