How to achieve your best skin - even when it's cold outside
We experience this phenomenon every year: the seasons changing. Once November hits, we can sense those familiar cold weather patterns creeping back in: feeling sleepier, getting home when it’s already dark out, waking up earlier in the morning to defrost our cars before work/school, and simply feeling more isolated from the world in general.
Even though we experience it every year, we still stumble through the seasonal transition like babies learning to walk for the first time. It takes a while, but we eventually accept this brutal fact: we’re in for another five months of cold weather.
Mentally accepting the changing seasons is one thing, but we often forget about the changes we make in our physical world; our routines and habits. What changes are you making in your winter skincare routine to protect your skin? Sure, the sun is out for less time in the winter– but temperatures drop drastically and cold winds only amplify the process of dehydrating your skin.
For instance: has your skin been feeling dry and tight lately, even though your skincare routine hasn’t changed? Our skin thrives on consistency, and when you live in an environment where the seasons change…it feels like an impossible feat to achieve skin we feel confident about every day.
Instead of feeling self conscious, powerless, and frustrated about your dry skin and cracked heels, imagine what it would be like to feel relieved, confident, and hopeful about your winter skin?
I know it’s hard to believe that you could have glowing, hydrated skin while living in Minnesota in the winter months, but I have some (free) advice that will help you prepare your skin for the cold months ahead!
Take it from me – I am a true oily skin girlie and over the last couple of weeks I’ve noticed my skin feeling dry after I complete my skincare routine. So… I swapped out one of my serums for something else, and it’s taken that tight feeling away. Sometimes it’s as easy as changing one little step in your routine!
If you’re not sure how to adjust your skincare routine for fall and winter: send me a DM over instagram, and let’s get you signed up for a virtual/in person skin consultation so I can help you ASAP!
But if you’re here for more general cold weather skincare advice, keep reading <3
Cold Weather Skincare Tips
(For those of you experiencing a climate thats chilly but not frigid)
1. Reverse summer sun damage → No matter how much you prioritized SPF this summer, it’s likely that you still experienced some sun damage - visible or not. (Check out my incidental sun exposure blog to learn more!) Unless you were diligent with applying and reapplying regularly, your skin may need help to remedy sun spots or hyperpigmentation.
Sunni’s Solution: The innovative formulas that make up Skin by Sunni’s brightening skincare collection will help target, lighten + brighten common signs of aging skin caused by the sun.
2. Target skin sensitivity → Every skin will react differently as surroundings, circumstances + age change so your skincare routine should reflect that!
Sunni’s Solution: Whether you notice sudden dryness, irritation or redness, add a soothing formula from our sensitive skin line to be proactive against sudden signs of sensitivities.
3. Exfoliate with care → Regular exfoliation has many benefits but it’s important to approach exfoliating with caution. Too frequent or too aggressive of an exfoliator can unnecessarily damage your skin and/or make it more sensitive; not exfoliating enough can cause skin to become more congested and intensify any other skin issues you have.
Sunni’s Solution: Opt for a leave-on gel chemical exfoliator (as opposed to a physical exfoliator) from our skincare collection if you want smoother, softer skin without any mess or extra work!
4. Lock in hydration → As the temps drop, the natural humidity of summer disappears from the air. Don’t let the cold temps and harsh winds rob your skin of its moisture!
Sunni’s Solution: Incorporating an ultra-hydrating treatment mask + an occlusive facial oil from our skincare line will lock in moisture, deliver natural dewiness & diminish the appearance of fine lines. If you’re feeling extra sensitive to dryness (even in your own home), consider getting a humidifier. And if you’re thrifty like me, I recommend checking Facebook Marketplace before spending money on a new one at the store :)
Winter Weather Skincare Tips
(For my fellow Minnesotans and winter weather-dwelling friends)
In addition to the four cold weather skincare tips above, I have some specifically winter skincare tips for you! If you want to get through winter with silky-smooth skin, you need to start building preventative habits: now.
Protect your skin when you’re outdoors → Winter is a thief! Taking our daylight and our body’s moisture. Cold winter air has a ridiculously low moisture content; it literally steals moisture from your skin (throwback to learning about osmosis in biology class!) When you add wind to this equation, the molecules of water in your skin are stolen even faster: resulting in dry, flaky, irritated, itchy skin.
Sunni’s Solutions:
Maintain a barrier between your skin and the air by layering on clothing and a professional moisturizer!
Always wrap a scarf around your face because any bare skin [like cheeks] will dry out faster so you need to decrease skin exposure.
Protect your skin when you’re indoors → The same cold air that’s damaging your skin when you’re outside is also stealing moisture from the air inside your home!
Sunni’s Solutions:
Pre-protect your skin by applying a thick moisturizing crème before you bundle up and go outside. Skin by Sunni’s Skincare Collection has an extremely rich, non-greasy crème expertly designed to replenish missing moisture and protect your skin from the winter air.
Upgrade your daily moisturizing cream to a thicker, richer formula! Hint: look for ingredients that have been proven to balance and hydrate your skin: like silver ear mushroom and ceramides!
Create an intentional lip care routine! Your lips are exposed to the elements more frequently than the rest of your skin, so they should be given their own specific treatment. My Bioelements-Partnered Skin by Sunni Skincare Collection has exfoliating creams and hydrating serums for you to fall in love with this winter! Ask me about them at an appointment or DM me on instagram if you have questions :)
Base your skincare on your region! One of my favorite partners, Bioelements, has a really great visual on their website to help you figure out what you need to get your best skin this winter, based on where you live!
Final Thoughts on Winter Skincare Struggles:
Many people struggle with their skin in the winter, and many of them don’t realize there are easy solutions to their problems!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just not sure how to modify your specific skincare routine for cold weather, I really encourage you to reach out to me. I’m a millennial queer hippie who actually enjoys using instagram, so feel free to DM me if you want judgement-free skin advice and a new friend!
Building easy to maintain, personalized skincare routines that achieve your skin goals is one of my biggest accomplishments as your friendly neighborhood esthetician! In all sincerity, I care about you and I honestly want to help you achieve your dream skin. Let’s keep your skin happy all year long! 💛 Xo, Sunni
Follow me on Instagram for more skincare tips + tricks!! 💛
