As the days get darker and temperatures continue to drop, your skin can face new challenges. Cold, blustery weather and lower humidity levels can leave it dry, dull, and more prone to sensitivity, and your skincare routine may need a little extra oomph in order to replenish your skin. Fortunately, K-beauty is a match made in winter wonderland heaven, as the main principles of Korean skincare is barrier health and hydration. Let’s dive in…
How does winter affect the skin?
The arrival of winter comes with cosy nights in and pumpkin-spiced lattes, but it also comes with icy temperatures and lower humidity levels, reducing the water levels in your skin’s outer layer, the stratum corneum. Combine this with drying central heating which increases trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and you have a recipe for dryness, dehydration, and potential flare-ups of conditions like eczema and rosacea. Slower skin cell turnover in the colder months can also lead to a build-up of dead skin cells, resulting in dullness and more pronounced fine lines (boo!). But it’s not all doom and gloom, here are four simple steps you can take to keep your skin glowing:
1. Use a gentle cleanser
As temperatures drop, your skin requires a little extra TLC and this starts with your cleanser. Choose gentle formulas that cleanse without stripping your skin barrier further. Balms and oils formulated with skin-soothing mugwort oil, a popular K-beauty ingredient, can offer an effective yet calming cleanse – perfect if your skin feels tight or sensitive after cleansing.
Product links:
Pollufree™ 5.5 Ph-Balancing Cleansing Foam
Pollufree™ Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
Pollufree™ Pore Deep Cleansing Oil
Expert Tip: Revive a dull complexion by applying our skin-brightening Back to Iceland Peeling Cream post-cleanse. A weekly treatment that gently exfoliates the skin without causing irritation.
2. Add a hydrating toner and serum
Quench thirsty skin by layering a hydrating toner and serum after cleansing. Korean beauty routines are renowned for their focus on layering hydration-boosting products to achieve that plump and juicy ‘glass skin’ look. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides and rice extract (for a glow boost!), which help to increase the skin’s water levels and combat signs of dehydration. Simply press into the skin in light layers before moving onto moisturiser.
Product links:
Rice Pure Essential Milky Hydrating Toner
Bakuvita Treatment Toner
Rice Pure Cream In Ampoule
3. Incorporate Barrier-Strengthening Ingredients
Boost your skin’s resilience against the winter weather by reinforcing your barrier with creams and balms rich in ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. These ingredients help seal in water, reducing TEWL. Korean products often incorporate gentle, skin-soothing botanicals like centella asiatica (aka cica), which are perfect for when your skin is flaring up! Barrier balms are also a great way to shield areas of dry, chapped skin such as the nostrils, lips and knuckles.
Product links:
Rice Pure Gel And Cream Moisturiser
Rice Pure Aqua Multi Balm
Bakuvita Barrier Cream
Expert tip: Live in a tumultuous climate? One of our most innovative products, the Rice Pure Gel and Cream Moisturiser, features a dual texture of both a lightweight hydrating gel and a thicker moisturising cream, making it easy to adjust the ratios of each formula according to your skin’s needs.
4. Don’t Skip Your Sunscreen
We know it can be tempting but the sun’s UV rays can still impact the skin, even when it's cloudy outside. Year-round use of a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen will help shield your skin from UVA and UVB rays, preventing premature ageing that occurs through cumulative unprotected exposure. Korean sunscreens are popular for their lightweight, non-greasy formulas, which layer beautifully under makeup , making it easy to find one that you will love and actually want to apply daily!
Product links:
Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ - great for a dewy glow
Sun Project Skin Relief Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ - great for sensitive skin
Safe Sun Face + Body Mineral SPF50+ PA++++ - great for mineral sunscreen lovers