5-Step Skincare Routine For Winter To Achieve Happy Skin During The Colder Months

As the winter chill sets in, so does the impact on our skin. Cold winds, low humidity, and indoor heating can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leaving it dry, flaky, and irritated. Taking extra care of your skin during this season is essential to maintain a healthy, glowing complexion. In this guide, we’ll walk you through an ideal skincare routine for winter and offer tips to help you achieve soft, hydrated, and radiant skin all season long.

Skincare Routine For Winter

A well-crafted winter skincare routine can make all the difference in keeping your skin nourished and protected from harsh weather conditions. Here’s a step-by-step winter skincare routine to help you achieve healthy and happy skin during the colder months.

• Step 1: Gentle Cleansing

Cleansing is a crucial first step, but it’s important to switch to a gentle, hydrating face wash in the winter. Foaming facial cleansers or gel cleansers that strip the skin of oils may worsen dryness. Opt for cream or oil-based cleansers that gently cleanse the skin while maintaining its natural barrier. Look for ingredients that help lock in moisture.

• Step 2: Exfoliation—But Sparingly

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and ensures better absorption of skincare products. However, during winter, over-exfoliating can irritate the skin and worsen dryness. Use a mild exfoliating gel once or twice a week to avoid disrupting the skin’s moisture barrier.

• Step 3: Hydrating Toner

After cleansing, use a hydrating toner or essence to replenish lost moisture. Look for products that contain hyaluronic acid, rose water, or chamomile extract. These ingredients help to soothe and hydrate the skin, preparing it to absorb the next steps in your skincare routine for winter.

• Step 4: Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise

The cornerstone of any winter skincare routine is a good moisturiser. Switch to a richer, more nourishing formula that deeply hydrates and seals in moisture. Look for hydrating moisturisers that help repair the skin’s protective barrier and prevent moisture loss. Apply it while your skin is slightly damp to maximise hydration.

• Step 5: SPF Is Still Essential

Don’t ditch the sunscreen just because it’s cold outside. UV rays can still damage your skin during winters. Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from premature ageing and UV damage.

Tips for Winter Skincare

Apart from following a religious skincare routine for winter, here are some tips to keep in mind, according to your skin type and needs:

Winter Care For Oily Skin

During winter, oily skin can still produce excess oil but may also experience dryness and tightness due to the cold. To tailor your oily skin routine in winter:

• Opt for a gentle, gel-based cleanser: Avoid harsh cleansers that can strip your skin of its natural oils, causing it to overproduce oil.
• Use a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser: Even oily skin needs hydration. Look for non-comedogenic products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid that hydrate without clogging pores.
• Avoid heavy creams: Stick to lightweight, water-based products that hydrate without making your skin greasy.

Winter Care For Dry Skin

Winter can be particularly harsh on dry skin, leading to flakiness and irritation. To protect dry skin during the colder months:

• Layer your moisturisers: Start with a hydrating face serum, followed by a thick, nourishing moisturiser containing ceramides or shea butter to lock in moisture.
• Use a humidifier: Indoor heating can make the air dry, so using a humidifier can help maintain skin hydration.
• Skip hot showers: Say NO to hot showers. Lukewarm water is better for preventing moisture loss in dry skin. Read more on winter skincare routine for dry skin now.

Winter Care For Combination Skin

Combination skin can be tricky to manage as it has both oily and dry areas. Balance your winter skincare regime for combination skin by:

• Multi-masking: Apply a hydrating mask to dry areas and a clay mask to oily zones for a customised approach.
• Lightweight hydration: Use lightweight lotions on oily areas and richer creams on drier patches to maintain balance.
• Spot-treat dry areas: Apply richer products to dry zones without overwhelming oily areas.

Winter skincare requires a little extra effort, but the results are worth it. By following a best-suited skincare routine for winter and incorporating these helpful tips, you can keep your skin hydrated, nourished, and protected throughout the colder months. Remember, the key to radiant winter skin is consistent care, plenty of moisture, and gentle products. So, without further ado, browse a wide range of Lancôme skincare products and explore our skincare magazine to face the winter chill with confidence and glowing skin. You can also head to the Lancôme E-Skin Expert tool to find more about your skin type and discover a tailored skincare routine with ease.