OMG! It’s almost December!
Now is the time to start prepping your skin for all the end of the year festivities (when you will be too exhausted to actually bother).
So what’s a girl got to do to look her glowing best when it’s really cold outside?
1. Drink coconut water every single day.
Yes, it’s winter and hot cup of tea or coffee is what you crave, not a cool summer drink like coconut water. Unfortunately that steaming hot cup of caffeine also dehydrates your skin. Coconut water on the other hand, instantly hydrates your body (and skin), putting back all the good stuff that the caffeine removed.
Here’s why you should have a glass of coconut water during winter:
- It is packed with skin-loving antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that slow down aging.
- It has more potassium than 4 bananas, so it also prevents bloating and puffiness. If you’re prone to a puffy face or under-eye bags, drink it every day and you will see a major reduction.
- It is super hydrating. This means it helps flush out all the toxins trapped in your body that can make your skin appear dull. By regularly drinking coconut water, you will notice your skin getting plumper and more radiant.
- It is a cure for all the festive hangovers. It refills the electrolytes in your body, so you feel better almost immediately. It also helps settle an acidic stomach thanks to all those festive treats.
Start drinking it today and you will be ready to brave the winter, the festivities and the gluttony.
2. Figure out your ‘new’ skin type.
When the weather changes, so does your skin.
For instance, you may have had super oily skin all through summer, but come winter, it’s only your T-zone that’s greasy, while your cheeks and jawline have become dry. You now have combination skin.
This change in skin type affects everything. It changes the products you use and your skincare ritual. So pay extra attention to the changes in your skin so you can treat it right.
3. Drop the facewash. And switch to an oil cleanser.
As the temperature drops, your skin gets drier, and any facewash makes matters much worse by stripping it further.
Now is the time for the oil cleanser to make its entry. Drumroll
An oil cleanser, deep cleans your skin by clinging on to all the dirt, makeup, sunscreen and sebum, pulling it out – without drying your skin. Your skin will be absolutely clean (no residue) and soft, never dry or tight.
How to use an oil cleanser:
Take a coin-size amount of cleansing oil and smoothen it all over your face.
Let it ‘sit’ for 20 seconds before massaging it for about a minute.
Then, emulsify the oil by wetting your hands and massaging your skin for another 10 seconds. This step is super important. You have to emulsify it well in order for it to reach its full potential and take out all the gunk.
Now simply rinse it off and you’re done.
Oil cleansers are perfect to remove all the makeup (even the toughest waterproof mascara) after the parties when you’re just soooo tired. You don’t need any other makeup remover, cotton balls or wipes. Yay!
Stuff I ❤️: Shu Uemura have achieved cult status for their oil cleansers which are brilliant. There’s one for every skin type. Check out my review to get the lowdown.
4. Scrub away the flakes.
You need to scrub all year round, but more so in winter because the weather makes skin extra dry and flaky.
Even the best moisturizer won’t work unless you get rid of the dry, dead skin on top. So you should gently scrub either thrice a week with a facial scrub or once a day with a facial brush. It makes a HUGE difference to how your skin will look this winter.
While you’re scrubbing your face, don’t forget the rest of your body gets dry and scaly too. So get yourself a good body scrub and do it religiously 3 times a week to prevent that dry, bumpy ‘chicken skin’. Scrubbing your body also prevents ingrown hairs that happen when your skin is constantly covered up.
Stuff I ❤️: I’m a bit obsessed with Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion. I always look like I’ve had a facial after using it.
5. Follow the 3-minute rule.
After a shower, within 3 minutes, while your skin is still damp, apply your moisturizer on your face and body to trap and seal in all the moisture. If you wait for more than 3 minutes, you’re not going to get the results you’re after as the water has already left your skin.
6. Add a serum (or two) to your skincare regimen.
Serums are the powerhouses of your skincare ritual. That’s because they are packed with vitamins and anti-oxidants. And due to their gel-like texture, serums are able to push these active ingredients into the deepest layers of your skin, where they can treat dehydration, dullness, uneven skin tone and wrinkles.
But did you know that you can use 2-3 serums at the same time to get much much better results?
It just depends on what you want to improve in your skin.
For instance if dullness and dehydration are your concerns, you can start with a brightening serum to add a glow, and then follow it up with a hydrating serum to plump up skin and prevent fine lines. Now that’s pretty smart!
Stuff I ❤️: A couple of drops of Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, followed by Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair makes my skin glow all through winter.
7. Layer. Layer. Layer your skin.
When the weather gets cold, you wear many layers of clothes. You need to do the same thing to your skin. One skincare product over another is the best way to boost moisture in your skin and protect it from the elements.
The Koreans have mastered this art, and their flawless, glowing skin is testament to the benefits of layering.
So how to do you do it?
After cleansing your skin, apply a serum (or two), followed by a moisturizer, followed by a sunscreen. There should be at least 4 layers of skincare products between your skin and the cold winter air.
Do this every day, morning and night. And your skin will look it’s absolute best.
8. Put on a sheet mask for dewy, glowing skin.
Sheet masks will literally save your skin from the winter.
Sheet masks are essentially cloth masks drenched in a tons and tons of hydrating serum. The sheet acts as a cover to increase penetration of the serum into the deeper layers of your skin and so they can work twice as hard to increase the moisture in your skin.
If your skin is super dry, using a sheet mask 3-4 times a week during winter for maximum hydration will keep it soft, moist and glow-y. If you’ve got oily or combination skin, 1-2 times is more than enough.
9. Go heavy-duty on your hands and feet.
The festive season mean lots of parties, which means a lot of hands to shake and lots of time spent on your feet. So you should be paying extra attention to your hands and feet – which get super dry and cracked during the winter months.
Apart from moisturizing your hands and feet with a thick cream every night, try this intensive treatment once or twice a week (depending on how dry they are).
First massage olive oil into your hands and feet. Then rub coconut oil into your cuticles and nails. Now apply a thick layer of cocoa butter over the oils. And then finish it off with a light layer of Vaseline. Baby soft skin guaranteed – that too overnight!
10. Brush your lips before you apply lip balm.
After you’re done brushing your teeth, gently rub the clean toothbrush (no toothpaste) over your lips in tiny circles. This removes all the dry, chapped, dead skin to reveal pink, healthy lips. Immediately apply a thick coat of moisturizing lip balm to keep them soft, plump and moisturized.
Stuff I ❤️: My two favourite lip balms for winter are Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream and Smith’s Rosebud Lip Salve. Check out my reviews to know all about them.
Now you’re all set. Happy skin = Happy Holidays!!
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