Tips for Tackling Dry Skin This Winter

Colder days are upon us, and so might be the woes of winter skin. Winter climates are intense – temperatures below freezing, frigid winds and indoor heating that sucks every last drop of humidity from the air. Not to mention shorter days, scraping the snow off your car in the morning and trying not to slip in every icy parking lot. Although we consider ourselves lucky to enjoy our changing seasons (hot cocoa and skating anyone?!), adjustment to the winter season can be difficult.

Colder weather takes a toll on our skin. But with a few easy steps, you can fine-tune your winter skin care routine to prevent dry skin.  

Let’s walk the path of empyri’s 3-step ritual to better understand how we can care for our skin this winter season.

Swap your face wash for an oil cleanser

You’ve heard us say it before, and you’ll hear us say it again: oil cleansing for the win! If you struggle with extreme dryness, including raw, cracked or flaking skin each winter, switching to an oil cleanser can make a difference.

Harsh soaps and and foaming cleansers can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and dehydration. To make things worse, that extra dryness will cause an over-production of sebum (oil), leading to a shiny t-zone and acne flare ups. Oil cleansing will be your friend this winter, to maintain your skin’s natural moisture level and overall balance.  

 

Seal in moisture

Speaking of balance, our next winter skincare tip is not to skip the second step! You might see advice to ditch your toner in the winter – that’s because toners can be harsh, astringent products that surprise, surprise, drink up the moisture from your skin. empyri’s hydrating toner is formulated with alcohol-free witch hazel to avoid that kind of over-drying and tightness, and instead nourish and balance your skin with gentle floral waters. Step two is also the perfect primer so you can apply waterless serum (more on this below!) to damp, not dry skin. And let’s not forget that the extra hit of vitamin C will brighten your complexion, and maybe even your day too! Move aside winter darkness.

Read your moisturizer label

When dealing with dryness, it can be tempting to focus on the texture of a moisturizer – the thicker, the better, right? Wrong. Dig down to your products’ ingredients to ensure the list includes components with proven benefits of hydration. And watch out for things like water and alcohol which will do more harm than good. All of the oils in empyri’s daily moisturizing serum have been specially selected for their respective strengths in skincare, including camellia seed oil, deeply hydrating but also easily absorbed by the skin. A perfect combination to tackle seasonal dehydration.

And lastly, no matter what products you’re using this winter, avoid warming up with water. You may love an extra piping hot shower when you’re chilled to the bone, but your skin – especially on your face – does not. Cleanse your face with warm, not hot water, to avoid over-drying and irritation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go easy on exfoliants and scrubs?

Yes, in the winter months, do not over-exfoliate the skin. When combined with exposure to extreme cold, this can lead to skin irritation. 

Having said that, do not stop exfoliation altogether. It’s important to remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin. This outermost layer, the stratum corneum, performs an important role in keeping skin hydrated. Regular exfoliation with gentle ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid allows the skin barrier to remain healthy and prevent transepidermal water loss.

How to Use Overnight Treatments to Prevent Dry Skin

One very popular overnight treatment for dry skin is called slugging. This involves using a thick occlusive like petroleum jelly or aquaphor as the final step in your PM routine, after a rich or thick moisturizer. It provides intense hydration which is why it is most used to treat winter dry skin. 

If you suffer from very dry hands or cracking, you can try slugging on your hands overnight too. Just be sure to wear gloves to avoid making a mess! 

Since everyone deserves an extra warm and fuzzy this season,

You are loved.

 

Jennifer Grant with Hemp Roots

 

Author Bio: Jennifer is the president and founder of empyri.  Jennifer’s passion for formulation and product development was set ablaze in 2019, when she incorporated the healing power of cannabis roots into her long-standing three-step skin care system. Armed with scientific evidence on the actives in cannabis roots and seeds, a clean and conscious brand was born. Using her masters degree in bio-chemical engineering, Jennifer is forging a path to ...READ FULL BIO