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Winter Skin Care For Different Skin Types

Written by:
Marle Tyrrell

Updated by:
Thea Christie,

How Does Winter Impact The Skin? | Winter Skin Care Routine Basics | Dry Skin | Oily Skin | Normal Skin | Sensitive Skin | Combination Skin

Winter is the season to change up your skin care routine. When Frank Sinatra on the radio starts crooning that “the weather outside is frightful,” it'll be around that time of year when freezing temperatures and extreme heating start to wreak havoc on your skin. To prepare your skin for winter, here are the best winter skin care routines you can use depending on your skin type. 

Winter Skin Care: How Does Winter Impact The Skin?

In winter, cold, dry weather leads to decreased skin hydration and increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL). TEWL refers to the process of water moving from the dermis through the epidermis and evaporating from the skin barrier. Without the added moisture from sweat and humidity, colder weather can easily strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation and a compromised skin barrier. Fortunately, you can prevent this with specific products designed to retain moisture. Before we explore product recommendations for each skin type, let's review the foundational steps common to every skin care routine:

The Winter Skin Care Routine Basics

For all skin types, a good winter skin care routine is made up of a few key steps:

Cleanse 

Cleanse with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, makeup or buildup that can lead to breakouts or congested skin.

Tone

After cleansing, use a toner, mist, or essence to add an extra layer of hydration and address any specific concerns.

Exfoliate

Exfoliate with a gentle scrub, acid or enzyme-based exfoliant to smooth off any dead or flaking skin exacerbated by winter. This step is particularly beneficial during the cooler months when skin tends to be driest. Start slowly and with a gentle, non-irritating formula.

Mask

Your skin requires extra hydration during the colder months. To replenish your skin, you should ideally mask once or twice a week. 

Boost

Boost your skin with a product that offers targeted treatments, such as a serum or facial oil. 

Moisturize

Moisturize morning and night to keep your skin balanced during winter. Ensure you've applied moisturizer on your face and body, particularly after a shower when hot water dries out the skin.

Eye Care

Use a rich eye cream to hydrate the thinner, more delicate skin around the eye area. 

Supporting your skin with the right products is a great way to navigate winter dullness. Although replenishing lost hydration is vital for all skin types in winter, you don't want a one-size-fits-all approach to your skin care routine. Each skin type has its unique symptoms and challenges. Read on to discover the best winter routines and tips for each skin type. 

Fun Extras

This holiday season, treat yourself to the Limited Edition Essential Trio Serum Gift Set or the Cleanse & Glow Gift Set. The Essential Serum Trio Gift Set features three travel-size serums; start with the antioxidant-rich Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum brimming with vitamins C and E to brighten the look of your skin. The Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum is formulated with our hydrating Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex as well as strawberry and rhubarb extracts to plump the look of your complexion, while the Marine Flower Peptide Serum is included to improve the look of skin firmness.

The Cleanse & Glow Gift Set is designed to reveal your skin’s natural radiance, no matter your skin type. This fan-favorite gift set unites two best-selling products to soften, refine and brighten the complexion, namely the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser and Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant.

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A Winter Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin

Winter can be a tricky time for dry skin types who may notice that their skin feels tighter and more stripped of moisture than normal. The skin may become more flaky, itchy and rough on your face and body. The ultimate goal in winter for drier skin types is to increase moisture and keep the skin's moisture barrier functioning as intended. To achieve this, our Product Support Representatives recommend this winter routine for dry skin:

  1. Cleanse with the Firm Skin Acai Cleanser
  2. Tone with the Birch Water Purifying Essence
  3. Exfoliate with the Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel
  4. Mask with the Yellow Sweet Clover Anti-Redness Masque
  5. Restore with the Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil
  6. Moisturize with the Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer
  7. Care for the eye area with Snow Mushroom Moisture Cloud Eye Cream

Our Best Tips For Caring For Dry Skin in Winter

  • Invest in a humidifier to add moisture back into the air.
  • While we understand the appeal of extremely hot showers, you're better off sticking to warm to lukewarm showers. Hot showers draw even more moisture from the skin and strip away the little oil your skin had in the first place. 
  • Keep exfoliation to one or two times a week to avoid over-exfoliating.

A Winter Skin Care Routine For Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you’re no stranger to excess shine, visible pores and breakouts. Your skin produces more oil and can be greasy to the touch. Your makeup may also absorb very quickly into the skin, but what remains also slides off quickly. Our Product Support Representatives recommend the following skin care routine to prevent breakouts and minimize greasiness:

  1. Cleanse with the Stone Crop Gel Wash
  2. Tone with the Stone Crop Hydrating Mist
  3. Exfoliate with the Clear Skin Willow Bark Exfoliating Peel
  4. Replenish with the Stone Crop Masque
  5. Boost with the Cornflower Recovery Serum
  6. Moisturize with the Echinacea Recovery Cream  

Our Best Tips for Caring for Oily Skin In Winter

  • Don't skip face oils or moisturizers in winter. Even oily skin benefits from extra hydration during the driest months. As licensed medical esthetician Kim Hart tells What's Up Mag, adding oil to your skin will keep the skin soft and supple so that the skin looks and feels less greasy. 
  • Year-round, cleansing is a necessary step for removing any dirt or buildup that can lead to breakouts or congested skin. 
  • Even oily skin may experience dryness and flakiness during the colder months, which may be helped by using a replenishing mask (such as the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque listed above). 

A Winter Skin Routine for Normal Skin

You may not notice the effects of colder air as other skin types do. But, you still want to increase moisture to avoid developing dry skin symptoms like flaky or itchy skin. Follow this skin care routine to maintain your healthy skin: 

Our Best Tips For Caring For Normal Skin in Winter

  • Avoid the temptation to crank up the central heating. High heat can make the air in your house even drier. Try a cool yet comfortable temperature setting between 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit so that your skin doesn't dry out. 
  • Try slugging to replenish the skin once or twice a week. Slugging will provide a layer of protection throughout the night.

  • Add moisture from the inside out by drinking lots of water and increasing your water intake. 

A Winter Skin Routine For Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is very susceptible to winter’s wrath. Those who sit on the sensitive side will likely notice dry, itchy or irritated skin due to a decrease in skin moisture. Combat your winter woes with this sensitive skin care routine: 

Our Best Tips For Caring for Sensitive Skin in Winter

  • Like our dry skin friends, be mindful of long, hot showers which can dry out your skin and lead to irritation and itchiness. 
  • If there is any time to start looking a little closer at the ingredients of your skin care, it is now. Steer clear of products that include drying ingredients like alcohol or soap. 
  • Patch test all new products. It’s always worth double-checking new products with your dermatologist and testing them on your skin before applying them to your face. 

A Winter Skin Routine For Combination Skin

With less humidity in the air, winter can be a tricky time for combination skin. Those with combination skin have the difficult task of managing both excess oil and dry areas. Try out this skin care routine for combination skin:

Our Best Tips For Caring For Combination Skin in Winter

  • If you have dry skin patches, avoid using loofahs, and allow your exfoliating products to do the work. Loofahs may be too harsh on your skin during winter if your skin is already very dry and your skin barrier is potentially compromised.
  • Like our oily skin types, don't skip on using serums and oils because you're worried about putting creams or oils on the oilier sections of your skin. These moisturizing products help you maintain balanced moisture levels for more supple-looking skin.
  • Some companies offer foaming cleansers that are marketed towards combination and oily skin, but often they contain sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which irritates all skin types. Check your ingredient list. 

If you'd like to learn about your unique winter skin care needs, book a consultation with a licensed esthetician at an Eminence Organics Spa Partner near you.

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