Struggling from skin surface dryness, excessive dehydration, redness, itchiness, flakiness, stinging skin, etc., this winter season? If you experience any of these conditions or all together at once, this is for you. Here are the best winter skincare ingredients to add to your routine ASAP!
Look for these ingredients in your winter skincare products to keep your skin hydrated and soft from the inside to the surface.
HYALURONIC ACID:
Hyaluronic Acid is an ingredient that you should be looking out for throughout the year, but during winters, it’s non-negotiable! So, when your product contains at least one or more Hyaluronic Acid form in the first half of the it will definitely help in reducing inner skin dryness and dehydration.
Hyaluronic acid not only helps in immediately hydrating and plumping skin, but it also complements skin barrier strengthening or brightening products for more effective results.
If you have oily skin, check out these two lightweight Hyaluronic acid toners for winter:
If you have normal, dry or combination skin and prefer to use something rich for skin hydration in winter season, then check out:
PEPTIDES:
Peptides not only provide anti-aging benefits to the skin by boosting skin collagen, but also improve skin hydration level by improving skin ability to hold moisture. In fact, because of this moisture improving virtue of peptides, they are often used in many skincare products. So, whenever you see a product with peptides in the ingredients list, get it! Because with consistent usage of such products, you will notice a natural reduction in skin dryness.
For example, Klairs Fundamental Watery Oil Drop contains a very low percentage of peptides, but it sure enough improves your skin moisture level.
PROPOLIS:
Propolis is another one of the best winter skincare ingredients you can ask for! This power ingredient has numerous skin functions. But when it comes to winter skin rescue, it protects the skin barrier, hydrates it moderately, and reduces redness is caused by cold wind and dryness. In case your skin is sensitive to Hyaluronic Acid or Peptide, then propolis is a great alternative! It is also extremely safe to use, even on the most sensitive skin.
I highly recommend the COSRX Propolis Toner and COSRX Propolis Light Ampoule. Both of these products have propolis as key ingredient in high concentration. If you have oily or combination skin, you should check COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner for this winter season. It is lightweight yet sufficiently moisturizing. On the other hand, if you have normal or combination or dry skin, then COSRX Propolis Light Ampoule is worth trying.
CERAMIDES:
We all know that ceramides are naturally found in our skin lipid along with cholesterols and fatty acid. When our skin shows signs of abnormal dryness, itchiness, rashes and redness, these are clear signs of skin damage. When this happens, our skin needs something similar to skin lipid to help replenish the lost natural moisture. During this damaged skin phase, it becomes extremely important to look out for skincare products that contain ceramides.
Check out the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream which is my go-to for winter seasons. Except for those with oily skin, this moisturiser is perfect for all skin types. This cream is not only skin barrier friendly but also helps in boosting skin hydration level. Go here to read why this moisturiser is my winter holy grail.
For oily skin, I want to recommend the Somebymi Snail Trucica Miracle Repair Cream. This will not only heal your skin barrier but also lighten acne marks gradually due to the snail mucin present in it.
RICE EXTRACT:
I love Rice Extract in my skincare products as this ingredient not only brightens the skin but also protects the skin barrier. Therefore, using a skincare product with Rice Extract as key ingredient will help in reducing the winter dryness and dullness.
I highly recommend I’m From Rice Toner for all skin types, except oily skin. This is one of my most favorite toners, not only for winter but throughout the year for my dry skin.
If you are someone who is not a fan of facial oils but still need something lightweight and non-sticky to nourish skin, I suggest looking into the Klairs Fundamental Watery Oil Drop. Suitable for all skin types even oily skin because of its ultra-lightweight consistency. The texture is a bit oil-like even though it is oil free.
Lastly, if you have normal to dry skin and need a good slug of Rice extract along with Niacinamide, do try COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask. It is bsically a sleeping mask, which can also be used as a daily moisturizer.
PLANT BUTTER AND OILS:
Whenever you notice ingredients like Shea Butter, Squalane, Sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, Argan seed oil, macademia seed oil, palm kernel oil, etc. in ingredient list, these are nothing but plant seed extracted oils and butters. They are rich in fatty acids and help in softening and moisturizing skin by preventing moisture loss from the skin. Products rich in such ingredients are best used at last step of skincare routine to conceal everything used before.
Check out the Purito Dermide Cica Barrier Sleeping Pack, again something that works fabulously as day moisturizer as well. It contains the goodness of many face oils and plant-based butters along with skin calming Centella extracts and its bioactive derivatives. During the winter season, this Sleeping Mask can be used by all skin types except extremely oily skin.
The Cosrx Balancium Comfort Ceramide Cream is yet another good option for dry skin types. Another moisturizer I absolutely love for having the fatty acids goodness from oils and butters is the Etude House Soon Jung 2X Barrier Intensive Cream. Again, this cream is suitable for all skin types except for oily skin.
THE BOTTOMLINE:
The key takeaway is to focus on ingredients that are hydrating, help retain skin’s moisture by preventing the trans epidermal water loss. This can be achieved only by using ingredients that are water attracting, occlusive and also have the skin barrier strengthening properties.
Have you tried ingredients for winter? Let me know which ingredient is your winter favorite? I would love to read your preferences!
