In winter, the skin should be nourished or moisturized?

Hydration or nutrition? Or maybe protection? Should we give up masks or, conversely, use them more often? Do oils harm the skin in cold weather? Approximately such questions excite us in the winter. The answers are in this article.

What happens to the skin of the face in winter

Winter in our latitudes is a real stress for the skin. No matter how hard it is tested!

  • Frost, snow, icy wind outside.

  • Dried air in the room as a result of the operation of heating devices.

  • Temperature differences (when leaving the house on the street and vice versa).

There is no reason to fear that the body temperature at the time of going out into the street will fall below the prescribed 36 degrees. The blood that circulates through the blood vessels works great for heating. However, something must be taken into account.

With a sharp drop in temperature, skin receptors send a signal to the central nervous system so that our internal “computer” adjusts the fuel supply. Then the following happens: the vessels begin to work more actively – the colder it is outside, the more often they narrow and expand to warm the epidermis. Remember how the skin turns red in the cold – this just illustrates this process.

In winter, the skin reacts differently to frost. But more often – it is shelled and looks irritated.

If something goes wrong and the receptors continue to send an SOS signal to the brain, special substances are released that cause a local inflammatory response. How does the skin react to such cataclysms?

  • Dries.

  • It’s peeling off.

  • Itchy.

  • Cracking.

But such force majeure is the exception rather than the rule. A negative reaction means only one thing: the skin needs protection, that is, a protective cream.

Are you ready for winter? Our test will help you find out.

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Do you need nourishment or hydration in winter?

Let’s dot all the “i” right away – in winter, the skin needs both nutrition and hydration. A big mistake is to drastically change your care with the advent of cold weather and put off moisturizing cream until spring. After all, what is a protective agent? This is a cream that forms a kind of film on the skin that protects not so much from frost as from wind and snow. If such a cream is used on an ongoing basis, and not before going outside, then after a while the skin will start to lose moisture catastrophically.

Before going out into the cold, apply a protective agent to the skin of the face.

The best solution is to provide the skin with normal care in the morning (cleansing, moisturizing or nourishing), and approximately 30 minutes before going outside – apply a protective agent.

The evening program should include cleansing, toning, further care in the form of a night mask, moisturizer or balm.

What is the difference between nourishing and moisturizing products

As the name of these two categories of products suggests, some are designed to moisturize the skin, saturating it with moisture, while others are designed to nourish.

The difference between them is obvious. Moisturizers contain humectants that do their best to replenish the moisture balance of the skin. We list the main components:
  • hyaluronic acid;

  • urea;

  • fruit acids;

  • squalane.

The composition of nourishing creams includes components that help strengthen the protective lipid mantle of the skin. As the main ingredients always work great:

  • vegetable oils;

  • fatty acid;

  • vitamins, antioxidants and herbal extracts.

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Features of skin nutrition in winter

In winter, the skin needs both hydration and nutrition in equal measure.

The biggest “winter” risk for the skin is damage to the protective barrier, which can cause:

  1. dryness;

  2. dehydration;

  3. peeling;

  4. hypersensitivity.

Nourishing creams are involved in strengthening the lipid mantle.

Overview of Nutrients

We have selected products that are good to have on hand before going out. But, we repeat, no one cancels the basic care program. So 30 minutes before you leave the house, simply apply a sunscreen over your moisturizer or nourishing cream.

Moisturizing face cream Ultra Facial Cream, Kiehl’s

Antarcticin, part of this time-tested product, helps maintain moisture levels. This substance is a glycoprotein of a microorganism that has the super ability to survive at very low temperatures. It is not surprising that it is so in demand in creams intended, among other things, for winter care.

Triple Lipid Restore, SkinCeuticals

The action of the cream is based on a combination of the three most important skin lipids – ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids in a high concentration of 2:4:2.

Luxurious Day Transforming Radiance Cream, L’Oréal Paris

The transforming day cream has a rich texture, enriched with peony extract and neocalcium. Instantly nourishes the skin with nutrients and gives it radiance.

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How to moisturize your skin in cold weather

Unlike a summer moisturizer with a light texture, a winter moisturizer can be thicker. Look for in its composition:

  • ceramides;

  • hyaluronic acid;

  • panthenol;

  • allantoin;

  • Bisabolol.

These components provide the skin with the long-term hydration it needs.

The main rule in winter is to apply a product that can protect the skin, about 30 minutes before leaving the house.

Overview of Moisturizers

Moisturizing cream for dry and very dry skin of the face and body, CeraVe

Thanks to a special technology, hyaluronic acid and ceramides are released gradually – for longer and more effective skin hydration.

Face cream for normal and combination skin “Basic care” with grape extract, Garnier

The formula of the cream contains grape extract, which is valued in the beauty industry for its antioxidant properties, as well as moisturizing glycerin.

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Overview of universal face products

If you are not used to or do not want to spend a lot of time on care, pay attention to universal products. They solve problems in a complex way: moisturize, nourish, protect and restore the skin.

Emollience Normal to Dry Skin Moisturizer SkinCeuticals

Enriched with algae extracts and oils of macadamia, rosehip, grape seed, the product intensively moisturizes the skin throughout the day. Suitable for dry and sensitive skin.

Regenerating cream for skin radiance with a melting texture Absolue Soft Cream, Lancôme

Thanks to its rich texture and formula based on a complex derived from roses, it perfectly moisturizes the skin and stimulates cellular renewal, restoring youth and radiance to the face.

Lipid-replenishing balm for face and body Lipikar Baume AP +, La Roche-Posay

The composition is based on Aqua Posae Filiformis, an active ingredient that regulates the natural microflora of the skin. Combined with niacinamide and shea butter, it restores and strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier.

Daily gel-serum for skin exposed to aggressive external influences, Mineral 89, Vichy

The serum contains thermal water and hyaluronic acid in high concentration, which helps to moisturize and retain moisture in the skin.

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