During the winter our skin has the tendency of changing, I know for my skin which is Normal to Combination skin type suddenly changes to a Dry Skin type, the reason being is because during the winter the air is more drying and it begins to take a toll on our skin.
How to do your makeup in winter with dry skin?
- Vitamins
- Hydration
- Cleanser
- Exfoliator
- toner
- Serum
- Facemasks
- Eye Creams
- Face Oil
- Foundation For Winter
- Lips
- Cream Stick Formulations
- Waterproof Mascara
- Waterproof Eyeliner
- Setting Sprays
I have put together some tips which can help save your skin during the winter months making your skin winter proof this will hopefully help your skin
#1: Vitamins
When it comes to skin care it’s important to remember it’s not only what we put on top of our skin it’s also what we put into our body. Certain vitamins can really help benefit our skin’s appearance. Vitamins are usually taken through foods or even in a capsule form. Some of the vitamins that help boost our skin are vitamin A, B3, B5, C, D, and E.
Vitamin A can be found in such veggies like Leafy greens, pumpkins, Sweet Potatoes, bell pepper, and broccoli. The benefits of having vitamin A in your diet is it helps build collegian and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help reduce clogged pores.
Vitamin B3 can be found in leafy greens such as broccoli and asparagus and meats like salmon, chicken, turkey and many other types of meat. Vitamin B3 helps with wrinkles and uneven skin. It also helps reduce and heal acne and helps reduce hyperpigmentation with the skin.
Vitamin B5 can be found in foods such as avocados, mushrooms, lentils, and sweet potatoes. It’s known to help skin with its elasticity.
Vitamin C can be found in citrus foods such as lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines. It benefits the skin by fighting UVA rays which can be harmful to the skin, it also helps the skin become more plum ( collagen production) which prevents fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin D is a vitamin that some of us lack living in the northern hemisphere because we may not be able to expose our skin to the sun during the winter time. It’s really important that we eat foods that are high in vitamin D otherwise we can start to develop skin problems such as eczema. The best thing to try out in such circumstances is consulting with a doctor for advice if you can take supplements to help have this important vitamin in your system.
Another way to get these vitamins in our system is by looking at supplement products that can help with skin, hair, and nails. I found that these types of products really do help the skin look beautifully with continuous use. This is something if you do consider taking it but always consult with your doctor. I personally started taking these vitamins and saw that my skins complexion and appearance did change over time. (check out my review)
#2: Hydration
During the winter the air tends to be dry inside and outside. Our skin can really take a beating from this kind of dry air causing our skin to become dry and flakey. It’s important that we also hydrate our bodies with water so our skin doesn’t dehydrate. Our body is made up of 60% water so it’s always a good idea to keep the body hydrated because our skin is apart of our bodies and would benefit from hydration.
Drinking water can also help clear skin because it helps remove toxins from the body that help create acne. Therefore, this is one of the many benefits as to why drinking water can do our bodies are good.
#3: Cleanser
Using a daily cleanser has its benefits, as it is one of the important skincare regimes we should encounter during the winter months. Because our skin is drier during the winter its also a good idea to look at cleansers that provide more moisture. By adding more moisture to the skin it can help prevent dryness on the face such as dry patches and uneven skin on the face that we can get during the winter time.
A hydrating cleanser can help add moisture into the skin why cleansing the skin from any dirt and residue that may be sitting on top of the skin and in the pores. I personally know from being a former Beauty Adviser that using a cleanser with extra hydration was always is recommended for mature skin because it has the tendency to be more drying.
#4: Exfoliator
By exfoliating the face at least once or twice a week can help remove dead skin cells that may sit on top of the skin. A build-up of dry skin may clog pores and also create acne. By exfoliating the skin we can prevent acne and dry patchiness on the skin. Our makeup can look horrible if we put it on top of the dry skin that maybe patchy. It will end up accentuating the texture of the dryness on the skin. By using an exfoliate we can buff away these dead skin cells.
There are three ways to exfoliate dead skin cells which is by having a cleanser with microbeads (which can be grainy in texture) that can cleanse the face along with exfoliating the skin, using a buffer and using a brush buffer(which is an electronic brush). The buffer that I personally use is by The Body Shop it’s a sponge that has some texture which helps remove dead skin cells off the skin, it can also be used with my daily cleanser and it’s also gentle enough to use every day.
An electronic buffer is also another great way to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, the product is electronic and have brush heads attached to them. Definitely check out the Clarisonic Mia Smart device I wrote about here.
When exfoliating the face its always good to make sure you use the exfoliator in a circular motion. The circular motion will help buff away the dead skin cells and helps blood circulate to the surface of the skin. By adding this step you should see instant results with the skin’s texture. This should help create a smooth surface for your skin.
