the cold front fix

Cold, frigid temps are here and no matter what part of the country you live in, you’re most likely getting pelted with some form of unpleasant, skin drying winter weather. And while souping up your nighttime moisturizer and adding a hyaluronic acid serum to your morning skincare routine is helpful, there are other steps you can take to really give your skin a fighting chance at staying hydrated and flake-free this season. The one key tip you need to know about for your skin this winter? L-A-Y-E-R-I-N-G. Adding the right combo of skincare layers (and working from thinnest to thickest) will have a massive impact on your skin’s hydration levels and might even prevent that tight, red skin we’re all so familiar with this time of year.

Wanna know the exact tool kit you need? From lightweight essences to do-it-all balms, we’ve got all your bases covered.

DROP IN

The first step to achieving ultra-hydrated skin in, and throughout, deep winter is getting an essence, face mist or toner in the mix. Spritzing or splashing your face with a hydrating formula will give you a head start on a plump, juicy complexion. These liquid formulas also help to replenish a freshly-cleansed face, and allow for nourishing ingredients to trickle into the deeper layers of the epidermis to bump up hydration levels.

We love a classic rosewater face mist for soothing hydration, but you can also look for ones made with oodles of hyaluronic acid for more intense quenching or antioxidant-rich formulas that can elevate radiance and recovery from environmental stressors.

If your curious about essences, check out the the latest issue of VITA MAGAZINE. We shared more about these watery wonders, including what they can add to your skincare routine and what type of formula you should look for based on your skin’s needs.

Grease Lightning

Once you’ve given skin a helping of a hydrating mist or essence, and followed up with an antioxidant serum and moisturizing cream, applying a layer of face oil over top of it all can make a big difference during cold weather. Oils work so well to protect and support the skin because the epidermis is made up, in part, of lipids (i.e. oils). So, while you may think an oil may be too much for your skin, it could be the very thing it’s craving for function and resilience.

A face oil can act as a top coat with a two-way benefit, by sitting on the surface of the skin it helps to seal in hydrating ingredients from formulas that have been previously applied and it also prevents water loss that escapes from within skin and out through the skin barrier. Whether you’re dealing with major flaky, irritation and dryness or just minor dehydration (aka skin that looks a bit dull and feels kinda tight), putting a face oil into rotation can help to quell the seasonal skin conditions that creep up for many of us at this time of year.

Choosing the right face oil formula is just as important as learning how to use a face oil – which we’ve covered in Talk Beauty To Me, so check it out for great tips and tricks. Unlike the bottle of olive or avocado oil in your kitchen that relies on the extract of a single ingredient, a face oil is typically a balanced blend of multiple oils and key skincare ingredients that’s been made to suit a certain skin need. From brightening to pore-clearing and firming, there are glistening blends for every one, and lots that offer a lightweight finish that doesn't leave a slick feel.

Balm Me Up

Did you know that balms can be a complete game-changer for any winter self-care routine? Not only are they incredible at sealing in moisture and especially handy at healing tricky dry spots (like around the nose), but they can also work wonders on pesky flyaways and flaky cuticles. Because balms have a higher oil-to-water make up than a typical moisturizer does, instead of getting absorbed into the skin (and then slowly evaporating out), they sit on top of the skin and act as an occlusive, preventing moisture from escaping and therefore keeping you hydrated for longer. This means they are an absolute must for drier skin but can make an impact in preventing and repairing chapped, flaky patches for any skin type.

Due to the thicker, emollient texture of balms, many of them may not be the type of product you’re going to apply all over your face (but honestly, we also love a good skin slugging now and again). They might be something that you use more sparingly just on certain areas of your face that need a little extra TLC. On super cold nights during the winter when skin is particularly zapped, or when traveling and your skin is screaming for moisture, apply a thin coat of a balm on chronically dry under-eyes or around your nose (even more so if you’ve had the sniffles), and skin is instantly softer. After a few applications you’ll see a big difference, we promise. A few key ingredients to scan labels for include lanolin, glycerin, ceramides, beeswax, shea butter, seed oils, squalane and petrolatum.

For on the go touch-ups (think: dry cuticles, chapped lips and frizzy hat hair), reach for a stick format or one that comes in a small tin for no-mess application.

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