The cold weather, as well as dry indoor heating, can take a toll on your skin, causing everything from taut and irritated skin, to windburn and skin flaking. Most of us need to change our winter skincare routine to accommodate changing weather conditions. While dry skin often gets the most stressed during the winter, even oily and combination skin types can get dehydrated and irritated.
When creating a winter skincare routine, look for the following power players that will give your skin the moisture it needs:
- Hyaluronic Acid: This powerful humectant is naturally found in the skin, and attracts water to the upper layers of the stratum corneum. It has the ability to hold 1000 times its weight in water, making it one of the most in-demand skincare ingredients today. Hyaluronic acid is great for all skin types because it feels practically weightless, and can be used in everything from light serums to heavy creams. Products containing multiple forms of hyaluronic acid will be the most effective.
- Oils and Lipids: Don’t be afraid of using oils in your skincare routine! Janssen Cosmetics products use botanical oils that are non-comedogenic (they won’t clog your pores), and oils do a great job moisturizing and protecting your skin against the harsh elements. In addition, lipids like squalane and cholesterol strengthen the skin’s natural barrier function.
- Antioxidants: Irritated and depleted skin needs to be restored with nourishing antioxidants, which protect skin by scavenging damaging free radicals. Look for vitamins C and E that smooth the skin and reverse damage, as well antioxidant-rich plant extracts such as magnolia, sunflower, lupine, and green algae.
- SPF: Even in the winter, the most damage to the skin is caused by the sun. Don’t forget to wear a daily broad-spectrum SPF.
When switching to a winter skincare routine, consider trying these Janssen Cosmetics products:
Caviar Extract Ampoule: The Caviar ampoule contains both hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich caviar extract. The naturally-occurring amino acids and antioxidants in caviar extract encourage cell regeneration and replenish stressed skin.
Aquatense Moisture Gel: The deeply hydrating Aquatense Moisture Gel has a light texture and contains moisturizers like hyaluronic acid and panthenol, as well as other goodies like green algae extract and vitamin C. It immediately infuses skin with moisture, without weighing it down like a heavy cream. If you have dry skin, you can use this gel in combination with a thicker cream. Use the Aquatense gel just before your cream step during your nightly skincare routine to further boost your layers of hydration. For oilier skin types, the Aquatense Gel can be used on its own as a moisturizer.
Calming Sensitive Cream: The Calming Sensitive Cream is a soothing moisturizer, ideal for protecting your skin around the clock from irritants and harsh weather. It contains a plant complex that soothes redness, itchiness, and irritation, as well as squalane, a moisturizing and protective lipid similar to the lipids found naturally in the skin.
Face Oil: Winter is the perfect time to introduce a facial oil into your skincare routine. The Janssen Cosmetics face oil has a light texture and won’t feel greasy. It features macadamia oil, squalane, and soothing chamomile extract. Rub a few drops between your hands and press gently into the skin, or try mixing a few drops of the oil into your moisturizer to give it an extra boost.
Often in the winter, it helps to add extra layers of hydration and moisture, so don’t hesitate to use several layers of a single product, or layer several products on top of each other, to achieve optimal moisture levels. Find the right combination of winter skincare products, and your skin will be plump and glowing right until spring!