How to care for your skin in cold weather? Top 6 mistakes and what to do if cream doesn't help?

In autumn and winter, our skin changes for the worse—it becomes dry, inflamed, and may develop an uneven complexion.

Let’s discuss the Top 6 mistakes people make in their skincare routine and how to avoid the consequences of improper care.

1. Applying cream before going outside. After applying cream, you should wait at least 30 minutes for it to absorb and form a protective barrier on the skin.


2. Not using SPF protection. Sun protection is important for the skin year-round. Even though the sun isn't as harsh in winter as it is in summer, using a cream with SPF is essential because UV rays can still affect you in the shade.

3. Aggressive cleansing. In winter, your skin requires gentler care. Avoid harsh products and opt for milder ones instead.

4. Using summer products. In winter, it’s better to use a rich cream with a thick texture.

5. Insufficient hydration. Your skin needs extra hydration in winter. Use nourishing masks and patches; masks containing aloe are especially effective for hydration.

6. Overusing alcohol-based products. These can dry out the skin's protective lipid barrier and lead to peeling.

For personalized skincare recommendations during the colder months, I recommend consulting a cosmetologist.

How different is skincare in winter compared to summer?

Spring and summer bring sunshine and warmth, but behind those pleasant rays lie dangers for the skin. Winter and autumn bring frost and wind, which can also negatively affect our skin if we don’t choose the right care.

What are the differences in skincare routines between winter and summer?

1. Moisturization.

• Summer Care: Lightweight, fast-absorbing creams with a water base or gel textures. These do not overload the skin and help prevent oily shine.

• Winter Care: Rich, nourishing creams containing oils and lipids to restore the lipid barrier and protect against frost and wind.

2. Cleansing.

• Summer Care: Light cleansing products that remove excess sebum.

• Winter Care: Gentle cleansing oils or cream-gels that do not dry out the skin.

3. Environmental Protection.

• Summer Care: Special attention to UV protection—SPF 30 and above.

• Winter Care: SPF 15-30 is sufficient, especially on snowy or sunny days. It’s important to protect the skin from windburn and low temperatures using nourishing creams.

4. Pore Cleansing.

• Summer Care: Use of light acid peels to prevent breakouts.

• Winter Care: In winter, you can more confidently use products with ingredients that are "not friendly" with the sun, such as serums with retinol and more active acid peels.

5. Barrier Functions.

• Summer Care: Lightweight serums with antioxidants to protect against oxidative stress and sun damage.

• Winter Care: Serums with ceramides to strengthen the skin's protective barrier and retain moisture.

To better understand your skin's needs depending on the season, it’s advisable to consult an experienced cosmetologist. A specialist can help you determine what your skin is lacking and recommend the appropriate care.

How important is sun protection in winter?

It is very important.
It's a myth that sunlight cannot harm you during the winter months.

UVB rays impact the skin very superficially, causing tanning and burns when overheated.

On the other hand, UVA rays penetrate much deeper, reaching the middle layer of the dermis and causing damage to the underlying fibers and intercellular substances.

Winter is no different from summer in this regard, so SPF creams should be used year-round. However, in winter, a single application of SPF 30 in the morning is usually sufficient.

What cosmetic procedures can help maintain skin health during the cold season?

Winter is a great time to take care of your skin health, as cosmetic procedures have many more limitations in the summer due to intense sun exposure.

1. Peels
Winter is an excellent time for chemical peels. The main principle behind peels of any type is controlled damage to the skin's surface and the removal of the upper layer of dead skin cells. This process stimulates regenerative mechanisms, renews cells, and accelerates the synthesis of elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. After a peel, the skin becomes healthier and smoother, fine lines and pigmentation spots diminish, and pores appear smaller.

2. Mesotherapy
As mentioned earlier, winter skin suffers from frost and dry indoor air. Mesotherapy is one of the best solutions for this issue.
The positive results of mesotherapy are noticeable after the first session: the skin becomes firmer and more elastic, fine wrinkles decrease, and the complexion improves.

3. Biorevitalization
Winter is an ideal time for biorevitalization treatments. During this season, the body tolerates the procedure better than in hot summer months, although there are no strict time restrictions for it.
The positive effects are visible after the first session and intensify with each subsequent treatment:

• The skin gains hydration and density;

• The face acquires a healthy and beautiful tone;

• Skin firmness and elasticity are restored;

• Metabolic processes normalize.

4. Skin Massage
Facial massage is a rejuvenating procedure that not only relaxes tense muscles and tones weakened ones but also improves blood circulation. This enhances arterial blood flow, providing skin cells with more oxygen and nutrients. Improved venous blood and lymphatic drainage helps reduce puffiness, while enhanced circulation contributes to slowing down the aging process.

How Does Using a Humidifier Affect Your Skin?

What happens when humidity levels are too low? Our bodies begin to lose moisture rapidly. This is especially problematic for those who often forget to drink enough water.

Dry air can lead to overall discomfort, headaches, and other issues, including dry skin.

So, what happens to the skin when the air around us is dry?

It starts to lose moisture actively, which cannot be replenished by any cream. Why is that?

Because a moisturizing cream becomes effective due to the presence of hydrating ingredients.

These ingredients work on the principle that their molecules attract water molecules (for example, from the air externally and from the deeper layers of the skin internally). For moisturizing to be effective, there needs to be enough water in both the body and the air.

If there isn’t enough moisture in the air, the molecules of hydrating agents (like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and urea) will actively draw moisture only from the skin, thereby dehydrating it and the body as a whole.

No moisturizing cream can solve this issue on its own, and you might find yourself searching for the reason behind persistent skin dryness for a long time.

Place a humidifier in your bedroom and definitely on your desk if you spend most of your time in an office.

What Nutritional Recommendations Can Further Support Skin Health in Cold Weather?

1. Pomegranate Seeds
Pomegranate seeds are rich in antioxidant compounds that protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays. They help combat inflammation and improve blood microcirculation.

2. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is packed with vitamins, including vitamin A. Vitamin A aids in the regeneration of the dermis. Thanks to beta-carotene, it provides an effective protective barrier, moisturizing and nourishing skin cells.

3. Kale
Just one cup of chopped kale meets the daily requirement for vitamin A (for skin cell renewal) and vitamin C (to boost collagen production and improve skin tone).

4. Eggs
Regularly including eggs in your diet ensures that your skin receives essential doses of vitamin D.

5. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits can revitalize your complexion and enhance skin tone. Oranges, lemons, grapefruits, limes, and other aromatic "relatives" are rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that gives the skin a radiant glow.

6. Fish
Seafood is one of the best dietary sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids work at the cellular level to maintain lipid balance in cell membranes, helping the dermis retain more moisture.

7. Sunflower Seeds
These are a super source of vitamin E, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity.

(c) Author: Karina Movsesyan