Winter Hydration: Top Products We Recommend Adding Into Your Regime This Winter!

Melbourne winters can be magical! Mulled wine, winter fashion, cosy days in! But with the magic and sparkle comes some less glamorous side effects for our skin. The drop in humidity (of which us Melbournians barely get in the first place!), prolonged exposure to indoor heating, and low outdoor temperatures with biting wind! All this combined can lead to parched, depleted, flaky dry skin and even subsequent inflammation and congestion as a result. Reassessing our routines in the winter months is key in maintaining healthy, soothed and glowing skin during the frosty winter.

How does the cold affect skin? 

Our skin is our body’s barrier from the environment, so it makes sense that it will need some extra support, or our routines will need switching up as that environment fluctuates. Between our skin cells, creating our skin’s barrier, we have moisture and lipids (oils). When humidity levels are low, or there is a lack of moisture in the air, this barrier can become dehydrated as there is no hydration in the air for the skin to grab onto or to replenish what is being lost. This dehydrates our skin and compromises that barrier.

Not only can this lead to a flaky, dull and dry complexion, but it also allows space for pathogens and irritants to penetrate the compromised barrier and cause irritation and inflammation. Some changes you might notice during winter may be:

– Dryness

– Dehydration

– Cracking

– Slowed healing

– Inflammation

– Irritation

– Redness

– Sensitivity

– Dull tone

– Tightness

Oily skins may notice more congestion as oil becomes trapped under the dry surface and dead skin cells behind to clog pores.

Switching up your regime

To combat these changes, we need to adjust how we’re treating the skin, to sooth, replenish and protect.

We’ve put together our favourite winter products to help with the depleting Melbourne chill.

Cleanse

Replacing your gel-based cleanser with a hydrating milk or oil based cleanser may be the perfect way to start your winter regime, cleansing and refreshing your skin without dehydrating it further.

Our top winter picks are: 

• Nexultra O Cleanser: Universkin 

Nexultra O is a multi-purpose cleaning and soothing oil, a patented combination of biomimetic peptides, olive oil, pant CO2 extracts and Omega-3, which helps to cleanse and repair the skin.

• BioCleanse: Synergie

This luxurious milky cleanser gently and effectively removes all traces of dirt and makeup, leaving even the most sensitive skin feeling soft, clean and nourished.

 

Moisturise

Moisturiser is our skin barrier’s best friend! Designed to sit on the surface of our skin, protecting it from further depletion and creating a further barrier between our skin and the harsh environment. Our top winter picks are:

• Nexultra P Rich: Universkin

Suitable for all skin types, particularly suitable for normal to dry skin, mature and dehydrated skin, and fragile skin. Its composition targets the skin’s resistance to internal and external aggressions with a rich and smooth texture, endowed with a patented combination of biomimetic peptides and omega-3 from Camelina oil (Camelina Sativa).

• Triple Lipid Restore: SkinCeuticals 

This anti-aging lipid correction treatment contains the first cholesterol-dominant ratio to refill lipids, restore skin’s external barrier, and support natural repair, while potently nourishing aging skin. Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 has been clinically proven to improve skin’s smoothness, laxity, pore appearance, and overall radiance.

Prime

Primer creates a smooth, even surface to apply make-up, it also protects our skin from said make-up irritating or clogging pores. Giving a flawless finish to make-up application but also protecting the skin at the same time. Our top winter picks are:

• Smooth Affair Illuminating Primer: Jane Iredale

Perfect for dry skin. Illuminating and brightening, key ingredients Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter hydrate and lock in moisture to give a glowing, hydrated finish.

Hydrate & Boost

Whilst moisturiser works on the surface of the skin, we may need a more potent boost working deeper. This is where serums fit in.

Our top winter picks are:

• HA Intensifier: SkinCeuticals 

This hydrating serum contains a high concentration of pure Hyaluronic Acid to help skin retain moisture, while added Proxylane and Botanical Extracts of Licorice Root and Purple Rice deliver surface hydration, working to reduce fine lines, improve skin texture and boost plumpness.

• H Serum: Universkin

A supercharged hyaluronic shot that plumps, moisturises, strengthens the skin barrier and promotes skin renewal. It strengthens the skin barrier and promotes hydration thanks to a combination of 2 different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. It also stimulates the synthesis of collagen fibres and firmness proteins.

Renew & Replenish

Dry skin does not shed easily, sometimes we need to give it a hand! Our top winter picks are:

• Retifol: Synergie

An encapsulated retinol combined with a gentle, acid free exfoliating peptide.

Works to refine skin texture, increase cell renewal, reduce excess oil as well as reduce appearance of uneven skin tone and sun damage.

• Liquid Platinum: ASAP

An overnight serum that incorporates the renewing and exfoliative powers of AHA’s like Glycolic Acid with potent hydration.

Finally, an all-day helping hand!

• M Peptide Mist: Universkin

This hydrating mist is perfect for long days in the office with the heating blaring, where your skin just needs a hit of hydration and a refreshing top up.

As much as we love these products, this is advice is quite general in nature. To get more bespoke advice for your skin’s individual needs, book a consultation to discuss how to get the best out of your skin this winter.

Book your skin consultation today at https://patient.southerncosmetics.com.au/start/book?dapple_id=6998ecbf-e1c5-4b5a-898b-cbd800f9a635

Author:  Nela Plecic, Dermal Clinician, BHScDT
Bachelor of Health Science (Dermal Therapies)