Want Glowing Skin in Winter? Try This
Chapped, flaky, dry, red, irritated…unfortunately those are often the adjectives that describe winter skin. Harsh winter weather has the power transform skin, but not in the best of ways. So how can you keep skin hydrated, glowing even? One of the best tricks is to layer a rich cream moisturizer with a facial oil. The combination can boost skin’s moisture levels, help retain hydration, and give you luminous, gorgeous skin, even when the weather outside is frightful. “I think layering an oil and cream can be beneficial when you are battling dry skin, in the winter or really anytime,” explains dermatologist Dr. Sejal Shah. “Creams usually contain ingredients that can help the skin retain moisture but the oil will seal in the moisture even more.” Dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban agrees: “Oils support the lipid content of the very top layer of the skin allowing the skin to be more supple and have a smoother texture. Many oils that are used for the face also have anti-inflammatory functions, which is useful with the irritation from dry cold temperature air that we experience in the winter.”
As for the order in which to apply the products, the experts are split. “Applying the oil first will allow it to penetrate more effectively then if applied after the cream. The cream is typically mixed with water and the water could form a barrier to prevent the oil from penetrating deeper,” says Shamban. However, Shah has a different take: “As a general rule of thumb oils penetrate creams but not the other way (so if you out the oil on first you won’t get the benefit of the cream). Creams usually contain ingredients that can help the skin retain moisture but the oil will seal in the moisture even more.”
If you haven’t jumped on board the facial oil trend, the concern is often that the oils will cause breakouts. They don’t, but they do a wonderful job of reviving skin. While oils and creams can obviously be used alone, the combination of the two in the winter is even more effective. If you allow time for each layer to absorb, your skin will look dewy not oily. If you want to do the combination during the day, look for oils that have a lighter finish and absorb well before applying foundation. For more intense oils and moisturizer combos to battle ultra dry skin, go with the pairing overnight.
At Yahoo Beauty, we’ve sampled everything from Crème de la Mer’s new luxe oil to Target stocked Acure’s $13 Argan oil, to find the best products to transform your skin from dull and dry to divine this winter. Here are seven of our favorite cream and oil pairings.
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