While a winter wonderland draws feelings of cozy comfort, it has the potential to wreak havoc on your skin. Icy temperatures and blustery winds bring the dreaded side effect of depleting your skin’s moisture and leaving it dry and dull. To combat the cold, we have some essential winter skin care tips, including a winter skin care routine. Plus, our estheticians have hand-picked a selection of Eminence Organic Skin Care products, including the best moisturizer for winter, for each skin type. 

The Season’s Impact | Tips To Protect Your Skin | 6 Step Winter Routine | Sensitive Skin | Dry Skin | Oily Skin | Combination Skin | Normal Skin 

Winter Skin Care: The Season’s Impact On Your Skin

It happens every year — winter descends and your skin recoils by turning dry, raw and dull. For several reasons, the cold season is often the worst time of year for your complexion. First, brutal winter weather whips around your skin, with chilling winds that draw moisture straight out. Second, we compensate for lower temperatures by cranking up the thermostat, which further strips moisture from your skin. Under dual attack, it’s no wonder your skin suffers dryness during the winter. 

The end result of winter conditions? Dull, dry skin. Without moisture, your skin may be more sensitive and reactive than normal. Even oilier skin types experience uncharacteristic dryness and flaking. To soothe your complexion, here are our suggestions for an Eminence Organics winter skin care routine.

 

Winter Skin Care Tips To Protect Your Skin

1. Use A Humidifier

Forced-air heaters blast away moisture during wintertime, stripping away important oils and leading to itchy skin. Try counteracting these drying effects by blowing a warm- or cool-mist humidifier instead. Re-introducing moisture into the air helps soothe and calm irritated skin.

2. Hot Showers And Baths Dry Out Your Skin

Hot baths and showers may warm you up during cold winter days, but hot water, especially on your face, will only dry out your skin. Extreme temperatures damage your skin’s moisture barrier, preventing it from locking in the moisture it needs to remain soft and smooth. If possible, opt for warm, not hot, water each time you cleanse. If a steamy shower is just too irresistible, follow up with a hydrating body lotion or oil to replenish skin.

3. Fight Dry Skin Symptoms From The Inside

Who would have thought that you can tackle dry skin from the inside as well as out? WebMD states that food rich in healthy fats improves your skin’s moisture levels. After all, fatty acids like omega-3s help replenish your skin’s lipid barrier and protect against moisture loss. Chow down on foods rich in healthy fats like flax, avocado, sunflower oil and nuts, as well as fish like salmon and sardines.

A 6 Step Winter Skin Care Routine For Hydration

To tackle dull and dry winter skin, we’ve created a routine for all skin types that addresses wintertime issues. Follow these steps to return a radiant glow to your complexion:

1. Cleanse

With winter draining the moisture from your complexion, try adding an oil-based cleanser like our Stone Crop Cleansing Oil to your winter skin care routine. This type of cleanser is beneficial for all skin types (even oily!) due to its ability to draw out oil-based impurities like stubborn makeup. This cleanser also replenishes the skin with moisturizing ingredients like sunflower oil and jojoba oil. Use it alone or pair it with your favorite gel or cream-based cleanser in a double cleanse.

2. Tone

Another easy way to keep your skin hydrated during the winter months is to use a toner. You can think of a toner as the conditioner to your cleanse. It adds a base layer of hydration that keeps your skin soft and moisturized. Try our Stone Crop Hydrating Mist, featuring the unique qualities of the stone crop plant, to hydrate, soothe and heal dry skin.

3. Apply Essence

One of the best ways to replenish dry winter skin is to add an essence to your skin care routine. A facial essence is a lightweight fluid that is often described as a cross between a toner and a serum. Our Birch Water Purifying Essence deeply hydrates the skin and preps it to absorb the benefits of the skin care products that follow.

4. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the best way to revive dull winter skin. However, it’s important to keep in mind that frigid temperatures and harsh winds can also make your skin more reactive. Fab Fit Fun recommends Calm Skin Chamomile Exfoliating Peel: “Thanks to Eminence‘s line of at-home exfoliating peels, your skin will look awesome. We love the Chamomile version, which soothes and renews even the most sensitive skin sans irritation and redness … And unlike some harsh formulas on the market, you can use this gentle one up to three times a week.”

