No matter what skin care routine you have, proper cleansing is the basis of a successful regimen especially during the winter months. Our skin is constantly being bombarded with pollutants in our environment, which can cause blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of ageing and skin concern.
Harsh winter weather is something that affects your skin conditions, mainly by reducing the amount of natural moisture in your body. If your skin is dry, it can even lead to flaky patches or peeling.
Winter Cold air also causes more oil production, making your skin even more sensitive. Knowing how to properly take care of your skin in winter is important as it helps you maintain a healthy and beautiful complexion throughout the year.
USE A GENTLE FACIAL CLEANSER
Cleansing is especially important during winter months when cold weather causes our skin to become excessively dry or flaky, even if it can produce more oil than usual. Thus, regular cleansing of your face and body is the first step of any skin care regimen.
The key to any healthy skin care routine in the wintertime is gentle cleansing.
A great way to cleanse your skin is by using a combination of soap and cleansing oil. There are also some cleansing balms that can hydrate the dry areas while removing makeup, dirt, and grime with ease.
You should make sure you don’t use hot water when washing your face—it can strip natural emollients and oils from your skin, leading to dehydrated and dry skin.
TYPES OF CLEANSERSDepending on what you need, there is a wide variety of products that will help keep your skin clean and healthy: natural bar soaps, organic cleansing milk, cleansing foams and gels, natural oils…etc. Any product with the term “mild” or “gentle” in the title should be suitable to use for your face.
CLEANSING BARSOne of the best facial cleansers is bar soap, but not all bars are created equal. The most important thing to watch out for before buying any bar soap is that it suits your skin type. You can find soaps with a specific formula for oily skin, dry skin, combination skin…etc. Remember that the goal is to use cleansing bars as an added step towards taking care of your skin in winter, rather than something you should be using every day.
Ultra-Nourishing Creamy Soap. Sustainably crafted with ingredients from the Mediterranean, Ayuna’s Soap provides a delicate sensation of cleanliness and silk, transforming your daily routine into a moment of pleasure.
Ideal for the most demanding, damaged and delicate skins, soap rich offers a creamy sensory experience for a moment of true well-being. Rich in Borage Seed Oil, a herbaceous Mediterranean species from whose seeds this precious lipid is extracted. It stands out for its high gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content and its well-known dermatological and cosmetic effects.
When it comes into contact with water, this handmade soap transforms into a creamy foam that facilitates effective and delicate cleansing, leaving a very soft finish without an oily sensation.
CLEANSING MILK AND LOTIONAnother great option if you have sensitive skin is cleansing milk or lotion. Its light texture is ideal for removing makeup and dirt while leaving your face hydrated.
They are also more convenient to use, especially if you’re in a hurry since they don’t require the application of water like traditional soap does.
The mild Susanne Kaufmann Cleansing Milk is extremely gentle yet very effective cleansing milk designed for sensitive and dehydrated skin types.
Formulated with a herbal compound of chamomile, sage and St. John’s wort flowers, it removes makeup and impurities without upsetting the skin’s fragile balance.
Nourishing components, like the energy-rich rosehip seed oil, are gratefully absorbed by sensitive skin that is prone to dryness. The skin is cleaned and the natural protection of the skin is retained. Eye makeup is gently and reliably removed. The tensides in the cleansing milk are obtained from sugar. They are especially skin-friendly and PH-neutral. The cleaning substances are biodegradable and have been obtained from renewable resources.
CLEANSING FOAMS AND GELSJust like bar soaps, not all foams or gels are created equal. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a formula that has “mild” or “gentle” in the title, and work it into your skin gently.
The Organic Pharmacy Rose Facial Cleansing Gel 100ml
Rose Facial Cleansing Gel is a beautifully light and fragrant gel with extracts of Rosehip and Rose Geranium for gentle cleansing.
