How to keep your skin healthy in the winter

As an expat from California, the weather in Amsterdam was a shock when I moved here. The temperatures aren’t terrible, but the intense icy winds can wreak havoc on your skin. But over the past two years in Amsterdam I’ve developed a few routines – and found a few amazing products – that keep my skin hydrated in cold weather. So, I was inspired to write a follow up to my winter hair care post – this time including some of my favorite winter skincare advice. Here are my tried & true tips for how to keep your skin healthy in the winter.

(1) Get a humidifier

Dry air (especially from central heating) can be awful on your skin. What has worked best for me is a humidifier that adds moisture to the air while you sleep. Make sure you get one that’s easy to clean, like this one (EU link). And a tip: check that the one you purchase will cover the size of your bedroom.

(2) Don’t skip exfoliators

You may be tempted to skip your acids and exfoliators when your skin is particularly dry. But they’re even more important during colder months. Clearing off dead skin cells will allow products to be absorbed, and help prevent pores from getting clogged. I prefer acids to rough grain exfoliators for my face, so I use a Vitamin C / acid combination a few times per week in the morning. My two favorites are Skinceuticals, Drunk Elephant (EU link), and the powder version from Agent Nateur. I also alternate other products (like lactic acids) 2x per week in the evenings. Below are some of my favorites.

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(3) Drink more water

This is crucial. Water keeps your skin hydrated from the inside, and adequate hydration is important for all sorts of functions within your body. I aim for 8-10 glasses a day. It sounds like a lot, but it’s easy if you can squeeze a few in during the morning. I try to have 3 glasses while I’m working out / getting ready, and I also keep a bottle or pitcher on my desk. One of my coworkers sent me this article years ago which convinced me! And sparkling water hydrates just as well as regular water, so if you need some variety try getting a Sodastream.

(4) Switch your cleansing routine

I always change my moisturizers for winter (favorite: US link // EU link), and use this life-saver moisture mask (EU link), but recently I’ve also switched my cleansing routine. I found this oil (NL link) through one of my favorite beauty influencers, and it’s been a game changer for my skin. It’s a fairly light cleanser, so I also double cleanse beforehand with a cream or oil cleanser to remove makeup. Some of my favorite cleansers to use before the oil are below.

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(5) Clean up your diet

Your diet has a HUGE impact on your face. Unfortunately alcohol and sugars are terrible for your skin (and dairy isn’t great either). But as I mentioned in my haircare post, I’m all about balance. Food & wine are one of life’s greatest joys – I have pizza at least once a week and I love a good beaujolais. However, like most things in life, moderation is key.

I try to eat a lot of hydrating and moisturizing food during the week. My favorites are cucumbers, celery, avocado, and nuts. I also eat a lot of things that provide essential fatty acids, like salmon and flax seeds. And if you don’t think you’re getting enough nutrients in your food, the supplements I recommend in this post are also good for your skin.

(6) Don’t forget about the rest of your body

Your lips & hands need love too – even more so in cold weather. I love old school Carmex for lips, and this rich hand cream (EU link). I also try to give my fingers & toes a break from polish, and the last step in my evening routine is a cuticle & nail oil to prevent brittle nails.  Lastly, exfoliation is also important for your body – try something like this cult favorite body polish (EU link). Find some of my favorite products for the rest of your body below. 

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(7) Invest in the right tools

All of the steps above will do wonders, but there have been a lot of advances in technology that will really help keep your skin healthy. Two of my best purchases over the last year were new beauty tools. But there’s a lot out there, so finding the right ones can be tough. I use this microcurrent tool (US link // EU link) under my eyes, and this LED face mask (US link // EU link) for overall collagen production. Check out this post for more info on why I love LED masks. 

Let me know which of these tips you found helpful by tagging me on Instagram. And if you loved this post, please share it on social media!