15+ years of experience

Adopt The Best Winter Skin Care Routine

woman in cold weather

It’s the end of November, and the months-long Chicago cold is already settled in comfortably for the winter. Your skin may already be crying out for a little TLC – and it’s not alone. We all benefit from a tweak to our skincare routines during the dark, frigid months. What worked in the fall isn’t going to keep your face moisturized, healthy, and glowing – and you don’t want your spring cleaning to have to include your skin. We’ve put together a guide on responsible cold weather care below. If you’re looking for some professional help, check out our specials for what we’re currently offering to soothe dry skin and consider a facial for expert revitalization!

Make Moisturizing Your Best Friend

As the air cools off, it also gets drier. This is the true culprit of winter skin damage. The skin struggles to protect itself in freezing, dry air, and can experience superficial cracks, dehydration, and inflammation (none of which are a good look). A more robust moisturizer can help combat these effects. Thicker creams will protect the skin and prevent it from cracking or drying out. Keep an eye out for glycerin or sorbitol, which help draw in what moisture there is in the winter air. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, ask us for a product recommendation that will help give your skin what it needs without pushing it into oil slick territory.

You can also try getting a humidifier to force a little extra moisture back into your home environment.

Cleanse Responsibly

Harsh soaps can become problematic when your skin is already sensitive from the cold. If you typically use aggressive exfoliating cleansers or foaming scrubs, try switching to something lower key. This should help prevent skin irritation.

Skip the Long, Hot Showers

We know that they sometimes feel like the only thing that can warm you up after a long February day – but spending an extended amount of time in a hot shower actually dries out your skin. Then, you’re dealing with dryness and flaking across your body and on your face, and nobody deserves that! Try to keep your showers warm and quick, and apply moisturizers immediately after stepping out of the shower. Applying in the 3 minutes after a shower leads to products being as effective as possible. This is because they lock moisture within your skin before it starts drying post-bathing. Try lightly patting down your body instead of rubbing it with a towel, so that your skin is still a little damp when you apply.

Exfoliate Gently but Regularly

It might feel like the opposite of what you should be doing for aggravated skin, but gentle exfoliation will make creams and other products more effective. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that are lurking on the surface, allowing moisturizers to better penetrate. Use a superfine exfoliant and a microfiber washcloth for fragile or already sensitive skin.

Don’t Forget Your SPF

Even though the sun may be hiding, your skin is still vulnerable to UVA rays. Avoid unveiling new signs of aging when you uncover next summer. Wear a moisturizer with SPF even if there isn’t a ray of sunlight in the sky.

Try a Winter Facial

A facial offers a 1-2-3 punch for dry wintertime skin. It will improve circulation to promote healing, offer deep cleansing, and restore missing moisture for heightened hydration. We’ll assess your skin’s needs to provide the facial that fits just right.


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