An example of a good exfoliator would be The Body Shops Vitamin Glow-Boosting Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Face Scrub. This exfoliator has crushed garnet stones which help remove dead skin to help bring out a more radiant and brighter complexion. It uses the power of vitamin C to help with collagen and helps fight environmental damages. This should be done at least once to twice a week, try not to do this every day as it will irritate the skin.
If you’re looking for a more gentle approach to exfoliate your face its worth trying out The Body Shops Gentle Buffing Exfoliator, this is a soft textured sponge that requires you to use with your cleanser. How I personally use it is by applying a few drops of my cleanser to the Gentle Buffing Exfoliator and on my damp skin, I buff away dead skin cells. I usually do this step in a circular motion to get the best results.
The Clarisonic is an electrical cleansing device that uses various types of brush heads that clean the skin to applying makeup on. For the purpose of using as an exfoliator, it works with your daily cleanser to buff away dead skin cells off the surface of the skin. The electronic brush removes the dead skin cells by working in a circular motion. You don’t need to put much pressure on the brush because it’s doing all the work for you. This product works well with removing makeup and by exfoliating the skin.
#5: Toner
Using a toner during the winter time can do wonders on your skin. Toners usually help balance the skin pH level of the skin by balancing the oils in your skin. If your skin is too oily using a toner that helps absorb oils would help the skin. In the case of more drier skin, a toner that has more moisturizing agents can also help hydrate dry skin. A toner also helps remove any residue that sits on top of your skin that your cleanser may have not removed. I find by adding this step it helps clean the skin while allowing hydration to go within the skin.
The best way to use a toner would be after you have cleansed your face, its best to apply the toner to a cotton bud and to wipe your face down with the toner. Your skin should feel more refreshed and hydrated right away. This prepares your skin for further hydration. A good tip for a toner to work well during the winter time is by using a toner that is alcohol-free because alcohol will make your skin drier.
A good hydrating toner I find works well is The Body Shops British Rose Petal-Soft Gel Toner.
This toner has real rose petals in it and has Aloe Vera, both these ingredients hydrate the skin by entering the pores leaving a refreshed hydrated feeling.
#6: Serum
A serum is something that is essential during the winter months. Serums usually help deliver moisture to the skin. Some serums work well on their own but work better with a moisturizer. When you have cleansed and toned your skin applying toner on top of the skin will help hydrate your skin even further. A serum usually binds your moisturizer into the first layers of your skin.
I usually take a few drops of serum and massage it into my face. Immediately, you will find your skin will look more hydrated and will have more of a sheen. A face serum should be used during the day before your daily face cream and at night before applying the night cream.
A good example of an everyday serum is Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair. This serum can be used both in the morning and evening time on top of cleansed skin. It helps repair cells on the skin.
#7: Face Masks
Face masks should be done at least once a week. This is another way of really detoxing the skin while hydrating and pampering the skin. Face masks usually change the texture of the skin for a few days. During the winter it’s wise to use face masks that will be hydrating to the skin. Face masks usually help remove impurities out of the skin and cleanse the pores.
However its always good to look into hydrating face masks during the winter to keep the skin soft and supple and hydrated. Face masks usually require 10-25 mins on top of cleansed skin. This allows hydration to penetrate into the skin. Most face masks also help remove dead skin cells depending on the ingredients.
A good example of hydrating masks would be The Body Shop’s British Rose Fresh Plumping Face Mask. This face mask helps moisturize and tone and soothe the skin it leaves the skin with a dewy finish.
DIY Face mask for dry skin:
1: 1/2 cup of warm water
2: 2 tablespoons of honey- is one of the best natural moisturizers
3: 1/3 of oats- helps soothe the skin and works as an anti-inflammatory.
4: 2 spoons of yogurt or cream of milk- helps bring the skins natural glow to the surface.
5: Mix these four ingredients together and leave it on your face for 15 mins so it can hydrate your skin.
6: Moisturizers Day and Night
It’s essential to use a day time moisturizer along with a night-time moisturizer. Because the winter really dehydrates the skin applying moisturizer to the skin is essential. During the day its ideal to make sure your moisturizer has an SPF of at least 15 to prevent UVA UVB rays damage. Yes, our skin can still get damaged in the winter by the sun hydrating the skin with a moisturizer will help prevent dry patches, windburn, flakiness, and roughness. Your daily moisturizer should always be applied on top of the serum to achieve the best hydration.
It’s also essential to apply a thicker moisturizer on the skin at night. The night time is when our skin recharges and repairs itself so by applying a good hydrating night cream our skin can majorly benefit from it during the day as well.
A good hydrating lightweight day cream I use for my skin is Day Wear By Estee Lauder. This day cream sinks into the skin leaving a beautiful glow behind. It has many antioxidants that help fight against environmental damage. It also has an SPF of 15.
