Winter is a season our skin dreads. With the cold setting in, the humidity dropping, and the dry air inside heated buildings, our skin is under constant stress. This climate can quickly cause tightness, redness, flaking, and sometimes even irritation. To avoid these discomforts and maintain supple, hydrated, and radiant skin during this time, it's essential to implement a proper skincare routine. In this article, we'll explore the essentials for winter skincare, highlighting key products, including those from June Laboratoire, that can help keep your skin in perfect health throughout the cold season.
Why does skin become drier in winter?
Skin becomes fragile in winter due to several factors. First, the drop in humidity in the air dries out the epidermis, thus increasing transepidermal water loss , that is, the natural evaporation of water from the skin's surface. Without proper hydration, the skin becomes more vulnerable to external aggressions.
1. Dry and cold air
One of the main reasons skin becomes dry in winter is related to air humidity, which drops drastically as temperatures drop. This dry air accelerates the evaporation of moisture from the skin, causing dehydration and weakening the skin barrier. The result: rougher, more sensitive skin, prone to redness.
2. Interior heating
Indoors, central heating makes matters worse by drying out the air, which increases skin moisture loss. The hot, dry environment prevents skin from regenerating and maintaining proper hydration.
3. Climatic aggressions
Wind, intense cold, and even sudden temperature changes between outdoors and indoors weaken the skin's ability to retain moisture. These climatic aggressions, combined with reduced sebum production in winter, leave the skin dehydrated and without natural protection.
Signs of distressed skin during winter
Here are some telltale signs that your skin needs special care during the winter:
- Tightness after exposure to cold or after showering.
- Peeling , especially on the face, hands and legs.
- Frequent redness and irritation.
- Dull complexion and overall lack of radiance.
What are the best treatments to protect your skin in winter?
Now that we understand why our skin suffers during this season, let's look at effective solutions to combat winter dryness. It's possible to prevent and repair the effects of the cold with a well-structured skincare routine. June Laboratoire products are specifically designed to provide intense and long-lasting hydration while strengthening the skin barrier.
1. Use a gentle, moisturizing cleanser
Winter is not the time to use harsh cleansers. It's important to choose a gentle cleanser that removes impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Why a gentle cleanser is essential
In winter, skin produces less sebum, making it more vulnerable to dehydration. Overly harsh cleansers strip away essential oils that protect the skin, leaving it dry and fragile. By choosing a gentle, moisturizing cleanser, skin stays clean without being damaged.
What to choose?
Oil- or milk-based cleansers are ideal for this time of year. They respect the skin barrier while providing extra hydration. For example, a cleanser containing hyaluronic acid or soothing extracts like aloe vera can cleanse the skin while protecting it from the harsh winter weather.
2. Moisturize with rich, nourishing creams
During winter, skin needs a richer cream to restore its hydrolipidic film. Nourishing creams rich in essential fatty acids, ceramides, and plant butters, such as shea butter, help protect and deeply hydrate the skin.
The ideal creams for winter
A nourishing cream like June Laboratoire's Marine Collagen - Anti-Aging Formula is an excellent choice for winter. Thanks to its hyaluronic acid and collagen content, it helps maintain optimal hydration while strengthening skin elasticity. Hyaluronic acid is particularly effective at attracting and retaining moisture in the skin, making it a must-have ingredient for winter.
In addition, this cream helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier, a valuable asset against winter aggressions.
3. Apply hydrating and restorative serums
Serums are concentrated treatments with hydrating and anti-aging active ingredients that penetrate deeper into the skin than moisturizers. They provide additional hydration and address specific concerns such as redness or signs of aging.
Which serums should I use in winter?
Serums containing hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and collagen are perfect for winter. June Laboratoire's Marine Collagen - Anti-Aging Formula is a great example of a serum that can repair damage caused by cold weather while preventing skin aging. It helps retain moisture while stimulating collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.
4. Protect the skin against external aggressions
In winter, it's important to protect your skin from external elements like wind and cold. These harsh weather conditions can cause irritation and increased dryness. To protect your skin:
- Wear a scarf to prevent the cold wind from hitting your face.
- Apply a lipid-rich protective cream before going out.
In addition, don't forget to protect your lips with a moisturizing balm, as they are often the first to suffer from winter dehydration.
5. Gently exfoliate
Exfoliation is an essential step in removing dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin's surface, especially in winter. However, it's important to opt for gentle exfoliation to avoid irritating skin already weakened by the cold.
Why exfoliate in winter?
When dead skin cells build up, skin becomes dull and moisturizers don't penetrate properly. Gentle exfoliation once or twice a week helps stimulate cell regeneration and prepares the skin to better absorb moisturizers.
6. Don't neglect sun protection
Even in winter, the skin is exposed to UV rays, especially UVA rays, which are responsible for skin aging. It is therefore essential to continue using sunscreen, even on cloudy or snowy days.
Why is sunscreen important in winter?
UVA rays penetrate through clouds and can cause long-term skin damage, such as the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles. Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is therefore essential, even during the colder months.
7. Take care of your body and hands
Hands, feet, and legs are often neglected during the winter, yet these parts of the body suffer from dryness just as much as the face. Hands, in particular, are constantly exposed to the elements and frequent washing, making them particularly vulnerable.
What body care should you apply in winter?
For your body, use rich, nourishing creams, such as those containing shea butter or argan oil. Apply the cream after showering to seal in moisture.
The hands, meanwhile, benefit from a specific hand cream rich in glycerin and nourishing oils, which you can apply several times a day.
8. Hydrate from the inside out
In winter, it's easy to forget to drink enough water, but internal hydration is just as important as applying external care. Drinking at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day is essential to keep skin well hydrated and prevent dryness.
In conclusion, winter is a time when your skin requires special attention. With the right skincare, like that offered by June Laboratoire , you can prevent dryness, maintain optimal hydration, and protect your skin from external aggressions. Adopt a routine that includes gentle cleansers, serums rich in moisturizing active ingredients, and nourishing creams to keep your skin beautiful and healthy throughout the cold season.
