Saudi winters are characterized by a drier climate, cooler breezes and lower temperatures. However, while this means it’s the best time of the year, the switch from summer to winter can wreak havoc on your skin.
If your skin is already feeling the effects of winter and is losing its glow, here are some tips and recommendations for skincare in Saudi Arabia to get it back on track.
What Happens To Our Skin in Winter?
Saudi winters are the best season. Finally, the temperatures are comfortable enough to spend some time outdoors. Beach days, park strolls and long evenings on the terrace around the fire become everyone’s favorite thing to do.
Unfortunately, our skin doesn’t share this joy. These changes to the climate can have some unpleasant effects. The extra time outdoors and cold winter nights all make a difference. Here’s what tends to happen.
Cooler temperatures are accompanied by lower humidity. This is simply because cooler air cannot hold as much moisture. The drier air draws moisture from your skin and this can make it look and feel duller, flakier, and tighter. Heat sources in your home, if used, can further lower the humidity, exacerbating the effects on your skin.
Spending more time in water will also dry out your skin. If you are swimming or showering more often, you are likely to notice your skin feels a little rougher. Your lips may feel drier, or even sore and cracked. The skin on your lips is thinner than elsewhere, leaving it more vulnerable to the colder temperatures.
Finally, if you are affected by a skin condition like eczema, then you are likely to experience worse symptoms during the winter.
How to Counteract the Effects of Winter
A combination of excellent skincare products and a targeted skincare routine should help you glow again. Follow these tips to tweak your skincare for winter and restore your luminescence.
1. Switch to a creamy cleanser
You must avoid harsh ingredients in your winter skincare routine. This tip applies even to those with oily or acne prone skin. Harsher ingredients like alcohol and acetone will further strip your skin of moisture and affect the natural balance of the oils your skin needs to retain.
Instead, look for a creamy cleansing lotion or foaming cleanser. A cleansing balm like All Clean balm by Heimish is also a good choice; you apply the balm to dry skin, emulsify with water and then rinse thoroughly.
Not sure what the right cleanser is for your skin? Sample some products and consider which ones leave your skin feeling fresh and clean without making it feel taut, uncomfortable or irritated.
2. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
Any flakiness that may have built up already can be removed by upping your exfoliation game. Dedicate a chunk of time in the near future to an exfoliating session for both your face and body using a high-quality product that is gentle on delicate skin yet effective.
After this, make sure it is a priority in your skincare routine. Once or twice a week is ideal, or follow the recommendations on your packaging.
3. Moisturize frequently
In the winter, you must replenish the moisture in your skin lost to the dry air. Apply the very best moisturizer you can find both in the morning and at night. Using three products is recommended. A lighter day moisturizer that will soothe your skin and sit nicely under makeup plus a richer, nourishing night cream to work wonders on your skin as you sleep. An eye cream is a must too, since your skin in this area is much more sensitive and delicate.
To find a good moisturizer, seek out products that are cruelty-free, hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested. The best products are proven to nourish skin, improve elasticity and offer a protective barrier against further damage. Advance Snail 92 All in One Cream is an example of an effective moisturizer.
4. Continue to apply sunscreen
The sun’s UVA and UVB rays continue to do damage to your skin, even over the cooler winter months. The extra time spent outside over the winter means you really need to wear an effective sunscreen every single day this season. This will help minimize damage to your skin; it’ll thank you in the long run.
Choose a moisturizing sunscreen for winter use as an additional way of boosting your skin’s depleted moisture levels. Beauty of Joseon’s Ginseng Moist Sunscreen or COSRX’s Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen are ideal. Both are SPF 50+ so they will provide excellent sun protection.
5. Use a sheet mask regularly
Sheet masks can play an important role in your skincare routine by delivering a high dose of active ingredients in one quick boost. In winter, a ceramide-based mask is ideal. Ceramide molecules are great for providing an additional layer of protection and a barrier to the outer layer of your skin. Ceramides are proven to help your skin to hold onto moisture.
Try a MIssha Ceramide Sheet Mask and you’ll see and feel the difference to your skin.
6. Be mindful of your shower routine
Hot water is also known to dry out your skin. In winter, it’s tempting to spend a long time warming up in hot baths or showers. This is likely to deplete your moisture levels further.
Of course, you want and need to stay clean so make sure you use a moisturizing shower product, don’t linger for too long, and top up moisture levels straight after your shower or bath with an indulgent moisturizer. If you can brave it, a cooler rinse before you step out can help, too.
7. Consider using a humidifier in your home
You can boost the moisture levels in the air in your home by using a humidifier and avoiding using the air conditioning unit as much as possible. More moisture in the air will mean your skin dries out less overnight while you sleep. Experts say that humidity levels need to be between 30% and 50% to avoid exacerbating skin troubles.
These seven tips should get your skin back on track. What cosmetic products have you tried that work wonders for tired, depleted winter skin? Would you add any tips to the list?
