MAED’s Guide to Winter Skin, Part Two: Face Moisturizer
Denise Vasi
The winter season brings a ton of wonderful things to treasure — holidays with our loved ones, indulgent meals, glamorous cocktail parties, incredible outerwear, killer boots, cozy sweaters and of course, hot chocolate. There’s also that one annoying thing that winter brings along– no not snow… dull, dehydrated, dry, tight skin. In Part 1 of MAED’s Guide to Winter Skin we discussed how finding the right cleanser is the first step to battling “winter face,” but that’s not the only part of your skincare routine that needs some revision. You should be shifting your beauty products just like you shift your wardrobe as the seasons change. “You might be using a lighter moisturizer in warmer weather but notice that moisturizer isn’t delivering the same level of hydration in the winter,” says James Vivian, one of Australia’s top skin experts. During the colder months giving your thirsty skin the right amount of hydration is vital not only to maintaining a healthy glow but to protect your skin. Part 2 of our guide is focused on the importance of using the right nourishing face moisturizer to lock in moisture.
What’s The Right Moisturizer For Winter Skin?
“It all depends on your skin type and concerns, but you do need to be mindful of seasonal change,” says Vivian. Some of us assume that winter means we should be using heavier products, but that’s not always the case. Using a moisturizer based on your particular skin type is still crucial.
Those with dry skin want to use richer creams or face oils. Creams with higher oil concentrations will provide long-lasting hydration that deeply penetrates the skin. “The more of a barrier we have on the skin by adding oils, the more it decreases that dehydration,” adds Vivian.
While Vivian is a big fan of oils, he does warn us that not all oils are created equally. Beware of coconut oil, which can congest the skin.
While richer creams may work well for those who have dry or dehydrated skin, those same creams would lead to clogged pores and breakouts for those with oily skin. That being said, those with oily skin should never skip out on moisturizer. Skipping out could cause a significant loss of hydration, which would then encourage the skin to increase its oil production. A water-based face lotion is a perfect pick for oily skin.
Things get a little trickier for those with combination skin. One way around the issue is to use two different moisturizers for each area. Dab something a little more hydrating on the parts of your face that are dry and use a lighter lotion on the oilier parts of your face like your T-zone.
Those with sensitive skin want to look for products specifically made for sensitive skin. Stick to lighter lotions with as few ingredients as possible.
Normal skin types are the luckiest of all. Not too dry, not too oily and not sensitive means that you can easily experiment with different moisturizers. Still, for these colder winter months, you want to be sure that your product of choice is sealing in moisture.
What If You Love The Moisturizer You’re Already Using?
Vivian says some clients find the perfect moisturizer, fall in love and they don’t want to stray when the weather changes. Rather than moving them to richer creams, he’ll advise clients to introduce oils to their skin-care routine. You can boost the overall hydration component simply by adding a few drops of oil to your regular beloved moisturizer. I think this is also a great hack for those with combination skin. Just add as little as one drop of face oil to a small amount of your usual moisturizer and then use that for your dry skin areas.
Hyaluronic acid is also a fabulous ingredient to add to your moisturizer. “Hyaluronic acid has a high molecular weight, meaning it holds a lot of water. It’s very plumping and makes the skin look more hydrated.” You can add a layer underneath your moisturizer.
Skin issues and sensitivities tend to be more present in the winter time due to extreme temperatures and extreme changes. We move from heated cars to the outside cold, sometimes into wet winds, then back to dry indoor heat. The back and forth of this all can do a number on you. It’s so important to use natural nourishing products to protect and replenish your skin. The change you want to see and feel in your skin, this winter, is just a few minor adjustments away.
James Vivian is a well-known and highly-respected dermal therapist based in Australia. The driving force behind James Vivian Dermal Therapies, Vivian lives and breathes beautiful skin and has grown his business from a single operator in-home clinic to an expert team of skincare professionals with permanent bases across two states.
