What’s winter like? The answer seems very obvious, but we would like you to ask yourself this out loud to better understand our 10 tips to take care of yourself at this time of year.
Winter is generally cold, we are exposed to less sunlight and in many areas it can be drier than usual. Obviously this dramatically affects our skin, it becomes drier due to the lack of light and moisture, so your self-care ritual must adapt.
Mistake # 1: Skipping exfoliation
It is important that you do not skip the scrub, since your skin is drier during the winter, your pores can get clogged, leading to some uncomfortable bumps. We must also keep in mind that as your skin is more sensitive, you have to choose a less abrasive scrub with an alpha-hydroxyl acid (AHA) base for a more gentle exfoliation. Once a week is enough.
Mistake # 2: Using only oil-free moisturizer
If you have oily or combination skin, you might think moisturizers are your worst enemy, leaving your skin even greasier. You may have even stopped moisturizing all together, or are using the famous oil-free formulas.
Well we have to bust some myths; your skin needs to be hydrated, even if you have oily or combination skin. If you stop hydrating your skin, this will produce a rebound effect, so you have to look for a long-term moisturizing cream that respects your skin.
The new oil-free creams may be good for oily skin, but during the wintertime, especially if you live in a dry climate, we recommend that you put away those creams and try using a moisturizer with essential oils; you will notice a big difference in your skin.
Mistake # 3: Sunscreen is just for summer
Ultraviolet and infrared rays affect our skin all year round. Indeed, in summer we spend more hours in the sun, but also in winter we go to the mountains, are out in the snow and we do have to protect ourselves a lot. Ideally you should include applying your sunscreen in your daily routine, like brushing your teeth.
Mistake # 4: Abuse of acne products
Acne products are usually abrasive and should be used sparingly during the winter to avoid unwanted effects on your skin, such as leaving it more sensitive, red and very dry. Especially avoid products containing alcohol. We recommend reviewing tonics labels, and substituting alcohol-based tonics for products with a base of botanical extracts.
Mistake # 5: I do not change my foundation for anything in the world!
You are obsessed with your foundation, we know, but did you know you should have two different types, one for summer and one for winter? Your skin varies depending on the season, in the summer we all like to go to the beach, and with the heat we like a foundation with a matte effect. In the winter we search for a hydrating foundation for more moisture, leaving our face "juicy".

Mistake # 6: Hands and feet in the summer!
Don’t be lazy, you have to take care of your hands and feet in the winter, in a few months you'll want to show them off again in all their glory. Spring is just around the corner, so moisturizing overnight with specific products is key. It is more convenient and easy: put a good moisturizer on your feet with socks, so the skin absorbs the product more easily.
Mistake # 7: Water is for fish
Water is life, it is essential during the summer to keep you hydrated and cool during the day, but it is also important in winter. At this time of year it will help you prevent those annoying colds and keep your skin hydrated.
Mistake # 8: Hot shower every day
Here we will be brief: with this cold weather, we all give in to some long-lasting hot showers. But we have to inform you, that's not the best thing for your skin. If you go over 15 minutes, you can compromise your skin’s hydrolipidic film, responsible for retaining hydration.
Mistake # 9: Choosing your lipstick based on color trends
It is important to have pretty, shiny lips, but we always forget to take care of them. The trick is to hydrate well. Therefore we are going to help you pick a good lipstick: you have to pay attention to the ingredients and not just the color.
Be careful, products containing petroleum jelly and menthol may temporarily solve the problem of chapped lips, but in the long run they will eventually get drier. You will become addicted and won’t be able to stop using them! Technical stuff: the petrolatum molecule is hydrophobic; this means that it expels water molecules from your skin, even creating a "protective" layer. Ideally you should find lipsticks rich in vegetable butters, waxes and oils, to fix the root of the problem.
Mistake # 10: Humidity? For what?
Moisture is essential to hydration. You should get an air humidifier; it is a "must" to pamper yourself during the drier months. Living with an adequate level of moisture will improve your skin, hair, and most importantly it will prevent and help respiratory diseases and allergies. Choose the model that suits you, you can find one that will look great in your living room.