Achieving a youthful glow can be tricky in the best of times, and made even trickier in the drier and colder months of winter. Thanks to the combination of harsh winds, cold temperatures, hot showers and dry indoor heating, our skin can be left feeling a tad lacklustre and susceptible to dryness, flakiness and an overall dull complexion. The last thing we want over the festive season…
To help you maintain your gorgeous summer glow all year round, we have created your go-to winter skincare guide that will inject instant hydration and life back into your thirsty skin! Hello glow.
1. Double dose of moisture
Finding a hydrating and long-lasting moisturizer is your first step towards a youthful glow in winter. Applying a moisturizer every morning will help replenish any lost hydration and leave a dewy soft-to-the-touch glow. We recommend the Obagi Hydrate® with its 2-in-1 Hydromanil Technology that will deliver hydration for up to 8 hours! Packed with Avocado Oil and Glycerin, this is the ultimate hydrator that will help you achieve your winter skincare goals.
Sometimes, more is more… And that is true with moisturizing skincare products in winter. To keep your skin topped up on hydration, add in an intense moisturizer to your evening skincare routine. For this we recommend the Obagi Hydrate Luxe®. With its luxurious and ultra-rich balm-like texture, the Obagi Hydrate Luxe® will deliver biomimetic peptides to boost the barrier function of your skin, delivering continuous hydration and overnight moisturisation. Apply this overnight moisturizer to your face and neck to wake up and glow.
2. Ditch the hot showers
There is nothing quite like the feeling of jumping into a hot steamy shower after braving the cold outside. Whilst this guilty pleasure is perfect for warming the cockles of our hearts, our skin isn’t so much of a fan. The heat from the piping hot water can strip our skin from the essential oils that keep our complexion looking dewy and hydrated, leaving our skin vulnerable to dryness and flakiness.
Whilst this winter skincare tip may be hard to implement to begin with, after taking lukewarm showers you will notice a change in how your skin feels post-soak and won’t want to turn back. Say goodbye to red, tight and dry feeling skin, and hello to your new winter glow.
3. Hydrate from within
Across social media it seems like everyone is attempting the gallon-a-day challenge to beat their winter skin woes. But there is science behind the madness! Drinking plenty of water each day not only benefits our overall health, well-being and energy levels, but it also directly impacts our skin. Even if you aren’t managing a gallon, upping your daily fluid intake will help keep your skin moisturised and dewy, fighting off that flakey winter skin.
4. Retinol
One thing that most skincare experts can all agree on is the effectiveness of retinol. If you are well versed in skincare ingredients, chances are you’ve already stumbled upon this wonder ingredient.
Retinol is a Vitamin A and an anti-ageing powerhouse, fighting against fine lines, wrinkles, texture, uneven skin tone and acne. Adding retinol to your winter skincare routine will help to exfoliate your skin on a cellular level, increase cell turnover and collagen production, helping you to not only reveal smoother skin and unclog pores, but also preparing your skin for enhanced absorption of other skincare products. Without first removing the dead surface level of skin cells, you won’t be getting your bang for your buck when it comes to the rest of your winter skincare routine! Adding a retinol to your collection is a worthy investment.
You can explore Obagi’s much-loved retinol skincare products below with varying levels of concentration, so you can find the perfect fit for your skin and its level of sensitivity.
5. Keep topped up on SPF
SPF and sunscreen is synonymous with summer. Whether you are a skincare junkie or a newbie in the world of skincare, the chances are you are already applying skincare regularly during those spicy summer months. But as you pack away your summer wardrobe for the colder months, make sure you aren’t packing away that SPF. Whilst wardrobes rotate seasonally, and skincare products change, one thing should remain your year-round go-to, and that is a daily sunscreen.
Even with the clouds and rain setting in winter 2022 those damaging UVA and UVB rays are still present, causing damage to our skin and causing premature ageing, fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots and in some cases, even skin cancer. By applying SPF year-round you will be helping to maintain that youthful glow in winter, not only this year, but for years to come! Prevention really is better than a cure.
OBAGI360 Hydrafactor® SPF 30 is great if you’re looking for a 2-in-1 moisturiser and sunscreen. It gives you all-day hydration and protects your skin from UV rays. Alternatively, the Obagi Sun Shield Matte™ Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is ideal for providing a broad spectrum of protection for those who want a matte, sheer finish.