If you’re wanting to learn how to combat dull skin, watch our Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar, as she does a deep dive on reviving a dull complexion.

5. Treat

Eminence Organics facial masks and facial oils are the perfect way to deliver an intense dose of nutrients and moisture to the skin. We recommend Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil, a facial treatment that blends results-oriented actives and botanical ingredients for intense hydration and protection. It can be used in your skin care routine morning and night, and is suitable for all skin types. 

6. Moisturize

And last, but definitely not least, moisturize. Moisturizing during the winter is essential to combat dry skin. Even though the sun isn’t as strong during the colder months, exposure to the elements can still suck the moisture out of your skin. Replenish with our Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer, which includes deeply moisturizing coconut oil, shea butter and grape seed oil. 

Moisturizers, Serums & Face Oils For Dry Winter Skin

Sensitive Skin

Hydrate sensitive skin with the precious herbs and oils in our award-winning Facial Recovery Oil. This oil is a part of the Beyond Organic collection, made with organic, Biodynamic® ingredients from our Demeter certified Biodynamic® farms. This luxurious face oil is hypoallergenic, clinically tested and made with the finest and most potent ingredients Mother Nature has to offer. For the winter months, soothe and renew a sensitive and dry complexion with a formula of clary sage oil, olive oil, sage leaf extract and ylang ylang.

Cameron Diaz is one of its many fans, saying: “A drop goes a long way to relieve any dryness in your skin … A drop on each cheek after your shower will do wonders.” Referred to as “liquid gold,” this precious oil is the key to keeping dry skin soft and supple during cold winter months.

Dry Skin

If you suffer from dry skin in winter, give your skin an additional dose of moisture with the Rosehip & Lemongrass Repair Balm. This revolutionary super balm harnesses the power of a Natural Repair Complex derived from rosehip and rosemary to replenish the skin’s moisture and protect it from the effects of environmental stress. Use it as a spot treatment for pesky areas like knees and elbows, or as an ultra-rich face cream to repair and soothe dry winter skin.

The Firm Skin Acai Moisturizer rejuvenates and hydrates mature skin as it contains shea butter and skin-plumping botanical hyaluronic acid. Targeted formulas Homeostatine® and BioComplex boost the appearance of elasticity for younger-looking skin.

As already mentioned, our Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer is another luxuriously-rich formula that brings together coconut, shea butter and grape seed oil to moisturize dry skin. It also contains a Natural Retinol Alternative Complex making the skin appear lifted and tightened.

The Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer contains hydrating stone crop as well as corn germ oil that softens the appearance of the skin. This moisturizer also contains a BioComplex which reduces the appearance of wrinkles. 

Oily Skin

The Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer improves the appearance of clogged pores and blemishes thanks to cucumber and tea tree. The formula also includes probiotics to gently exfoliate and leave the complexion looking calm.

If your oily skin is still feeling parched, add the Rosehip & Lemongrass Soothing Hydrator to your winter skin care routine. This lightweight face and body moisturizer is a must for taking care of dry skin during winter as it contains hydrating ingredients like rosehip, aloe and sunflower oil. This moisturizer can be layered underneath the Rosehip & Lemongrass Repair Balm to lock in moisture and repair dry winter skin. The cooling properties of camphor and menthol provide a refreshing sensation to rejuvenate skin that has been exposed to the elements.

Combination Skin

Protect yourself during winter with the Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer, which promotes the appearance of smoother and revitalized skin. Mangosteen is an antioxidant-rich super fruit that encourages natural radiance and minimizes the look of environmental stress.

If you’re dealing with breakouts or blemishes, the Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer minimizes the appearance of clogged pores and problem skin. This formula also contains a booster of antioxidants, coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the appearance of the skin.

Normal Skin

Even normal skin types may notice dry patches during winter. Defend your skin against harsh winter elements with the Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer, which provides you with smoother and revitalized-looking skin. 

You can also use the Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer. It has a rich texture, so if you prefer, you can dilute it with a couple drops of water for lighter application.

To enhance your winter skin care routine even further, try our selection of cold weather essentials at an Eminence Organics Spa Partner near you.

This article was originally written in December 2020.