Why Do You Need a Different Moisturiser in Winter

Understanding how different seasons and weather conditions affect us is essential to healthy, beautiful and nourished skin. 

Changing your skincare routine from summer to winter is highly beneficial as the specially designed products address specific seasonal issues like dryness, itchiness, redness and even acne. 

Just how a warm winter sweater protects you from the cold, a different moisturiser makes a real difference in how your skin looks and feels. 

It's, of course, completely natural to ask questions, especially if you haven't experienced drastic skin changes yourself. However, even if you don't see them, trust us, winter affects everyone's skin! 

Get comfy, and let's talk about why you need a different moisturiser in winter. 

Your skin in winter

So what happens to the skin in winter that it gets dryer and dull-looking? 

First of all, at low temperatures, the pores shrink, and the heat gets trapped inside, which leads to rashes, redness and itchiness. 

Cold air also pulls moisture away from the skin, which adds to the itchiness and spending more time indoors with heating devices and dry air builds on the problem.

A completely different process happens during the summer when it's hot and sunny. High temperatures and humidity cause the body to sweat to cool itself, and the oil glands work overtime. 

As if that's not enough, the dramatic difference between the outdoor and indoor temperature is also not healthy for your skin. 

For some people, the skin issues are less visible, but they are still happening nonetheless. 

So if your skin changes so much, it's only natural that you should change your skincare too. It's like changing your light summer dresses to warm sweaters and coats. 

Winter moisturisers

The first and most important line of defence for your skin in winter is a proper winter moisturiser. 

Choosing the best moisturiser for winter can feel a little daunting at first, but it's pretty straightforward once you know what you're looking for. 

A winter moisturiser performs multiple functions to hydrate, nourish and protect your skin. 

First of all, let's talk product texture. In summer, as the skin gets moisture from the environment, it sweats more, and we usually use lighter, lotion-based moisturisers since that's enough to keep the skin hydrated. 

However, winter is a whole other situation, and lotion-based moisturisers won't cut it most of the time. What you want is a rich cream which is the best choice for the low-humidity season. 

Creams contain emollients and occlusives. What do they do? Emollients help soothe, soften, and increase moisture levels, improve skin barrier function. Occlusives are waxes and oils that form a layer on the skin. This way, they physically block water from escaping. 

A common myth is that rich creams are comedogenic and clog pores, but today that's no longer true in most cases. 

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Winter moisturiser functions 

As with any skincare products, you should always make sure that your winter moisturiser covers all the bases before purchasing. Here's what a quality winter moisturiser does. 

Locks the moisture in. A good winter moisturiser for dry skin locks your skin's natural moisture in and enhances its content. That improves the skin's texture and makes it smoother.  

Fights dryness. Cold winter air and winds are very rough on the skin, making it itchy, dry and red. The task of a good-quality winter moisturiser is to keep your skin hydrated and nourished all day long and to prevent flaking, cracking and itching. 

Protects from the elements. No matter your skin type, winter moisturiser for dry skin, winter moisturiser for oily skin, and winter moisturiser for combination skin will protect your skin from the elements and their effects. Besides dryness and dehydration, strong winds, temperature changes, and dry air can cause infections and outbreaks like acne or rashes. Nobody wants that!

Makes the skin glow. Dullness is another issue many of us deal with in winter. Lack of moisture, flakiness and uneven texture then makes the skin look dull. A high-quality moisturiser will bring back that beautiful glow! 

Protects from the sun. Yes, you need to wear SPF even in winter! One of the common myths is that you don't need sunscreen in the cold season, but the winter sun can be just as harmful as the summer sun. A good way of simplifying your routine is choosing a winter moisturiser that protects from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Winter moisturiser for different skin types

All skin types need special care during winter. Yes, even oily skin. Here are a few tips on how to choose the best moisturiser for your skin type.

