We are all too familiar with the fact that cold temperatures often come with red skin, tightness, chapping, and itchiness... But how can you prevent this kind of thing from happening to your skin? Here, you will discover our beauty routine for preparing your skin for winter... If your skin still feels tight afterwards, we apologize in advance ;) But that's unlikely to happen!
The 2 Main Roles of the Skin Barrier
The skin barrier is the outermost layer of the epidermis. Its two principal roles are defending the body from external stress, for example, by preventing microbes or allergens from getting through, and preventing dehydration by regulating the evaporation of water to the outside environment. Maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier is therefore fundamental for healthy and beautiful-looking skin. Its cohesiveness is guaranteed by the presence of the acid mantle (a protective film covering the entire surface of the epidermis) and intercellular cement (which binds epidermal cells together). Both components are mostly lipidic. The lipids needed to make them are provided by the sebaceous glands located in the dermis that secrete sebum at the surface of the epidermis.
What Happens in Winter?
In the winter, the skin barrier is put to the test… As temperatures fall, the activity of sebaceous glands slows, and the quantity of lipids they produce is no longer sufficient to maintain the quality of the acid mantle and inter-cellular cement. In consequence, they can no longer keep the skin barrier in good condition. The result is a loss of cohesion between cells, preventing the skin barrier from remaining a bulwark against environmental stress. Water evaporation increases, leading to the dehydration of the skin. Your skin starts to feel tight, reddens easily, feels uncomfortable, and signs of tiredness and aging begin to stand out.
It is also more vulnerable and susceptible to daily triggers.
Our Winter Beauty Routine
- Moisturize: Use the Hydra-Protect+ Regenerative Night Cream to revitalize the skin as you sleep. In the morning, go for a Hydra-Protect+ Face Moisturizing Cream with a rich texture to get comfy-feeling as temperatures drop.
- Boost: Apply a Hydra-Protect+ Replenishing Serum before your moisturizer for the best results. This concentrate acts as a veritable hydration cure, stimulating the skin’s cells and enabling them to regenerate at depth. Its marine-origin active ingredients stimulate and boost the hydration and effects of the other HYDRA-PROTECT + skincare applied afterward.
- Camouflage: Use tinted skincare that protects from the sun (with UV filters) to shield the skin and keep it looking young. Our Tinted SPF30 Face Sun Cream is both effective sun protection and a skin-perfecting skincare product for everyday use!
- Protect: Your hands are probably the first victims of the cold. You should always keep a little tube of Hydra-Protect+ Protective Hand Cream on you to prevent reddening and dryness. Its rich, creamy texture keeps your hands feeling comfortable. But if the irritation is already there, use our CICA REPA Reparative Hand Cream. It makes feelings of discomfort and roughness disappear thanks to its reparative, soothing, and nourishing ingredients.
- Pamper: After a long day, there’s nothing like rubbing a silky feeling, delicately perfumed Oil over your skin! We recommend Dry Oils that don’t leave a greasy layer on the skin and soak in quickly. The oils act at depth, and massaging them in helps microcirculation. We recommend a multi-use product like our Océane Dry Oil. Its a sensual way to regenerate your face, body, and hair, making it look sublime!