The night-time cream that I currently use is Estee Lauder’s Nutritious Vitality 8 after I have cleansed and applied a serum I apply this cream on top of my skin for additional hydration. This moisturizer is also packed with antioxidants and skin loving ingredients that allow the skin to have a beautiful glow.
#9: Eye Creams
It’s really important to not neglect the eye area. This is the area where the skin is thinnest and during the winter it can take a beating with the dry bitter cold weather. It is so important to keep the eye area hydrated so that the skin doesn’t dry up. If we don’t hydrate the eye area the consequences can be crucial and result in dry lines which become wrinkles which is where crow feet begin to show in the area. To prevent this from happening its good to use an eye cream. Eye creams are more hydrating than a moisturizer and are usually formulated to hydrate the thin skin around the eyes. A lot of the eye creams to hydrate and brighten the eye area which also helps the skin look plumper.
A good example of great eye cream is Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream. This particular eye cream can be used during the day under concealer which helps hydrate and brightens the eye area. It can also be used at night where it helps with dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles.
#10: Face Oils
Face oils are another option if you’re not sure about using a face serum, it goes on the face drier and not greasy. Essentially it has a similar purpose of serum just not as heavy. Some face oils can be used during the day under a moisturizer or with the moisturizer it gives and takes depending on the various brands out there. Face oils usually keep the face feeling velvety and not sticky or greasy.
#11: What Type Of Foundation Is Best For Dry Skin
Best foundation formulations for winter
Once the skin care portion has been taken care of and we have a nice and hydrated, plumped skin we can now look at applying makeup. There are certain formulations of the foundation we should look at to apply to our skin during the winter months. It’s best to avoid foundations that are oil-free and powdered formulations because formulations like this can accentuate the textures on our skin. The three main formulations to go for when it comes to our foundation are:
Gels foundations are more of a gel-based texture they usually have more serums infused into them which help hydrate the skin and help the skin appear more and have a more dewy finish. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum is a good example of a gel foundation.
Cream foundations have a lot of hydration in them due to the formulation. Cream-based foundations are typically full coverage and can provide additional hydration to the skin leaving a dewy like finish as well. One of my favorite cream foundations is Mac ’s full coverage foundation.
Liquid foundations usually settle in well with dry skin. Certain formulas will have skin care ingredients that can also help with hydration. One of my favorite liquid foundations is It Cosmetics CC cream which is a full coverage foundation with many skincare benefits.
Lastly, it’s also good to look at foundations that have illumination in them because it can give tired dull looking skin a boost. Illuminators in a foundation can give the skin a healthy hydrated glow which is ideal for the winter time.
#12: Lips
When it comes to the winter the one feature on our face that seems to suffer a lot is the lips. The lips get really dehydrated because the air is dry and we constantly are licking our lips in which the saliva can make it worse. The best thing to do during the winter periods is to exfoliate the lips to remove dead skin cells. once that is done then its wise to keep a good hydrating lip balm at hand and to continuously use it throughout the day to keep the lips hydrated. Always apply lip balm at night before going to bed for soft and supple lips in the morning.
#13: Cream Lipstick Formulations
Another good time is to look at wearing lipsticks which are more cream formulations because it will help with hydration. Avoid wearing matte lipsticks as they won’t hydrate the lips and can accentuate dry lines on the lips. It’s important to keep the lips hydrated and looking juicy and supply during the winter months.
Some good lipstick formulations to consider during the winter is Mac’s Cream Sheen and Lustre formulations. These formulations keep the lips hydrated and leave a nice sheen on the lips.
#14: Waterproof mascara
During the winter months, the wind can be really rough. It can even make our eyes water ruining the mascara look. There is nothing worse than having running mascara smudged all around the eyes. By using waterproof mascara it can avoid the look of raccoon eyes which is caused by smudged mascara.
#15: Waterproof eyeliner
The wind can also ruin eyeliner. There have been many times I used a normal eyeliner and found that the winter wind caused my eyes to water also ruining my liquid liner. Over the years I personally found certain waterproof eyeliners that won’t budge unless I took it off myself with a makeup remover. The one eyeliner that never fails for me is IT Cosmetics Liner Love which is a waterproof gel liner this eyeliner stays put once it settles into the skin.
#16: Setting Sprays
If you’re still going to be using a setting spray to complete your make up it’s important to use a setting spray. It’s best to use a setting spray to keep everything intact. It would be wise to use a setting spray that leaves the skin with a dewy finish or a luminous finish. This will give the illusion that your skin is hydrated and luminous which can be a very flattering look during the winter months.
The one I currently use is the MAC prep and prime fix plus, this helps with my makeup melting together.
Urban Decay has a setting spray in Chill which is known to keep makeup on all day while hydrating the skin.