As winter approaches, the chill in the air brings more than just the need to layer your clothing; it also requires changes in your skincare routine. Hydration becomes a key focus as those bitter and colder temperatures can significantly deplete your skin’s moisture levels. And when it comes to skin hydration, layering skincare products in the right order will help keep your skin nourished and protected throughout the season.
The Order of Layering for Optimal Hydration
During winter, your skin’s ceramides, which play a crucial role in maintaining moisture, are reduced. This can lead to dryness, flakiness, and a compromised skin barrier. By layering products, you can provide your skin with the necessary hydration at multiple levels.
Start with the lightest product first: a serum. Serums are formulated with smaller molecules that penetrate deeper into the skin, delivering essential moisture and nutrients where they’re needed most.
After your serum, gently apply your eye cream. The skin around your eyes is super delicate and often the first to show signs of dehydration, so it’s important to give it some extra TLC.
Next up is your moisturiser. This step will seal in all the hydration provided by your serum and eye cream creating a protective barrier against environmental factors. Make sure to let your moisturiser absorb fully before moving on to the next step.
For the final step, SPF, yes, even in winter! UV rays can still affect your skin, and protecting it is important all year round.
Tailoring Your Routine for Each Skin Type
Getting your routine right for your specific skin type will help you get the best possible results from the products you use and the treatments you have.
For those with oily skin, it’s a common misconception that they don’t need extra hydration. However, using a light, hydrating serum like the Alumier MD Ultimate Boost can keep the skin balanced without clogging pores. Follow this with a lightweight moisturiser such as HydraLight for night-time, or a mattifying product like Moisture Matte during the day to control shine.
If you have rosacea, soothing and protecting your skin is essential. Begin with the Ultimate Boost serum to hydrate, then layer on CalmR serum to calm redness and irritation. Finish with a rich moisturiser like HydraRich to lock in hydration and provide a soothing barrier against environmental stressors.
Remember, you can layer multiple serums to target different concerns. For example, oily skin can benefit from using both the Ultimate Boost and Clarifying serums before applying moisturiser and SPF. Tailoring your skincare routine in this way will result in each product working synergistically, giving your skin exactly what it needs during the colder months.
Extra Hydration Boosters for Seasonal Changes
In addition to your daily routine, adding extra hydration boosters can give your skin the nourishment it craves during winter. My recommendation would be the AlumierMD Aqua Infusion mask once a week for a surge of hydration. This mask is designed to deeply moisturise and revitalise your skin, giving it that extra boost to combat seasonal dryness.
One of my values is to make sure I adopt an inside-out approach to skincare with each of my clients. So for an internal option, the Balance Oil from Zinzino can help maintain your skin’s moisture levels. This supplement is rich in essential fatty acids, which support your skin’s natural barrier and hydration from the inside out.
For a salon treatment, the DermaluxLED would be my go-to. This advanced light therapy treatment not only enhances hydration but also reduces inflammation and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, essential for maintaining youthful, plump skin.
Adding product and treatment boosters to your skincare routine during winter can provide an additional layer of protection and nourishment. I’m all for giving your skin a little extra love and care when the chill hits so feel free to send me a message if you’d like to chat through any of my recommendations in this blog. All skins are different and react differently, so it is important to ask for help or of course, you can book in for a consultation with me too.