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There’s no
better time to cozy up in fleece and knits and slurp down a nice cuppa hot cocoa than winter. However, it’s not my preferred season as far as how my skin fares. The parched, frigid air contributes to vexing skin problems, like itchiness and flakiness. Luckily, knowing the right ingredients to use in your winter skin care regimen can help fight off the dry and cold season!
For mildly dry skin with a few rough patches
Olive Oil
A kitchen pantry staple, olive oil is my go-to when I run out of moisturizing creams. It contains squalene that intensely hydrates skin and reduces water loss, as well as antioxidants to combat free radical damage. When you don’t have time to find a moisturizing product for winter, grab a bottle of olive oil, mix a few drops into your serum, and voila! However, tread carefully if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Jojoba Oil
This ingredient is the cherry on top when it comes to winter skin care! Whilst on the hunt for a cure to my chapped and eczema-prone skin, a sociable staff at a lifestyle shop introduced me to jojoba oil. It conditions skin, seals in moisture and offers protection against skin aging, thanks to flavonoids and Vitamin E. It mimics skin’s natural oils and prevents the overproduction of sebum, making it suitable for those who suffer from acne.
TIRTIR’s Organic Jojoba Oil is a great starter if it’s your first time trying out this ingredient. Mix two to three drops into your cream before massaging onto skin. The lightweight, non-greasy oil will leave skin feeling smooth and supple.
For excessively dry, cracked skin
Shea Butter
Lather on some nutty shea butter! Whenever I see a patch of flaky skin on my legs, I turn to this trusty moisturizing ingredient full of plant-based fatty acids to hydrate and soothe dry skin. Having lived through brutal winters, I always stock up on shea butter products like NATURE REPUBLIC’s Shea Butter Steam Cream Ultra, which boasts a smooth texture to moisturize skin without making it feel greasy or clogged. It’s not recommended to use shea butter in its raw, buttery form if you have oily, acne-prone skin.
Urea
A godsent moisturizing ingredient, urea sloughs away dead skin while giving high doses of moisture for deep hydration. I only use this ingredient when my eczema flares up and makes my skin excessively dry. It’s smart to have a urea-infused product on hand for times like these. NATUREKIND’s Super Barrier Urea 5 Cream provides intense hydration while removing dry, flaky skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid to retain skin moisture and centella asiatica extract to calm irritation.
For those who want hydration 365 days a year
Hyaluronic Acid
I always envied those with smooth, plump skin, and I finally found the secret to that – hyaluronic acid. Anything with “acid” can sound scary, but this gooey liquid is safe for all skin types! It hydrates by drawing moisture to skin’s surface and acts as a defense barrier. My skin has been consistently smooth and dewy ever since I added hyaluronic acid to my routine. It also makes my face less itchy! For those looking to use this hydrating miracle, Torriden’s DIVE-IN line offers everything from serums to creams to replenish and secure moisture for plumper skin.
Ceramides
Naturally found in our skin and hence safe for all skin types, ceramides protect skin’s barrier by locking in moisture and fighting off external aggressors. Skin produces less ceramides over time, so we have to replenish them with skin care. HOLIKA HOLIKA’s smooth and velvety Good Cera Super Ceramide Cream is my newfound favorite as it keeps my face hydrated and moisturized, leaving it nourished from day to night.
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