How to care for dry skin in winter

Winter is often thought of as a cozy, holiday season. But did you know that the coldest and driest month of the year is actually February?

Many months of dry, cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin. We see a lot of clients in our NYC studio looking for help combating winter weather and advice on how to keep their skin hydrated for so many months.

So here are some of our best ways to help your skin and how colder weather can actually be used as a restorative break for your skin.

Make sure your skincare routine is hydrating

Your skin is already facing a climate that will strip away its moisture and protective barrier. Make sure to use products that give moisture back to your skin and don’t stress it any further.

Use an oil-based cleanser
Start by swapping any foaming cleansers - which may clean your skin by stripping away its natural moisture - for oil-based cleansers that will hydrate and strengthen skin (I use our Revealing Botanical Oil Cleanser).
Layer products
Winter layering is for more than just sweaters! Don’t be afraid to give more back to your skin by layering up your skincare products too. I’d recommend starting with a hydrating or plumping serum as a base and then proceeding to a hydrating, nurturing oil (I only use Cold Season Botanical Facial Oil). Finish your routine with a hydrating mist (Plant Therapy Helichrysum Hydrosol is super nurturing and balances skin’s natural pH).
Hydrate while you sleep
One of my greatest skincare tips is to keep a humidifier running by your bed. This will really help enfuse the air around you with moisture that your skin isn’t getting outside. Just make sure to change the water and clean the system often.

Ingredients you want in your winter products

Schisandra: The queen of all medicinal herbs

If you already have a winter skincare routine that works for you, but want to make sure you’re using the healthiest, most hydrating products possible, you may want to look out for the ingredients below.

To protect
In fighting harsh winter weather, it’s important to not only infuse the skin with moisture, but also protect your skin from drying out afterward. Look for naturally protective ingredients like Schizandra known to work as an adaptogen, Tamanu and Moringa, which help strengthen your skin’s natural barrier.
To refresh
A lot of our clients are interested in ingredients that improve skin elasticity and fight the effects of aging. These ingredients are a wonderful way to reinvigorate tired, winter skin as well. I recommend looking for products that increase collagen or contain naturally anti-aging properties, like hyaluronic acid and ferulic acid. Personally, I use our Vitamin Peptide Serum, which stimulates collagen production with five powerful peptides to reverse damage caused by aging and environmental factors.

Take some time to repair sun damage

Winter is the best time of year to recover from sun damage you might have suffered during the warmer, sunnier months.

Peel away the damage
Peels are a great winter treatment because they can go deep to remove damage that the sun might’ve done to your skin. Plus peels should always be done when you won’t be in contact with strong, summer sunlight. Make sure to ask your esthetician about which peels are best-suited for your skin type and lifestyle (for example, some peels shouldn’t be done on pregnant women).
Light Therapy
I recommend that my clients begin incorporating LED Light Therapy into their professional and at-home routines during the winter. Red light helps increase cellular activity, including that which stimulates collagen production. Regular use has proven to reduce sun damage and plump fine lines. There are some great at-home options, like Celluma (which is also what I use in the Tulura studio).
Don’t skip on sunscreen!
Most people never think to apply sunscreen during the colder months. But I always urge my clients to apply a mineral-based sunscreen whenever they leave the house, regardless of the time of year. This practice will protect skin from any further damage.

Bonus: give your hair a little love too

For my hair, I incorporate a weekly, hydrating mask to help the static effect I get from wearing hats and spending time in artificially heated air. Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask is made exclusively from clean, non-toxic ingredients and smells incredible. I apply to damp or dry hair and sweep my hair into a bun. Once I’ve let it sit for a while and washed my hair, I notice a huge difference in its overall health and texture. I sometimes add a tiny bit on the ends after towel drying, it helps to condition during the day and give a bit of texture.

We’d love to hear how these tips work for you or if you have any of your own winter skin hacks. Comment below to let us know!