What happens to your skin during winter?

Our skin has a skin barrier that is responsible to push away the bad guys trying to harm your skin. The majority of the skin barrier is made up of lipids and that means you need moisture to keep up with your skin barrier. On most days, your skin draws moisture from the surrounding since it is readily present in the air. During winter, however, the air does not have enough moisture available in the form that can be easily absorbed by your skin. So that means your skin’s outermost layer is going to dry out. Because of this, your skin draws moisture from your deepest skin layer towards your epidermis (outermost skin layer). This means that all your skin layers will now be dehydrated. Now it makes sense that due to lack of moisture, your skin barrier is disrupted and you might face multiple skin issues like acne, inflammation, excessively oily, dryness, etc.

What are the skin concerns that you might face in winter?

 

Winter does not necessarily just bring dryness. Okay, majorly dryness is the concern but then dryness leads to more problems until you realise your skin is an utter mess due to dryness. Here’s what can be your skin concern during winter-

1. Irritated and inflamed skin

Winter dehydrates your skin by signaling your body to draw moisture from the deepest layer of the skin. So this will be disturbing your skin’s pH. You can sense that your skin is itchy and burning due to imbalanced pH.

Learn more about the difference between dry and dehydrated skin here!

2. Enlarged pores

A well-moisturised skin will drastically change your skin’s appearance. Due to dehydration, you will be able to notice fine lines and pores.

3. Change in skin type

When your skin remains dehydrated for a long time, it will lead to disruption of the skin barrier. A disrupted barrier will lead to infection and overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. They will then harm your pores and pores will secrete excess oil. So at the end of the day, you will observe your skin turning really oily. Your skin can also become sensitive due to disrupted skin barrier in winter. Learn more about the skin barrier here.

To know what your skin type is, take this quiz!

4. Dullness

Ever noticed how moisturiser dramatically changes the appearance of your skin? A nourished skin can instantly stand out due to the glow. If your skin is not well hydrated and moisturised, you will end up with skin issues and one of them will be dullness.

What are the ingredients that you must include in your skincare routine?

1. Calendula

Calendula is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to treat inflamed tissues. Studies and our ancestor’s practices prove that Calendula is a healing balm for our skin. In skincare, its oil is extracted and used in products. It is a great addition to your winter skincare routine since winter causes inflammation.

Sublime recommends One Thing Calendula Officinalis(Pot Marigold) Flower Extract which is just nothing but one ingredient that is Calendula extract packed in a cute bottle.

2. Probiotics

For the longest time we’ve ran away from microorganisms but now we know better. The good bacteria present on our skin in a controlled amount, balances the pH of our skin, maintain our skin barrier and fight the pathogenic organisms that can cause acne. This is the reason why we must maintain their presence on our skin. Thanks to skin science, probiotics (good bacteria) are infused in skincare products to help you maintain your skin biome.

Learn more about skin biome aka. microbiome here!

Sublime recommends Ilana Organics Good Skin Serum. This guy not just has Probiotics but also Niacinamide. Such an overachiever!

3. Vitamin E

How many times have our dadi and mom advised us to put a Vitamin E capsule in our hair oil and keep it overnight as a hair mask? It’s for the same reason why Vitamin E is also useful to your skin. It is absorbed by our skin’s lipid layer which forms the major part of our skin barrier. It helps to fight free radicals that can cause oxidative stress to our skin.

Sublime recommends Vaunt Brazil Nut + Rosehip Face Oil With Vitamin E Booster. It has a rich concoction of Vitamin A, C, E & Omega Fatty Acids 3, 6 & 9. We don’t need anything more in face oil.

4. Rose Water

Rose water is one of those calming agents that will lift up your mood and skin instantly. It hydrates your skin and leaves you with nothing but glowing skin. The thing about Rose water is it suits all skin types and every skin type needs an ingredient like this one.

Learn more about Rose water here.

Sublime recommends Juicy Chemistry Organic Bulgarian Rose Water. This sure will fetch you some moisture, thanks to the Bulgarian Rose water properties.

5. Cacao butter

This may be the yummiest ingredient in this list. You can use it in your diet to fuel your skin from within and can also be used in your skincare routine since it is so effective to nourish chapped lips and help with stretch marks.

6. Ceramides

Dryness can lead to sagging, fine lines, and a wrinkly face. Ceramides are lipids that strengthen your skin barrier and maintain skin structure. A good moisturiser that has Ceramides in it, should be your go-to pick for the winter.

Sublime recommends the True Frog Sleeping Mask With Ceramides And Hyaluronic Acid. This can give you calm and hydrated skin overnight due to the presence of Ceramides, Jojoba oil, Squalane, and Hyaluronic Acid in it.

