As an esthetician, I see first hand the dramatic change that happens in my clients’ skin from the start of November. The impact of winter upon skin doesn’t always manifest in the obvious ways—dry and flaky skin. Increased redness, sensitivity, and texture, a feeling of tightness, dull skin, and deeper-looking lines and wrinkles are all signs that skin is suffering from seasonal changes.
“Adding hydrators in the drier winter months to plump skin and lock in moisture, whilst protecting and improving the skin barrier is essential,” says facial aesthetics doctor, Maryam Zamani. If you’re not already clued up on exactly what the skin barrier is, think of it as the wall that protects your skin, keeping moisture in and irritants like bacteria and pollutants out. Layering hydrating toners and serums will help to pack moisture into the skin, but it’s important to use an occlusive such as a thick cream or oil to support the skin barrier and keep them locked in. When choosing winter skincare products, look out for ingredients like ceramides (which strengthen the skin barrier) as well as popular hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
“Winter is the perfect time to help diminish pigmentation and uneven skin tone, address photo-damage caused from UVA/B rays and shed old skin for a beautiful, wintery glow,” adds Zamani. “This is the time to introduce retinol into the routine to gently peel the skin and eradicate damage caused during the summer.” Many experts advocate this approach of using active ingredients like retinoids and exfoliating acids during the winter. It’s the perfect time of year to focus on exfoliation or to book a chemical peel so you can work on treating conditions like hyperpigmentation, which may have been worsened by sun exposure during the summer.