Winter skincare 101: your skin type and the products you need
The slightest change in environment can impact your skin, and for most, the change of seasons means going from a summer to a winter skincare routine. It’s a popular myth that only those with dry skin need to alter their routine, when in fact, all skin types need to adjust the products they use to adapt to the change in weather.
It can be tricky to know how to make your skincare products work best for you during winter, and I am going to share my tips on how to keep your skin glowing during the cooler months of the year.
The first thing you need to do is get rid of that foaming cleanser! It is full of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), chemicals which strip the skin of the hard working oils that are in your skin, and which it will rely on during the winter months. Look for something that is completely natural, with no toxic chemicals that won’t irritate your skin, like our Clarify Me cleansing minerals or Nourish Me cleansing oil.
Your custom winter skincare routine
The type of products you use will be determined by your skin type (dry, oily, normal, combination, anti-ageing). There are some key things to do during winter that is applicable for all skin types:
- Have warm showers, not hot, as tempting as it may be
- Wear an SPF – just because you can’t see the sun, doesn’t mean it’s not there
- Always use an eye treatment and lip balm. The skin under our eyes is thin and prone to damage, so keep it moisturised and protected; while our lips do not have natural moisture so it’s up to us to ensure it stays hydrated at all times
- Drink more water
- Increase your vitamin C intake – not only will it help your immune system, but it will also provide a boost for your skin during the winter months (see footer for more information on vitamin C)
To make it easier for you to navigate adapting your skincare routine for winter, I’ve created the below chart with a recommended earth4me routine for your skin type:
Winter skincare for dry skin
Cleanse | Exfoliate | Tone | Serum | Moisturise | Eye and Lip | Mask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clarify Me Cleansing Minerals | Refine Me exfoliating grains | Floral Me toning mist | Activate Me Vitamin C serum | Whipped Serum balm | Nil | |
Tips for use | ||||||
Double cleans if your skin is feeling sluggish | Use 2-3 times a week; removing dry skin regularly will allow your skin to absorb serums and moisturisers better | A toner will keep skin hydrated and allow serums to absorb into the skin better | Vitamin C locks in key antioxidants to keep skin feeling hydrated all day | Dry skins need to switch to a heavier balm, rather than a cream | Use eye serum twice a day, and lip salve as needed (doubles as a cuticle salve) | Nil |
People with dry skin dread the winter season and with good reason. The winter air lacks moisture, which means your skincare products need to be replenishing and moisturising your skin throughout the day and night.
A common problem for those with dry skin is finding a moisturiser that is heavy enough to keep the skin hydrated and nourished. Having naturally dehydrated skin myself, I’m very familiar with the issues we face during the colder months. That’s why I created the new Whipped Serum Balm which contains beeswax and will help retain the moisture in your skin during the day.
It’s also important to apply your serums and moisturiser while your skin is still damp, for better absorption.
Winter skincare for oily skin
Cleanse | Exfoliate | Tone | Serum | Moisturise | Eye and Lip | Mask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Refine Me exfoliating grains | Charcoal Me toning mist | Activate Me Vitamin C serum | Hydrate Me organic facial milk | Detox Me face mask | ||
Tips for use | ||||||
If your skin is feeling extra oily, leave the cleanser on for ten minutes as the coconut powder will diminish the extra oil. You can double cleanse with the Nourish Me oil cleanser, as oil breaks down dirt and bacteria, and has a unique pulling and drawing action. The oil cleanser also contains tea tree oil, which has antiseptic properties. | Use twice a week to remove excess oil, which will allow skin to shed naturally and decrease build-up in your pores | Tightens and reduces pore size | Vitamin C aids in protecting, healing and producing new skin cells | Contains tea tree and lavender essential oils to heal and protect | Use eye serum twice a day, and lip salve as needed (doubles as a cuticle salve) | Use twice a week to balance skin’s oil production |
Individuals with naturally oily, greasy skin may feel inclined to rejoice, thinking winter can help their skin to become normal.
Even if you have oily skin, the skin’s oil production is sent into overdrive and releases more oil which compounds the problem by clogging pores and causing inflammation or irritation. The main focus should be on keeping skin clean and not letting it get dehydrated, and that’s why regular exfoliation and using a mask twice a week is important for oily skin.
Winter skincare for normal, combination and anti-ageing
Cleanse | Exfoliate | Tone | Serum | Moisturise | Eye and Lip | Mask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clarify Me cleansing minerals | Refine Me exfoliating grains | Flower Me toning mist | Hydrate Me organic facial milk | Brighten Me Vitamin C face mask | ||
Tips for use | ||||||
The lactic acid from the goat and coconut milk will naturally exfoliate your skin | Use twice a week to boost collagen production | A natural humectant which will bind and increase moisture level in the skin | The Activate Me serum is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and amino acids; while the Treat Me Healing Serum contains an energising anti-ageing blend to slow down the ageing process, and firm and tone your skin | Filled with skin regenerating ingredients such as argan oil, kelp, gingko and aloe vera | Use eye serum twice a day, and lip salve as needed (doubles as a cuticle salve) | Contains 50% vitamin C and marine collagen, promoting the regeneration and formation of collagen, and reducing and diminishing the appearance of fine lines |
Being blessed with normal or combination skin is quite exciting, and while you may think you don’t need to change anything in your routine for winter, the opposite is true. Winter can wreak havoc on any skin type, so it’s important to make small changes to keep your skin in tip-top condition.
If you’re looking for products to maintain your skin and minimise signs of ageing, we can add anti-ageing blends that have been specifically designed with certain key ingredients into your products to maximise their effectiveness.
For this skin type, you will need to switch to a gentle cream cleanser, and use targeted serums and moisturisers. Massage and stimulate the skin regularly with our Rose Quartz stone facial roller, with benefits including lymphatic drainage, reducing puffiness and inflammation, improve blood circulation as well as helping your serums penetrate deeper.
The importance of vitamin supplements
To complement your skincare, I recommend taking vitamin supplements, in particular zinc and vitamin C. With our lifestyle, the daily grind and general day-to-day routine, vitamin supplements will give our bodies and skin that support to stay nourished and protected.
Zinc is well-known as important for skin fuction, and studies have shown that 80% of people suffering from acne were low in zinc, and once they increased their zinc levels through supplements, their acne improved immensely.
Vitamin C is a staple in my household, and with good reason. It is one of the vitamins our bodies do not produce naturally, so it’s so important to take it to keep our immunity levels up and assist in the skin healing process. Andrew Saul, a qualified orthomolecular scientist, recommends taking 5000mg of vitamin C a day, split throughout the day and taken with meals.
Natasha Brock is a trained beauty therapist and skincare specialist with over 15 years experience in New Zealand and Australia. In addition to offering customised skin care products, she runs a clinic in Port Hedland, Western Australia.
