Best Skincare Ingredients for Hydrated Winter Skin

What skincare ingredients are good for winter skin? You must address this question before you shop for new products to add to your winter skincare regimen. It’s important to emphasise skin hydration because winter can be drying on your skin, as the cold air can zap all of the moisture on your skin. This guide is what you need to know about the best skincare ingredients to hydrate your winter skin and keep it healthy and nourished, not dry and dull.

Make Your Winter Skin Glow with the Best Skincare Ingredients

Skin hydration should be your top priority when it comes to your winter skincare routine. It is a common issue when the weather conditions turn cold. Hence, you need to up your hydration game because your traditional skincare routine won’t be enough. You could end up with dry, dull skin that looks hydrated and lacks nourishment.

While winter could be harsh on your skin, you can’t let it get the best of you. Simple improvements to your daily skincare routine will restore the natural moisture of the skin and reinforce the natural skin barrier. Below are the top skincare ingredients for winter.

Occlusives

Occlusives are one of three major classifications of moisturising ingredients you will commonly find in skincare products for winter (or for dry skin!). This ingredient provides a protective seal for your skin to help lock in moisture. It does not work by increasing the hydration level on your skin, though. Instead, it prevents your skin from being stressed by environmental factors that can cause a loss of moisture.

Occlusives are oily ingredients that coat the skin and act as a protective seal so you don’t lose moisture, regardless of external factors. This protective layer also defends the skin against various types of harmful particles such as allergens that can harm the skin.

Due to their quality, occlusives can be greasy or heavy. Therefore, they must be used with other ingredients to lighten them up. Here are examples of occlusive skincare ingredients:

• Jojoba oil
• Argan oil
• Castor oil
• Lanolin
• Cocoa butter
• Beeswax

Humectants

Humectants are another category of the best skincare ingredients for hydrated winter skin. This ingredient pulls water into the skin so they help inject moisture into the deeper layers of the skin. This type of moisturising ingredient is light so it can be quickly absorbed by the skin. It is also recommended for acne-prone skin.

Here are some of the best humectants you’ll find in many hydrating skincare products for winter:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Salicylic acid
• Alpha hydroxy acids
• Glycerin
• Urea
• Propylene glycol

Emollients

Emollients complete this list of the best skincare ingredients for winter. It is slightly thicker and richer than humectants. It is a common ingredient used in lotions, balms, and creams.

This ingredient keeps the skin soft while repairing any signs of skin damage. It is recommended for dry and aging skin, while also restoring the natural barrier of the skin. Use this ingredient if you are prone to eczema, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Here are some of the best emollients used in hydrating skincare products for winter:

• Fatty acids (emu or mink)
• Shea butter
• Cocoa butter
• Plant oils
• Mineral oils

How to prevent your skin from becoming dry in the winter?

As mentioned above, you must keep up with your skincare routine to cope with the harsh conditions of winter. In some cases, prevention is better than cure.

Dry skin can manifest using various symptoms such as rednesss, rough texture, flakiness, and cracks on the skin surface. When you see these signs, your skin needs help!

Here are some changes to incorporate into your winter routine to prevent dry skin.

• Moisturise after washing your hands. Use a moisturising hand cream to fortify your skin’s moisture level.
• Use sunscreen daily – yes, even in winter. The UV light in the winter can damage your skin’s moisture barrier.
• Invest in an overnight treatment. Choose an emollient night cream designed to repair your skin while you sleep.
• Minimise exfoliation. Exfoliation is a must to remove dead skin cells on your skin’s surface. However, over-exfoliation has its drawbacks and can make your skin prone to dryness in winter.
• Hydrate your skin from the inside. Update your diet to include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to promote the production of healthy skin cells.

What are your favourite skincare ingredients for winter?

There you go! With this list of the best skincare ingredients to hydrate your winter skin, you’ll know what to look for when shopping for winter skincare products!

You can browse our selection of moisturising products including day creams, night creams, and hand creams. These are must-haves for winter!