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Winter is easily the most damaging season on your skin, so we've put together these winter skincare tips to get ahead of that dry, dull skin. The air is cold and dry, the winds pick up, and harsh indoor heating takes a toll on your skin. This is the season where we pile on moisturizers and serums and cover up with thick sweaters to keep the dryness at bay. But does it ever seem like you moisturize until the cows come home, only to see flaky skin in just a few hours?
Combating dry skin in winter is hard
Dry skin can be persistent because it is often not enough to slap on lotion and call it a day. Dead skin cells (which sit on top of healthy skin and cause dryness and flakiness) block the absorption of liquid into the healthy skin below. To actually hydrate the skin, you must first slough off this layer of dead cells (try dry brushing) before applying moisturizer. Otherwise, the scales will be back in no time!
Treating dry skin on the face and body is done differently. For your body, though, treating dry skin is fairly straightforward: exfoliate, moisturize, and go! For your face, a more honed routine may be needed. This includes cleansing the skin, exfoliating, and moisturizing with oils and creams. Follow these winter skincare tips and let us know how you do!
Winter Skincare Tip 1: Cleanse, Tone, Treat
The trick to reducing dry skin on the face is to gently cleanse, exfoliate, tone the skin, and then apply a serum or your favorite facial oil, finishing with a light moisturizer. If you don't have a set facial routine to follow, this is a pretty simple one to follow. You can add or subtract steps that you see fit (for example, you might need to exfoliate more or less regularly, depending on your skin type). Throwing in a mask once every week or two also wouldn't hurt!
Some things should be noted: if your skin is very oily in the first place, don't try to dry it out. If you're naturally very dry or flakey, don't over-exfoliate. In doing both of these things, you're actually counterproductive. Drying out your overly oily skin with harsh cleansers will force your body into producing more oil to compensate while exfoliating dry skin too frequently will irritate it more. The key here is balance!
We have developed, and are currently adding to, an extensive series of skincare products. Meant for the face and body, our Bee Inspired goods nourish the skin with ingredients from the earth, like plant-based oils, berry extracts, mineral clays+salts, and honey, of course.
Winter Skincare Tip 2: Put a Mask on it
Use a face mask every week to week and a half-masks to help deliver nutrients to the skin while also pulling out impurities and slough off dead skin. Choose a mask that will treat your specific skin type, apply gently, sit back, and let the mask do its magic.
Our Dry Masks were formulated to be customizable to your skin type, and are made with gently cleansing and refining clays, powdered fruit extracts, and dehydrated honey. To make a fresh, customized mask, blend an equal part of the powdered formula with a liquid base. Warm water is safe for all skin types; you can also mix the powder into plain Greek yogurt (the lactic acid in the yogurt is beneficial for your complexion), or into plain green tea, too. An optional step is to add a few drops of your preferred serum or oil to the mix.
Winter Skincare Tip 3: Pre-clean with oil and follow with a gentle cleanser
Start your dry skincare routine by gently cleansing the face. Using a cleansing oil to remove makeup and dirt, followed by a gentle foam cleanser or moisturizing wash, is a great gentle cleansing process-this type of cleansing will remove excess oils, dirt without stripping the skin.
Using our Lavender Oatmeal Bar Soap will do all of this! Handmade in small batches, our Calming Oatmeal+Lavender Bar Soap was designed to cleanse and nurture the skin with soothing lavender essential oil, nourishing shea butter, and skin-loving ground oats. Gentle enough for everyday use. Expect brighter, clearer skin after consistent use.
Winter Skincare Tip 4: Exfoliate at least once a week
The exfoliation process removes dead skin cells, which cause flakes and make it difficult for moisturizers to absorb. Choose an exfoliant that is of fine to medium grit-nothing too harsh! Large grains in a face scrub can cause micro-abrasions on the skin and end up doing more harm than good.
- Aim to exfoliate 1-2 times a week (if you have a problem with dry areas, target them first). Be gentle! Don't scrub too harshly.