Suitable for Vegans. Hydrate skin and eliminate impurities with The Organic Pharmacy Rose Facial Cleansing Gel. This fragrant, Aloe-based wash is infused with Calendula to soothe redness and cleanse without drying. Rose Hip protects and conditions for fresh, glowing skin.
CLEANSING CLOTHSOne very easy way to cleanse your skin is by using cleansing cloths. These are usually disposable cloths soaked in a cleansing solution that you simply wipe on your skin. It’s the easiest way to cleanse your face, but there are some downsides to using them. Most importantly, these clothes only remove dirt and grime; they don’t remove makeup or anything else.
Aurelia London Monday to Sunday Bamboo Muslins
Using one of Aurelia London’s antibacterial bamboo muslins enables you to gently lift away daily grime and makeup whilst stimulating circulation as your remove the Miracle Cleanser. This, in turn, speeds natural skin regeneration process, resulting in a brighter complexion, leaving fresher, younger skin cells sitting on your skin’s surface enabling the product to absorb quickly and work more effectively.
HOW TO CHOOSE CLEANSING PRODUCTSIf you want to take care of your skin in winter, you’ll need the right skin care products. Go for gentle formulas whenever possible, and opt for oils or gels if you have dry skin.
CLEANSERS FOR SENSITIVE SKINSensitive skin can be more prone to redness or irritation during cold weather. Luckily, there are plenty of options available to keep your skin healthy and beautiful during the winter months. Try out cleansing oils or milk that can hydrate the dry areas while removing makeup, dirt, and grime with ease.
Aurelia London Miracle Cleanser 240ml
Aurelia London’s award-winning, aromatic, creamy Miracle Cleanser glides onto the skin, lifting off all impurities and make-up, leaving skin bright, clean and glowing. Aurelia’s probiotic ingredients continuously protect, restore and balance the skin from within. Helping to reduce the damage caused by pollution and stress, they activate the skin’s ability to repair itself, maintaining equilibrium.
This gentle cleanser supports the skin’s natural barrier with targeted, rich botanicals including Baobab to revitalise the skin, firming Kigelia Africana, Mongongo oil and antioxidant-rich Hibiscus to fight oxidative stress. A delicate but uplifting blend of Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Bergamot offers a spa-like experience resulting in truly the best cleanse your skin will ever have, without any dryness.
CLEANSERS FOR OILY SKINIf you have oily-prone skin, it’s best to cleanse with either foaming or gel cleanser to ensure adequate removal of excess dirt and oil from your skin.
You could also try oil-based cleansers, which are specifically formulated to break down excess oil. These types of cleaners will give your skin a matte look, so they might not be the best option for you if you have dry skin, but if you have oily or combination skin, these can work great in winter.
Agent Nateur Holi(cleanse) Cleansing Face Oil 120ml
Purify, nurture and protect your complexion with Agent Nateur Holi(cleanse) Cleansing Face Oil. This gentle formula contains a nutrient-dense base of luxury oils that emulsify dirt, oil and makeup while calming plant extracts ease redness and reveal your complexion’s natural luminance. To protect tender skin, each bottle of holi(cleanse) comes paired with a soft muslin cloth for effortless, scrub-free removal.
HOW DO YOU WASH YOUR FACE FOR COMBINATION SKIN?The best face cleanser for you is one that is clear, gentle, and has a gel-like consistency. A face wash with mild chemical exfoliants such as AHAs or BHAs will work best for you. Not only that it should also have ceramides and peptides to keep your skin protected.
MZ Skin Cleanse & Clarify Dual Action AHA Cleanser & Mask 100ml
Fast track a glow with this multi-functional cleanser and mask. Carefully formulated with a blend of Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Fruit Enzymes to cleanse and exfoliate without irritation for a refined skin texture. Cleanse & Clarify Dual Action AHA Cleanser & Mask is a perfect prep to reveal smoother, brighter and more radiant skin.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Acid Wash 148ml
If the glow is gone you need to wash it back in. When the pimples are back in town, it’s time to cleanse them away. Clogged pores, rough texture, a zit or two (or five), overall dullness or just simply a look of blah can all be treated with proper exfoliation.