7. Squalane

Squalane is derived by a process called hydrogenation of Squalene. This is a stable form of oil that can easily replace your moisturiser or emollient. In case you’re wondering that oil can be too heavy and greasy for your face, this one is not. It is light and non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog your pores. We spot a winner for winter skincare.

Sublime recommends Dr. Sheth's Pure Olive Squalane that can be used for your hair, nails, and skin to moisturise.

What are the notes that one must keep in mind for winter skincare?

1. Include a gentle cleanser

Your skin can easily tear during winter since it has minimal moisture present in it. Due to this, when you use a harsh cleanser like those that have alcohol or a higher concentration of active ingredients. You want to stick with a very basic cleanser that won’t strip off the last bits of moisture present on your skin.

Sublime recommends the Rovectin Skin Essentials Conditioning Cleanser that has Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica, and Glycerin to cleanse and hydrate at the same time.

2. Don’t over-wash your skin

Just don’t. You don’t need to wash your face with a face wash every time you feel like your face has become greasy or dirty. Just splash some water and pat dry it. It sounds like we’re talking about taking care of a baby’s skin but winter can really make your skin that fragile!

3. Use exfoliator sparingly

There are two types of exfoliators- physical and chemical. Physical exfoliators are granular and can tear your skin if you’re not careful of the pressure you’re applying while exfoliating. On the other hand, chemical exfoliants can gently remove the grim but you must be careful of the concentration and cocktailing exfoliating acids. If you overdo this, then you might end up with burnt skin or redness and inflammation.

Learn more on how to pick the right exfoliator for your skin!

Sublime recommends Fiducia Botanicals Calendula & Goats Milk Brightening Exfoliator that has Moroccan Rhassoul Clay, Organic Oats, Amba Haldi, Calendula Petals, Goats Milk to gently exfoliate and nourish your skin.

 4. Use a hydrating moisturiser

Pick a moisturiser that will not just restore your skin barrier but also help you hydrate. Hydrating ingredients will help you draw water from the surroundings and moisturising ingredients will help you create a barrier to prevent loss of water. A product that has both hydrating and moisturising properties will help you get that glow.

5. Apply moisturiser right after washing

Right when your skin is damp, it is receptive to the environment and what you apply on it. To instantly lock in moisture, apply moisturiser when your skin is damp. If needed, tone your face and then immediately follow it with a moisturiser. This trick will also reduce the amount of moisturiser you need and evenly distribute it on your skin.

Sublime recommends Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream Yeast-derived beta glucan, jojoba oil, & Ceramides to deeply hydrate and moisturise your skin.

6. Take a nourishing diet

Skincare can only do so much. What counts is what goes inside your system. You don’t really need to go extravagant with your diet. Just include the seasonal fruits and veggies available in your locality. Berries are the most common fruits available in winter. Along with berries, you can also include Turmeric, Avocado, Nuts, and leafy vegetables to get a wholesome nutritional diet.

Learn more about food that keeps your skin and guts healthy here!

What does an ideal winter skincare routine look like?

1. Cleanse

Use a gentle cleanser that will restore your skin barrier and yet remove the grim stuck in your pores. Look out for products that have Neem, Turmeric, BHAs, etc. Just make sure that they don’t have harsh additives and preservatives that could be potent irritants to your vulnerable skin.

2. Tone

This is a must in winter. Toner can wake up your skin and make it more receptive to the skincare products that you will follow up with. A classic toner is Rose water that can hydrate and tone your skin to avoid sagging and dullness.

3. Serum

We all have skin concerns that we want to address through treatment products. Serums can contain actives and hence we need to be careful with their concentration and layering. For winters, opt for a serum that won’t just address your skin concern but also additionally hydrate your skin. So a serum that has Hyaluronic Acid is where you must put your money.

4. Moisturiser

A moisturiser that contains Ceramides, Vitamin E, Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid will work really well for your skin during winters. This will help you address multiple skin concerns like sagging and dullness with just one moisturiser.

5. SPF

We know it is cloudy during winters but that does not mean that the harsh sun rays are resting above the clouds. They are very much penetrating the clouds and reaching your skin to create havoc. No matter how sunny or cloudy or rainy, we want to see you wearing SPF in your AM routine because we want the best for your skin!

Sublime recommends FAI Sun Shield SPF 50+ PA+++ that offers high protection from not unjust UVB but also UVA rays.

Learn how to read sunscreen labels here!

The keynotes

Winters can dry your skin to give you multiple skin concerns like dullness, sagging, fine lines, flaking, etc. To address these concerns during winter, your skincare needs to be crafted well by keeping in mind the environment around you. Pick nourishing and hydrating ingredients that can plump up your skin during winter. Stick to the basics and opt for a gentler approach by following our guide to treat and maintain healthy skin!

-Divya Salvi