Although the lowering temps mean that holidays are around the corner and it’s time to break out our chic boots and hats, the winter weather doesn’t bring that same wonder to our skin. The harsh winds and dry air, not to mention indoor heaters, all zap the moisture from your skin leaving it looking dull, dehydrated, and even reddened or irritated - but not if you’re prepared. There are plenty of swaps and additions that you can make to your everyday skincare routine that will make a huge difference in your appearance and will leave you just as glistening as a winter wonderland.
We love foaming cleansers- in fact, ours is one of our most popular products. Foaming cleansers are great for oily skin, but during the winter, use sparingly to preserve your skin’s moisture and consider swapping it out for, or balancing it with La Parfait’s Vitamin C Cleanser that hydrates and nourishes your skin while gently exfoliating and dissolving dull surface cells.
Germs run rampant in the winter, and that usually means extra handwashing this season. But that excessive amount of hand soap dries out our skin, leaving it rough and damaged. You can help prevent scaly hands by applying lotion after each time that you wash your hands, to replenish the moisture lost. Also, if your hands don’t have to come in contact with the water, don’t! Use gloves when washing dishes or other water-related activities. Consider La Parfait’s Body Revive Lotion, it’s lightweight, non-greasy and enriched with the four most powerful moisturizing ingredients: Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Green Tea and Vitamin E.
Lotions, the lightest option when it comes to what you put on your face, feel nice and light in the summer, but they are no match for winter weather. Harsh conditions call for heavier replenishment, so if your skin is feeling tight, dry, or flaking, you’ll want to switch to a cream. Scientifically speaking, lotions are humectants, which means they are low-molecular-weight materials that extract water from the air and into the skin and, in the harshest weather, may not be strong enough for the winter. Creams usually fall into the category of emollients, which help skin barrier function, or occlusives, which form a layer on the skin to block moisture from escaping. Our Advanced Renewal Day Cream is meant for everyday use, or you can rest as you replenish with La Parfait’s Advanced Skin Renewal Night Cream, a perfect pick to hydrate and boost your skin's elasticity.
The cold temperatures make it extra tempting to take a long, scorching shower or bath, but resist the urge - it’s doing damage to your skin. Just like with washing your hands, water strips your skin of its natural moisture, so cut down the time and temperature of your bathing. How do you know how hot is too hot? If your skin is turning red, it’s time to turn down the dial. Another tip to keep your skin hydrated is to apply a rich moisturizer all over your body as soon as you towel off. You’ll be even more effective if you use a dry brush along with it to manually exfoliate your skin.
Your clothing shouldn’t be the only thing coming in layers this winter season. Layering your skincare helps you to target multiple skin concerns at the same time, and prevents overdrying. For best practice, start with your lightest product first and layer up to your heaviest product. Ingredients that you want to look out for that really help soothe the skin are hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and botanicals. And even though it’s winter, one of your layers should have SPF in it - UV damage can still occur in the winter.
Hydration starts from within.
Don’t ice yourself out from achieving glowing, healthy holiday skin - a simple routine truly will do wonders for your face and body. And don’t forget to share your new flawless winter skincare routine with your friends - our products make great holiday gifts and stocking stuffers!
