If you live in tropical areas then you will be familiar with the very hot sun and dry winds of the Harmattan. This period is particularly the harshest period for the skin as the air becomes dusty and very dry, not to mention the scorching sun that shines from 9 a.m. to at least 4 p.m. It, therefore, is super important to adapt your skincare routine during this period to avoid regular breakouts, dehydration, and sunburns. This is also valid for those living in the northern hemisphere where the winter months equally dry out the skin. In today’s article, you’ll learn 3 simple ways to protect your skin and sustain its natural glow!
Switch To a Thicker Moisturizer and/or Healing Ointment
Chances are your regular moisturizer may not be thick enough to protect your skin from transepidermal water loss throughout the dry season. Remember during this period your skin is losing water day and night due to high temperatures and a very dry atmosphere. As such you will need a creamy textured moisturizer to seal off moisture better. This is not only recommended for people with dry skin but for all skin types. Yes, even with oily skin, a good example is the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer. I have tried out the Natural Moisturizing Factors from The Ordinary. That is one hell of a good facial moisturizer very suitable for dry seasons.
If you do not feel comfortable using creamy moisturizers, you could reinforce your routine by applying a healing ointment or vaseline after your lightweight moisturizer. Yes, you read me right Vaseline just like healing ointments is a skin protectant made with refined petroleum jelly. They form an occlusive barrier on the skin and slow down the loss of moisture as well as trap all actives layered before enhancing their penetration.
The dry season is also the ideal time to take out your facial oils. Although not thick facial oils will help nourish your skin at night and repair any damage caused during the day by the sun.
Include a Face Mist in Your Routine
Face mist in my opinion just like essences is one of the most underrated skincare products despite its benefits to keeping the skin hydrated. If you know me, you know my motto for healthy skin is hydration.
Face mists are water-based products that deliver an instant boost of hydration to the skin. They are formulated to soothe the skin and calm down irritations, sunburns, and inflammations on the skin.
Spraying this product in between the steps of your routine helps hydrate but also enhances the penetration of our products. Remember you can always reply throughout the day whenever you feel your is dry or feels irritated. If you want to try this out check out the Thermal Spring Water mist by AVENE. The great thing is that it is readily available in multiple pharmacies.
Switch to Hydrating Natural Soaps
It's been 2 years since I made the switch to natural soaps and it has been one of the most determining decisions I've ever made to improve my skin’s health. Why? Well unlike most bathing gels and bar soaps you are used to, natural soaps have hydrating and moisturizing properties.
Most soaps sold on the market are made with harsh sulfate-based detergents like Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl sulfate that tend to be too harsh on the skin. These are synthetic cleansers that strip off dirt as well as all the natural oil present on your skin necessary to maintain the skin’s barrier. This is what causes the tight feeling you experience after taking a bath.
Natural soaps on the other hand are made with nourishing natural plant oils that are gentle on the skin with fatty acid profiles similar to those present on the skin. Natural soaps are equally superfatted. This means that after rinsing of foam from these soaps a thin layer of oil remains on your skin to trap in some moisture gotten from water during your shower. A good example is the @weirdskins TURMERIC x CITRONELLA CLEANSING BAR.
Product Recommendations to Adapt Your Skincare Routine To Dry Seasons
Cerave Healing Ointment
This rich healing ointment contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help protect and soothe dry, cracked, and chafed skin. This is ideal for barrier repair during the Harmattan cold nights. By far my favorite healing ointment.
Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream
This repair cream has similar ingredients as the Cerave healing ointment and is a great substitute. Its focus is barrier repair and this cream contains ceramides as well as amino acids which will help rebuild the skin's building block for plump and well-nourished skin during the dry season.
FAQs
Should Your Skincare Routine Change With Seasons?
Absolutely! You need to adapt your skincare routine when the climate changes because climate changes also cause changes to the skin.
What Should I Add To My Skincare Routine During The Dry Season?
During the dry season, hydration should be your priority and this is the best time to invest in hydrating toners, face mists, or essences. Also, switch to thicker moisturizers as temperatures at night then to be colder.
How Do You Moisturize Your Face In A Dry Climate?
In a dry and humid climate switch to a lightweight moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. However, in dry and cold climates switch to thicker creams that contain peptides and ceramides.
What Serums Are Good For Dry Climates?
Hydrating serums that also contain barrier-strengthening ingredients like niacinamide, panthenol, oatmeal, peptides or hyaluronic acid can help keep your skin healthy during the dry season.