10/10/24-Should You Change Your Skincare Products in The Winter?

It happens every year, like clockwork. The sun sets a little earlier, the leaves start to change, we start eating more soups and stews and sweets.  We trade A/C for heated blankets, beach days for strolls through orchards, and our favorite summer sandals for the coziest boots.
But, what’s happening to our bodies? On our skin? You may immediately notice a dull appearance, flaky, textured patches or even a tight, straight up dry feeling that you can’t seem to get the hang of. These conditions might not be new to you– but chillier weather will certainly exacerbate them. 

So I pose the question: Should you change your skincare routine in the winter?

The short answer is…yes! You might need to– but not the whole thing. Let’s talk about it. 

Year-round, we experience a natural process on our skin (not just our face, but our entire body) known as Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL for short). It’s exactly what it sounds like– your body is losing water through your skin. I know what you’re thinking… “I drink so much water” or the opposite “I know, I don’t drink enough water”

The truth is, your level of water consumption is a great contributor to your body’s overall hydration– but your skin only receives a trickle of the water you drink. Think about it, everything you eat and drink has to pass through the stomach, liver, kidneys, etc (these organs have their own jobs of course) what’s left for your skin to have? Remember your skin is your body’s largest organ! So it’s going to take alota bit of work to get and keep it hydrated– especially when TEWL is happening as well. It’s a bit more than drinking your water, moisturizing and minding your business. We’ll talk about the difference between hydrating & moisturizing later. 

Anyway–TEWL becomes more worrisome in cooler weather. As humidity drops, wind picks up, we run the heat in our homes and cars, the perfect drying environment builds around our precious little skin cells. Not to mention that TEWL also progresses with age and if your skin barrier is damaged(again, we’ll discuss this later)– you might be in trouble!

Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized in chillier months can be a challenge– but with small tweaks to your routine, you can build a fortress to assist your skin with keeping water in.

Scan your current products for hydrators. Are you using a hydrasol or facial mist(not a toner)? What about any serums directed to hydration? Does your cleanser also have an exfoliating agent(this can be a sneaky one!). 
Consider incorporating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid– which 1) occurs naturally in our skin and 2)binds to water to help your skin keep it in. Other top ingredient choices would include algae or seaweed extracts, glycerin, panthenol and honey! In your lifestyle, consider a small humidifier in your bedroom, or even adding a hydration supplement such as Liquid IV to your water to increase your body’s overall hydration. 

Need to make some changes and wondering where to start? Of course I have a recommendation for you at the studio. Circadia’s Blueberry & White Tea Hydrating Mist is an easy add– you just spray it on after cleansing, or spray it into your palms and press it into the skin. 
A great serum option is Circadia’s Moisture on Demand. It’s exactly what it sounds like! MOISTURE ON DEMAND. LOL. 

Lastly, a great choice for your moisturizing step is Naturopathica’s Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream This is a rich botanical cream, filled with hydrators AND soothing ingredients to calm even the most sensitive skin.

As always, DM me with your questions and I hope this helps you when deciding if you should switch things up this Fall!