HoliFrog blended together with the best combination of smoothing and brightening acids to penetrate into your skin while you wash.
CLEANSERS FOR NORMAL SKINIf you have a normal skin type, your key skin care goal is to maintain the natural pH balance of your skin. If you want to take care of your winter skin, try using cleansing oils or milk that can hydrate the dry areas while removing makeup, dirt, and grime with ease.
Nuori Protect+ Cleansing Milk 150ml
This luxurious cleansing milk gently removes impurities and leaves skin feeling soft, soothed, and rebalanced.
Gently cleanses the skin while helping alleviate dryness and dehydration without leaving a weighty after-feel. Offers daily protection against environmental stress and extreme temperature changes and helps prevent visible signs of collagen breakdown. Diminishes the appearance of redness, inflammation, and surface irritation.
CLEANSERS FOR DRY WINTER SKINIf you have dry skin, make sure to go for cleansing oils or balms during wintertime. Oils are natural moisturizers that can hydrate your skin while removing makeup, dirt, or grime.
Oskia Skincare Perfect Cleanser 125ml
Oskia Perfect Cleanser is a nourishing cleansing balm rich in youth-boosting vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics. Ideal for all skin types, especially for mature and dry skin, this Nutri-active cleansing balm deeply cleanses, decongests, brightens and restores moisture levels.
MECHANICAL EXFOLIANTSYou shouldn’t use any form of Mechanical exfoliant during the wintertime. Some types of scrubs contain small particles which, when combined with the dry air in winter, can irritate your skin. Avoid these products until springtime.
CHOOSE YOUR SKIN CARE PRODUCTS CAREFULLYKing, some hot ingredients you should look out for in the cold are ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, bakuchiol, and botanical oils. When used in conjunction, they can soothe inflammation, restore hydration, and strengthen the skin barrier. And don’t forget the SPF, which yes, you do need during winter.
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser 100ml
A pH 5.5, sulfate-free foaming gel cleanser supercharged with Silk Amino Acids, Hyaluronic Acid and organic Safflower & Moringa Oil for fresh hydration. Removes makeup, daily grime and pollution without ever stripping the skin.
Oskia Skincare Rest Day Comforting Cleansing Milk 150ml
Oskia Rest Day Comforting Cleansing Milk is a restoring and calming cleanser for daily use, especially those days when your skin needs a rest and to recover its natural balance.
Designed to be non-active so it doesn’t overstimulate the skin.
Suitable for normal to dry, sensitive and stressed skin types.
YOUR WINTER SKIN CARE ROUTINENow that you’ve got some great tips for taking care of your skin in winter, it’s time to get started. Here are the steps you should follow every day:
1. Avoid hot water temperature. Start by wetting your face with warm water and then apply a gentle cleanser all over your face.
2. Massage the cleanser into your damp skin for a minute or two, then remove it with a cleansing pad.
3. Rinse off your face and neck with lukewarm water and pat dry gently with a soft towel.
4. Moisture and protect your skin Finish up by applying moisturizer all over your face and neck, especially if you have dry skin.
5. Stay Hydrated. Do not forget to drink plenty of water – this will help maintain healthy levels of moisture in your skin and it will also help you stay more alert throughout the day.
6. To help with the dry air in your home from central heating use a humidifier in the winter to help moisturize dry skin.
7. Spend 10 minutes outside every day for vitamin D, which helps keep skin healthy and glowing
8. Wear sunscreen or an SPF moisturizer with UVA/UVB protection every day – even when it’s cloudy out!
As you can see, it’s very easy to take care of your skin in winter. Just remember that the goal is to cleanse your face properly every day. Remember that gentle formulas are best for sensitive skin during cold weather months.
