As the seasons change and temperatures drop, our skincare needs to shift too. Winter brings with it cold, dry air that can negatively impact our skin. Dryness, flakiness, and irritation are the most common concerns experienced by many during the colder months. To combat these effects and keep your skin healthy and radiant throughout the colder season, it's essential to adjust your skincare regime and incorporate the right product into your winter skincare routine. Here are our top picks for the winter skincare essentials you need right here at deiji:

Hydrating Oil and Water-based Cleansers

Opt for creamy oil-based cleansers that help to maintain moisture balance and leave your skin feeling soft and nourished. Oil-based cleansers are an excellent part of skincare routines, especially in K-beauty routines known for their double cleansing method. Hydrating cleansers help to maintain the skin's moisture balance by effectively removing dirt, sweat, and excess oil without leaving the skin feeling tight or dry. Here are our favourite must-have oil-based cleanser and water-based cleanser that are well-suited for winter:

Heimish All Clean Balm

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Coconut Extract, Citrus Oils

Benefits: This balm melts and emulsifies into an oil upon application, effectively dissolving makeup, sunscreen, and impurities without stripping the skin. It leaves the skin feeling soft, hydrated, and clean, making it suitable for all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin in winter. 

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Cleanser

• To combat dryness during cleansing, we recommend Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Cleanser. It is a slightly acidic cleanser with a pH of 5.0-6.0 that cleanses and nourishes the skin while preventing overdrying of the skin. 
• It contains Vita Hyaluronic Acid and NMF (natural moisturising factor) that helps to form a moisture barrier to lock hydration in.

While giving your skin a break from exfoliating during winter can be beneficial. If your goal is to address dead skin cells during the colder months, consider incorporating a gentle exfoliating product into your skincare routine in addition to using the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Cleanser. 

Serum

Serums are particularly important due to their concentrated formulations. They play a crucial role in winter skincare due to the specific challenges that the cold weather poses to the skin. Being tempted to shower in hot water during this season is an easy common mistake to damage your skin barrier. So this is where replenishing the moisture loss back into your skin is important!

The Torriden Hyaluronic Acid Serum 

• Contains a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin at a deeper level and is fragrance-free.
• This is crucial in winter when the cold air and indoor heating can lead to dryness and dehydration.
• Benefit: Hyaluronic acid also has soothing and calming properties, which can help alleviate any irritation or sensitivities caused by cold weather or dry indoor environments. This makes the serum suitable for those with sensitive skin prone to winter flare-ups.

Rich Moisturiser

In winter, a lightweight moisturiser may not provide enough hydration. So switching to a richer, more emollient moisturiser creates a protective barrier on your skin. Apply a moisturiser that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides that are excellent for attracting and retaining moisture. 

Our top pick is The COSRX Comfort Ceramide Cream.

• Benefits: Ceramides are essential lipids naturally found in the skin's barrier. They help to retain moisture, strengthen the skin barrier, and protect against environmental stressors. 
• The COSRX Comfort Ceramide Cream is a velvety, thick cream that contains a high concentration of ceramides to replenish the skin's lipid barrier. 

But not to worry - despite its rich formulation, the cream typically has a non-greasy texture that absorbs well into the skin. This makes it comfortable for you to use during the day under makeup or even layered with other skincare products without leaving a heavy or sticky residue which is even suitable for those with oily skin. A super great pick to combat that winter dryness!

Protective Lip Balm

Don’t forget to protect your lips! Cold weather, air and wind can cause lips to become dry, cracked, and uncomfortable. But we’ve got you covered:

The Canola Honey Lip Balm

This Intensive Moisture by Innisfree offers several benefits that make it a popular choice for lip care not just for winter but also all year round. 

• Benefit: The lip balm is formulated with canola honey extract, which is known for its moisturising and nourishing properties. It deeply hydrates the lips, providing immediate relief from dryness and preventing moisture loss. Essential for every day! Keep it in your pockets or handbag for fast application when out and about too.

Eye Cream

The delicate skin around your eyes can also suffer from dryness and fine lines during winter. Use an eye cream that’s specifically formulated to hydrate and protect this sensitive area. Look for ingredients like peptides, centella or antioxidants to help reduce puffiness and dark circles.

The Purito Wonder Releaf Centella Eye Cream 

This is a must-have for these colder months in your beauty bag. 

• Benefit: The eye cream provides deep hydration to the under-eye area. The colder conditions tend to dry out the skin, and this eye cream helps to replenish moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and preventing dryness and flakiness.
• Antioxidants present in Centella Asiatica in the eye cream help to protect the delicate skin around the eyes from free radical damage. It promotes a smoother and more radiant appearance, which is extremely beneficial in combating dullness that can occur in winter!

Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Remember, skincare isn’t just about the products you use. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also contribute to your skin’s overall health. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, wear gloves to keep your hands protected from harsh environmental conditions, and get enough sleep to allow your skin time to repair and regenerate.

By incorporating these winter skincare essentials into your daily routine, you can protect your skin from the harsh effects of winter and maintain a healthy, radiant complexion all season long. Embrace the change in seasons with a skincare regimen that nurtures and protects your skin, ensuring you glow from the inside out despite the chilly weather outside.