Winter moisturiser for oily skin. Many believe that oily skin doesn't need much moisturising, which is not true. The only difference is that you should find a product that doesn't cause oil build-up. A non-greasy moisturiser will be your best choice as it will gently nourish your skin and repair the damage. 

Winter moisturiser for combination skin. Like oily skin, combination skin needs a cream that's light in texture and doesn't cause oil build-up. If your skin is drier in some areas, you can opt for two types of moisturises, e.g. one for your T-zone and the second for your cheeks. 

Winter moisturiser for combination skin. Bring it on! Get the richest, thickest cream that gives your skin what it wants! 

 

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Nature powered winter moisturiser

Always remember that a moisturiser made of all-natural ingredients is your best choice as it doesn't contain toxic chemicals and supports your skin's health naturally. 

SCOUT's Nourish & Hydrate Moisture Defence Crème with White Tea, Pomegranate and Macadamia is a luxurious, silky collagen building and super nourishing moisturiser that's designed to hydrate your skin deeply. 

It's enriched with nourishing organic ingredients and works to reduce the signs of aging and prevent dryness, the most prominent skin issue in winter.

It's an ultra-luxurious, nourishing moisturiser rich in anti-ageing Super Food ingredients to boost collagen production and provide deep, long-lasting hydration. 

Among its ingredients are macadamia, shea butter and coconut that soften the skin, and Vitamins A, B, C, and K rejuvenate the skin for a healthier, smooth and supple complexion.

White Tea Extract stimulates the skin's natural collagen production, plumping your skin and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Pomegranate Extract's astringent and anti-inflammatory properties fight free radicals and repair any environmental damage to the skin cells. 

Our Moisture Defence Crème is paraben, sulphate and cruelty-free, free from artificial colours and artificial fragrances, vegan and 84% Certified Organic.

Additional winter skincare

Winter moisturiser is vital for your skin's health and beauty. But there are quite a few other things you can do to protect it during the cold winter months. 

Drink plenty of water. You should drink enough water all the time, but it's crucial to remember this during winter when we're not as thirsty as on a hot summer day. Water ensures the proper functioning of your body's organs and makes your skin look radiant and glowing.

Use a humidifier. Dry air at home or the office is one of the enemies of beautiful skin in winter, but it's easily fixable with a humidifier. Get one for all the spaces and avoid dealing with dry and itchy winter skin.

Layer your skincare. Winter moisturiser is your superstar, and the other skincare products are the supporting cast. Layering them will bring the best possible results for your skin and allow addressing different skin issues simultaneously. The best products for winter are serums, oils, masks and overnight masks. 

An overnight mask is a powerful tool to give that extra hydration and nourishment while you sleep, and used a few times a week will make a massive difference in how your skin looks and feels. 

SCOUT's Skin Perfecting Radiance Gel with Lilli Pilli, Licorice, Emu Apple and Vitamin C can be used as an overnight mask and provides deep hydration and nourishment.

Wear proper clothing. This one is not about skincare per se, but protecting it from the elements with appropriate clothing is critical. Don't forget hats, scarves that will provide coverage from wind and sun and avoid irritable fabrics and materials that could contribute to itching and discomfort. 

What not to do 

Now that you know why you need a different moisturiser for winter, what the best moisturiser for winter does and how else you can protect your skin, let's take a quick look at what you should avoid during winter.

Forget long hot baths and showers. It may feel counterintuitive as hot water is so appealing on a cold winter day. It should help, right?. Not really. Hot water strips the skin of its natural moisture and dehydrates the skin, making it even drier and itchier. 

Instead of a steamy bath or shower, take a short warm or lukewarm shower and warm up in cosy loungewear or under blankets.

If you decide to indulge, make sure you moisturise right out of the bath! 

Don't use toner too often. Even gentle toners tend to dry the skin out, so instead of using it every day, reduce the number of times you apply it to a couple of days a week or ditch it altogether. 

Don't forget to exfoliate, though, as the process helps remove dead skin cells and prepares the skin to soak up all the ingredients from your moisturiser.