With more hours spent indoors, dry air, and fluctuating temperatures, skin needs extra nourishment and protection to maintain its strength and glow. Liv Winther shares her best advice on how to care for your skin to keep it healthy and hydrated all winter long.
What happens to the skin during the winter months?
"When temperatures drop and the air becomes drier, many will find their skin feels drier, tighter, and redder. The shift between cold outdoors and warmth indoors can exacerbate this by increasing moisture loss in the skin, which can already be felt in the autumn.
The skin naturally produces a protective barrier of sebum – a fatty substance that retains moisture and protects against bacteria. When humidity drops, the skin's sebum production can be affected, and its ability to stay supple and protected weakens. How much sebum we produce varies from person to person, and it greatly influences whether the skin is naturally drier or oilier.
To support the skin's natural barrier during the colder months, it's important to provide good fats from plant oils, which help to retain moisture."
Which ingredients should you look for in your skincare products?
"It's a good idea to check the ingredient list on your skincare products and look for natural plant oils such as apricot kernel oil, squalane, jojoba oil, and wheat germ oil. These oils are easily absorbed and provide the skin with nourishment and elasticity – exactly what it needs during the winter.
If you're prone to blemishes, adding extra oil might feel unsettling, but there's a big difference between mineral oils and natural plant oils. Plant oils are similar to the skin's own sebum and can actually help balance oily skin.
It's not necessary to change your entire skincare routine from season to season. Instead, you can adjust the amount of products you already use. For example, try using a little more serum or face cream than usual, or add a few drops of oil to your day cream or body lotion.
Our Hydra Serum is a good example – in the summer, we recommend half to a full pump, while in the winter, you can increase it to two pumps, especially if you tend to have dry skin. The serum contains two types of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which help bind moisture, strengthen the skin's collagen production, and reduce redness and hyperpigmentation. It's also a good choice for skin with rosacea."
How should you cleanse your skin?
Skin cleansing removes dirt, pollution, makeup, and dead skin cells, but it can also strip the skin of its natural oil layer. Therefore, a mild, soap-free, non-foaming cleanser is recommended, such as a cleansing milk or gel that is rinsed off with water.
Liv Winther uses HONEY Cleanser every evening. The creamy cleanser contains magnesium and calcium, which soothe the skin and strengthen its barrier. She also recommends supplementing with a gentle washcloth, especially around the nose and other areas prone to dry skin flakes.
If you have severe acne, it might be a good idea to follow the recommendations of a doctor or esthetician, as the skin may have special needs.
What should you do after cleansing?
After cleansing, the skin needs to restore its protective barrier with moisture and nourishment. A serum is an obvious step before day cream, as it provides an extra moisture boost. You can also add a few drops of Honey Face Oil to your cream for extra care.
For the skin to better absorb the nourishing ingredients, it's important to regularly remove dead skin cells. When the skin becomes dry in winter, dead skin cells layer up, which can make it harder for products to penetrate.
How can you strengthen the skin from within?
Skin health is not only affected by what you apply to it but also by your diet. Healthy fats from fatty fish, oils, seeds, and nuts can support the skin's moisture balance. Consider supplementing with Omega 3 supplements and vitamins such as vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, hyaluronic acid, and collagen.
Long-simmered dishes like chili con carne or homemade broth can also be a good source of collagen and minerals. Alternatively, you can take a collagen supplement for a more concentrated dose.
If you want to give your skin an extra glow, self-tan drops can be a good solution. A quality cream blush in a warm shade can also bring life to your cheeks – and if you choose a variant with plant oils, you'll also get extra care.
Dry brushing – a winter ritual
Dry brushing is a particularly good ritual during the colder months. It removes dead skin cells, stimulates blood circulation, and makes the skin more receptive to moisture and nourishment. Many also find it calming and helps create a stronger connection between body and mind.