Winter is a beautiful time of year. The festivities, twinned with snow, cold snaps, and icy mornings, are a winter-lover’s dream. But cold weather can bring low humidity in the air with the constant changes between the cold outdoors and indoor heating. These factors can impact the skin significantly, causing dryness, flakiness, and sensitivity, especially when using strong actives.
During the winter, many people try to combat their skin issues by cutting out retinol products from their routines; however, you can still maintain your usage of retinol without discomfort if used correctly. Here are some tips to help you winter-proof your retinol before the new year.
Master the “retinol sandwich” for optimal comfort
One of the most effective ways to protect your skin during winter, whilst using retinol, is to implement the retinol sandwich technique.
The first step is to use a thin layer of moisturizer before applying retinol cream. Make sure that the moisturizer has first been fully absorbed into the skin before applying and then seal the retinol with a second layer of moisturizer to lock this in. Doing your routine this way allows the moisturizer to act as a buffer, slowing the retinol’s absorption, minimizing irritation, and allowing the ingredient to work.
Introduce barrier-boosting companion ingredients
Retinol can be harsh on the skin barrier, which is why it is important to work in layers and layer your products around it that can support the active ingredient instead.
There are specific ingredients that specifically support the skin barrier. These products contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. To help mitigate redness or sensitivity caused by retinol, niacinamide can be used to strengthen the skin’s defense mechanism and act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Prioritize consistency over increasing potency
When your skin acts differently, it can be easy to abandon elements of your skincare routine, such as retinol.
Starting and stopping usage can be more damaging, as your skin may go through the retinol purge each time. Instead, access how often you apply it and reevaluate how often you choose to apply it, If you apply retinol nightly, consider using it every other night instead.
The long-term benefits of retinol use can be largely dependent on continuous use, as this is how your skin cells continuously renew, leaving your skin healthy and clear.
Know when to pivot to non-irritating alternatives
Retinol is amazing, but there are situations where you need to look elsewhere. If you have extremely sensitive skin or cannot tolerate the cold weather with retinol, there are gentler alternatives.
Formulas with an ingredient called bakuchiol are a great alternative. Often called “nature’s retinol”, bakuchiol is plant-based, making it vegan as well. Bakuchiol is identical to retinol in the ways it can help the skin, but it mainly does it in a gentler way. Temporarily switching to this in winter could keep your skin looking almost as good without any irritation.
