Winter presents many challenges for your skin – from the harsh cold temperatures making your skin more sensitive to the drying indoor air. Coupled with the increasing pollution levels, this season can leave your skin dull, flaky and irritated.
The Dual Threat of Pollution and Dryness
Continued exposure to pollution has a lasting impact on the state of our skin. In addition to exacerbating existing conditions like acne and inflammation, pollution causes disruptions in skin health, damages the skin barrier, and causes premature ageing and even skin cancer. Airborne pollutants trigger inflammation, disrupt the skin microbiome and premature signs of ageing.
Dryness, the universal winter woe, stems from low humidity in the air. The dry air exacerbates skin dryness and cranked-up indoor heat strips away hydration, making skin feel tight and rough. Dry skin is more prone to damage in winter. Pollution and poor air quality, as indicated by the Air Quality Index can wreak havoc on your skin.
Protecting your skin from Environmental Damage and Winter Dryness
You can take certain measures to protect your skin from the onslaught of pollution and dryness this winter.
1. Cleanse Gently
Smog particles that settle on your skin can trap bacteria in the pores, leading to disruptive acne breakouts if not cleaned properly. Regular cleansing is essential to remove dirt, pollutants and excess oil. However, over-cleansing can strip your skin of moisture and aggravate dryness.
It is essential to opt for a gentle cleaner that restores the skin barrier and deep cleanses pores without drying out the skin with harsh chemicals. Our Clarifying Cleanser gently cleanses the skin, balances pH levels and restores the skin’s microbiome, making it the perfect cleanser for you this winter!
2. Moisturise Religiously
Moisturising in winter is non-negotiable to hydrate the skin and replenish lost moisture. The dry winter air causes the skin to feel drier too – which means you need to double down on moisturising to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Moisturising your face at least twice a day, and your entire body at least once a day is essential to keep dryness at bay. The Clarifying Face Moisturiser hydrates the skin and is enriched with vitamin C to brighten and hydrate the skin, all while providing acne protection. The Clarifying Body Oil meant to be used in or after your shower routine is a nourishing blend of 7+ active ingredients that tones and brightens the skin and prevents it from drying out over the course of the day.
Applying moisturising products on damp skin helps the product to penetrate deeper within the layers of your skin, to keep it looking supple and hydrated for longer, and helps you get the most out of your products.
3. Exfoliate Sparingly
The benefits of exfoliation are incredible – brighter, glowing skin free of dead cells and ingrown hair- but when done too often, it can damage the outer layer of skin leading to moisture loss, redness and inflammation. This winter, take special care to exfoliate gently, and not more than twice a month to get optimal results and radiant skin.
4. Embrace Hydration
Incorporating hydrating products into your routine can be incredibly beneficial, especially in the winter season. Preventing trans-epidermal water loss is paramount, and in winter you can never have enough hydration! Our Clarifying Toner is a hydrating mist that can be used throughout the day to lock in moisture, refresh your complexion, and add an extra layer of hydration.
5. Manage Stress
Stress exacerbates skin problems, and has been found to make skin more sensitive and reactive. The combined toll of stress, winter dryness and pollution can be catastrophic for your skin. Bringing down stress levels can enhance your skin health and prevent further damage. All our products are infused with our patent-pending blend of natural actives, NeuroCalm®, that naturally lowers cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increases serotonin output, all while treating a range of skin problems and restoring the skin microbiome and overall skin health.
6. Avoid Drying Acids
Ensuring your products don’t contain drying ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and Salicylic Acid is essential. They are popular choices when it comes to treating acne, but aren’t your friends in winter, since they tend to dry out the skin, especially when present in higher concentrations.
Our Clarifying Serum is a gentle yet effective acne treatment, packed with 15+ active ingredients like Vitamin C, Bakuchiol and Sodium Hyaluronate (A salt of popular hydrating ingredient Hyaluronic Acid) to refine and hydrate your skin. It has been formulated specially to suit all skin types, especially sensitive skin.
7. Protect your skin
Your skin needs sun protection, even in winter and on overcast days. Sun damage and pollution can wreak havoc on the skin, so be mindful to never skip sunscreen. Sun damage and pollution can exacerbate oxidative stress, which causes the skin to show signs of ageing sooner.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that neutralises free radicals, prevents skin damage, boosts sun protection and promotes healing. Incorporating Vitamin C products can boost your skin protection and aid recovery. Our Compete Regime bundle consists of our entire Vitamin range, enriched with Acerola cherry extract – one of the most potent forms of Vitamin C found in nature, to deliver bright and youthful-looking skin all over.
Conclusion
Environmental stressors like pollution and cold temperatures can be detrimental to your skin health. By following these simple guidelines, you can safeguard your skin from the effects of pollution and dryness this winter and flaunt radiant, healthy-looking skin throughout the season.
