Here’s How to Keep Your Skin Radiant This Winter

Come winter, and our skin shrivels up and dries and our existing skincare routine doesn’t really cut it anymore. Well, we are here to tell you that changing your winter skin care routine really doesn’t have to be all that elaborate or complex. If you follow K beauty or Korean skincare, you will know that it’s all about hydration. An easy way to make sure your skin stays hydrated throughout the season is to have a quick look at your skincare products. Make sure they’re full of ingredients that leave your skin soft, supple and moisturized!

Here are some ingredients you should incorporate into your winter skincare routine:

• Hyaluronic acid: Also known as sodium hyaluronate, this gentle acid helps deeply hydrate your skin. It does so by drawing moisture in to the skin and then, by locking it in there. It’s a must have for all skin types, especially in winter! Read more about hyaluronic acid here: Hyaluronic Acid - What Is It And What Does It Do?
• Glycerin: Another amazing humectant, this natural ingredients draws in hydration and relieves dryness and refreshes the skin. Plus, it has antimicrobial properties which can also protect the skin.
• Aloe Vera: This one should come as no surprise! This wonder plant has the ability to soothe and hydrate dry, cracked skin and supply it with essential nutrients. Win-win-winter!
• Lactic acid: We know what you’re thinking and – yes lactic acid is an AHA, but it’s an extremely gentle one, making it perfect for winters!
• Green tea: Full of antioxidants and phyto-phenols, it helps strengthen the skin barrier and make it more resilient to the harsh winds and cold of the winter
• Squalane: Think of this superlight oil as your winter saviour! Already produced by your body as squalene, squalane has antioxidants which boost skin firmness and keep it soft
• Ceramides: This ingredient makes up half of what your skin is made of – lipids. It is your skin’s first line of defence against external factors, making it a winter essential
• Cica: Packed with amino acids, beta-carotene and vitamins, cica extracts improve skin hydration and elasticity. Suitable for sensitive skin, it helps treat pimples, oiliness and strengthens the skin barrier. Read more about cica here

How do you transition your skincare for winter?

Now that you know what ingredients to look for, here’s a simple skincare routine that’ll help you sail through the winter months.

1. Never over-cleanse

The only way to start any skincare routine is by cleansing your face. During winter, you want something that is gentle and won’t strip your skin of moisture. If you’re wearing makeup, try the gentle and hydrating cica enriched Mama Cica Deep Pore Cleansing Micellar Water. Just soak a cotton ball in this micellar water and swipe across your face.

2. Layer your essence

Layering is great for retaining moisture! Take your favourite essence – ours is the Mon Cherry Intense Brightening Essence, which is enriched with glycerin, licorice and cherry blossom, leaving skin super hydrated. Take a dime-sized amount and pat it onto freshly cleansed skin until absorbed. Now, repeat the same thing until your skin is super hydrated and glowy! Pat it in until only slightly damp.

3. Take in some antioxidant goodness

Now that your skin is all prepped up, give it some glow! The Bravocado Intense Brightening Serum contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and bakuchiol to boost glow, reduce fine lines and most importantly – deeply hydrate your skin! Pat it into your skin like your essence and move on to the next step.

4. Moisturize when your skin is still damp

This is the holy grail of hydration! When you skin is still damp, it absorbs moisture better. This super light moisturizer called the Mon Cherry Ultra Light Moisturizing Gel contains skin loving ingredients like grapefruit, moringa seed oil and niacinamide which keeps the skin soft, bouncy and glowing! Massage it in until fully absorbed.

5. Give your delicate eye skin some hydration

Your under eye skin is more prone to dryness than any other part of your face and is usually the first part to show signs of ageing. Keep it moisturized and keep those pesky fine lines at bay with the Mama Cica Dark Circle Fading Under Eye Cream which contains cica and vitamin E to intensely hydrate and nourish your skin. Plus, it comes with its own roller ball applicator!

6. Moisturize your lips

Lips can get extremely dry in the winter as this skin is thinner than the rest of your face and doesn’t have any oil glands, which is why it is so important to give it some extra love. Right before you head to bed, apply a generous layer of your favourite lip balm. Look for ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to give your pout the right nourishment.

7. Seal it all in with an overnight hydration mask

While you sleep, your skin recuperates and your skin cell turnover increases. This is the perfect time to apply a luscious overnight mask that’ll infuse hydration into your skin. Try the Mon Cherry Overnight Peeling Mask that contains vitamin E and refreshing grapefruit to give you smoother, plumper and clearer skin, overnight!

8. Use a hydrating mist for a quick pick-me-up

Whenever your skin starts feeling dry in the middle of the day, give it a quick spritz of the Mon Cherry Brightening Face Mist which contains soothing evening primrose oil, hyaluronic acid and pearl which intensely hydrate your skin, on the go! Keep one in your bag, always!

9. Don't skimp on sunscreen

Just because it’s not sunny out doesn’t mean that there are no UV rays! Apply a generous layer of broad spectrum, high SPF sunscreen that is non-comedogenic in nature. Wait at least 20 minutes before you step out.

And that’s all you need to know to build the perfect skincare routine! Ready to try it out? Let us know in the comments!