- If need be, experiment with coarseness. You may need something softer or scrubbier, depending on your skin type and texture.
Although not originally formulated to be a face scrub, Spa Scrub makes for a wonderful mask. It's made with nutrient-dense rosehip and jojoba oils, which deliver a burst of vitamin C and fatty acids to the skin. Jojoba oil helps to fight acne and uneven skin tone and also gently moisturizing.
Winter Skincare Tip 5: Tone before you moisturize and oil-based serum should be the last step.
Toning the skin with lavender flower water is uplifting to more than your skin. In general, zoning helps to remove any trace flakes of skin that may still linger after you exfoliate and cleanse. Using witch hazel as a toner is incredibly effective in pulling the last of the dead skin cells from your complexion without over-drying like alcohol-based astringents. This can help to combat dry skin by allowing moisturizers to sink in faster and work better. Witch hazel can reduce redness and excess oiliness when used frequently and even is useful in reducing the frequency of breakouts.
Next up is a water-based moisturizer (while skin is still wet)
Using a serum or facial oil after moisturizing your skin will provide a nourishing layer that seals moisture into your skin. Our Bee Inspired Facial Oil contains light oils, such as rosehip, jojoba, and camellia, packed with nutrients that won't clog your skin. Daily use of facial oils helps to decrease the appearance of fine lines while improving other textural issues. Oils add moisture to your skin, which (ironically) reduces the amount of oil your own body has to produce: this can help with acne by controlling sebum production.
Winter Skincare Tip 6: Polish and Protect the Lips
During the winter, the lips can also become dry and irritated. Occasionally using a lip scrub to remove dead skin will definitely improve your lips' appearance and feel. Choose something that does not have artificial colors or flavors or added alcohol to dry the skin further.
Our Lip Scrubs are made with honey crystals and shea butter that smooth and softens. To use, scoop a small bit out and rub on the lips. The mixture will at first exfoliate the lips and then melt to provide moisture. Wipe away with a damp wash towel, and follow with our Natural Honey Lip Balm to provide lasting hydration. Avoid using matte lipsticks if you are prone to dry lips, as these formulations can suck the moisture right out of your skin.
If your lips are severely dry, make sure that you are drinking enough water. Being hydrated on the inside will help your skin to stay quenched as well. Steer clear from excessive soda and alcohol consumption, which will dehydrate you further.
Winter Skincare Tip 6: Treat Dry Skin with scrub and butter
Exfoliating the body is an important step in reducing dry skin. In doing this, you essentially scrub off the dry, dead cells that cause itchiness and dullness. Dry skin can be persistent, so make sure to keep up with it! A good beauty technique to introduce to your regimen is dry brushing. This process helps to brush off dead skin while also improving circulation. Occasionally brushing the skin and then gently (gently!) scrubbing the skin every time you shower and moisturizing afterward will banish dryness for good!
Body Scrubs
Home remedies for dry skin can sometimes be lengthy (soak in this milk and honey bath soak). To simplify things, we formulated our line of butter and scrubs. In the shower, scrub the skin with one of our Honey Body Scrubs. Made with shea and cocoa butter for rich moisture and honey crystals for gentle exfoliation.
Body Butter
Follow exfoliation by towel drying and applying a Body Butter to lock in moisture. Our Butter is with plant butter, honey, and essential oils to be incredibly moisturizing and nourishing. These are too heavy to be used on your face (hello, clogged pores!), but they are perfect for elbows and legs. Our body butters are made from only natural ingredients that soothe dry and itchy skin for ultimate hydration.
Winter Skincare Tip 7: Maintain with Balms and Oils
Dehydrated skin would benefit greatly from a heavier balm or body oil. This type of product not only soaks into the skin but leaves behind a moisturizing barrier to prevent dryness from creeping back in. Balms and body oils are preferred for use at nighttime, before bed, because they are rather heavy. We recommend our Massage Candle to treat severely dry skin. Made with skin-safe soy wax, plant oils, and natural essential oils for superb moisturization.
