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Winter is here and, as we adjust to wearing Holiday sweaters and drinking gingerbread lattes, our skin care routine has to change a little as well.
The hot and dry indoor conditions combined with the cold weather outside can quickly leave our skin feeling dull, itchy and sore.
Fortunately, equipped with the right winter skin care routine, we can prevent and even reverse the damage done to our skin!
This article will cover everything you need to know about winter skin care, including the best products, ingredients to avoid, and how to build an effective winter skin care routine in5 easy steps.
What’s more, Adiya (Yubi’s Founder and Inventor of Time’s Best Beauty Invention of the Year) has dropped by to give us her top tips for beautiful glowing skin this winter!
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Let’s jump in!
Environmental conditions are a significant contributor to skin health, so it’s essential to adjust our skin care routines to counteract the seasonal change.
“The winter months bring double the trouble for skin: harsh cold weather outside (which can leave you dehydrated faster than you realize) and weirdly hot, dry climates inside, with the car and housing thermostats pumped up,” warns Adiya.
“Our poor skin doesn't stand a chance! Add to that increased use of heavier makeup (to cover all the dryness from climate issues, and dark circles from stressing about the holidays!) and you've got a recipe for disaster if you aren't careful.”
During the winter months, it’s a good idea to prioritize moisture and hydration to prevent your skin from drying out.
To maintain moisturized skin, Adiya recommends staying hydrated with plenty of fluids. “My routine involves drinking more water than even during the summer and drinking lots of warm soups - the spicier the better. My biggest issue in the winter is dryness so in addition to topical application, consuming my H20 is so important.”
But what about all of the other beauty products that promise beautifully moisturized and healthy skin?
“I am not a big fan of masks but I have fallen in love with light therapy tools which are great for blemishes and repair,” Adiya tells us. “In general, I don't buy into the marketing gimmicks - I am a huge fan of products that actually work, so I look for formulas with actives - vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid to name a few.”
Spiritually, I think these winter months are the perfect time for us all to reset. Just as trees are dormant in the winter, preparing for a beautiful spring, we too should establish good routines and habits so that when spring comes, we're ready to bloom as well. -
Adiya Dixon
An astringent is a chemical that shrinks the skin and strips it of its natural oils. In skin care products, this usually comes in the form of alcohol or witch hazel (pictured below).
Try to avoid using products that contain astringents during winter months, since these could irritate your skin and leave it feeling dry and vulnerable to infections and breakouts
Fragrances can be harsh on the skin, especially when it’s suffering from dryness. Therefore, it’s best to avoid skin care products containing any heavy fragrances during the winter months.
Comedogenic oils, such as coconut oil and cocoa butter, are excellent at creating a barrier against the elements to maintain skin moisture. However, they clog skin pores and can often lead to pimples, so try to avoid these if you’re prone to breakouts.
Instead, keep your face hydrated without clogging your pores by using a non-comedogenic oil, such as Prickly Pear Cactus Oil.
Drop the soap!
Or at least try to avoid bars that contain lye or fat as they can be extremely harsh on the skin. Soap can upset the pH balance of your face and strip the skin of essential lipids.
We recommend using a gentle cleanser instead of soap, particularly during cold winter weather.
We have to be careful not to over-exfoliate during the winter but, if our skin starts to get flaky, it’s probably a sign that we should incorporate it into our routine.
“Exfoliation is super important, but I stay away from exfoliants made with ground shells or other physical abrasive particles,” Adiya explains.
“They can be tremendously damaging to the skin and create tears that lead to bacterial infection and breakouts. I use konjac sponges which are really lovely and gentle.”
“My approach to beauty is holistic and that's frustrating because it means all real progress takes time,” confesses Adiya.
“In addition to establishing a skin care routine (with regular exfoliation - as this is key!) I think healthy skin comes from healthy foods - leafy greens, protein-rich, and nutrient-dense foods - plenty of water, and plenty of sleep. My skin was always the dryest when I was pulling all-nighters in college, law school, or at the firm my first few years because I wasn't giving it a chance to heal.”
So consistency is key! Nonetheless, Adiya has some great skin care tips for any urgent winter issues: “Now, while you are waiting for your long-term skin care routine to work, in the meantime there's nothing wrong with covering dry skin with a little makeup!”
“In particular, for dry skin, if you are using a matte foundation you may want to move to a hydrating or luminous formula for a few months until the winter passes. Or just mix in a dollop of your Belif cream with your foundation as you apply. (The Miracle Brush makes it easy for you to apply both at the same time!)”
Step 1. Hydrate!Start your day right by drinking plenty of water. At ambient temperatures, the recommendation is to drink 4 to 7 cups of water every day. During the winter months, it might be a good idea to drink an additional cup or two. |
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Step 2. CleanseCleanse deep down to your pores with Yubi’s Vitamin C Wash! This organic, clean formula gently cleanses the skin without drying it out. It’s jam-packed full of soothing aloe vera, vitamin C and vitamin E, which heal the skin and maintain moisture. Cleanse dry winter skin with Yubi’s natural, sulfate-free, paraben-free and vegan formula to leave your skin feeling soft and healthy. |
Step 3. MoisturizeReady your skin for the winter elements by locking in that moisture. Using a good moisturizer is key to an effective winter skin care routine! Adiya tells us, “I love Belif Aqua Bomb which is not too thick but rich enough for extra hydration during the winter. I also love Neutrogena Hydro Boost year-round.” Top Tip! For extra moisture retention, you could use a non-comedogenic beauty oil before applying your moisturizer. |
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Step 4. SunscreenWait...what? Sunscreen in winter? Yup! The sun doesn’t cease to exist in the winter (although it might seem that way sometimes). To protect yourself against harmful UV rays and to lower your risk of skin cancer, we recommend using sunscreen before applying your makeup. Want to avoid getting greasy fingers? Use Yubi’s Miracle Brush to keep your hands clean! AVOID STICKY FINGERS! |
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Step 5. Extra winter skin care essentialsDon’t forget to apply your lip balm, body moisturizer and hand cream! |
For extra advice on how to alleviate dry winter skin, check out our discussion with dermatologist Dr. Shari Hicks Graham as she walks us through her top tips to retain your skin’s natural glow!
“I think if you take a few moments every day to reflect on how important and lovely you are and how valuable you are to others, you'll make the sorts of decisions that lead to healthy skin, among other rewards.
Eat good foods, stretch and sweat a little, drink plenty of water, enjoy caffeine and alcohol in moderation, and get the sleep your body deserves.
It can be hard to be kind to yourself in the winter when there's no sun sparkling or birds singing or beaches to visit. Infinitely harder when we factor in the realities of seasonal depression. But it is so important.
I hope you'll shoot us a note if you are having a hard time managing it.”
Adiya xo
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