Dry skin in winter? Natural skin care that protects and moisturizes

In a winter skincare routine, MaiWistik's Clensik, Happik, Curetik, and Bloomik help support the skin. Winter puts the skin to the test. Cold wind, temperature fluctuations, dry indoor air, and hot showers can make the skin feel tight, flaky, red, or itchy. The face, lips, hands, and dry body areas become especially sensitive, requiring more protection and nourishment at this time. MaiWistik's previous blogs point out that in winter, it's worth preferring richer oil, wax, and ointment-based products, as they help the skin retain moisture and form a protective layer against cold and wind. 

MaiWistik's skincare philosophy is simple: don't overload the skin, but support it. The brand's story is based on Estonian medicinal plants, craftsmanship, and natural skincare, aiming to support skin balance, radiance, and well-being without synthetic additives.

Why does skin become dry and tight in winter?

Dry skin in winter isn't just caused by the cold. Several factors contribute simultaneously: outside, the wind bites and temperatures drop below freezing; indoors, central heating dries out the skin, and hot water removes natural oils during washing. As a result, the skin can lose its protective ability and start to feel tight, itchy, or flaky.

In winter, it's worth reviewing the entire routine: cleansing, moisturizing, lip and hand protection, using body oil, and even what we drink and eat. The skin needs support both externally and internally.

Winter skincare begins with gentle cleansing

If the skin is dry, sensitive, or feels tight, cleansing should not be aggressive. Alcohol-based or overly strong cleansing products can strip the skin of its natural oils and increase dryness and irritation. Oil cleansing is well-suited for winter, as oil helps remove dirt, makeup, and SPF while keeping the skin soft.

MaiWistik's Clensik is a natural makeup remover oil and facial oil for dry and sensitive skin. The product removes makeup and SPF, doesn't leave the skin feeling tight, and simultaneously acts as a nourishing facial oil. Clensik contains meadowsweet and first-press olive oil and is designed specifically for those whose skin becomes dry or tight after washing.

Oil-based products not only effectively remove makeup but also provide additional hydration to the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. This approach helps maintain the skin's natural balance and prevent excessive dryness. Facial oils are generally gentle and suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin.

Use a richer moisturizer in winter

In winter, a light cream may not be enough. In cold and windy conditions, the skin often needs a richer balm, ointment, or oil to help retain moisture. This is especially important as decreasing air humidity and the use of heating systems rapidly reduce the skin's moisture level. Fatty ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, or olive oil can be particularly effective in winter, forming a barrier on the skin that helps protect it from harsh weather conditions. Various medicinal herbs support the skin's renewal processes.

A good tip: apply oil or ointment to the skin when it is still slightly damp after washing. This helps the product lock in moisture better. This not only helps maintain the skin's moisture level but also reduces dryness-induced irritation and leaves the skin healthier and more protected. 

Hands and lips need special attention in winter

Hands are often exposed to cold, wind, washing, and temperature changes in winter. Therefore, they can quickly become dry, rough, or chapped. In winter, it is advisable to wear gloves and regularly use a richer hand care product.

In addition to gloves, it's important to regularly use a rich hand cream. A quality hand cream helps maintain the skin's moisture level, relieve dryness, and prevent chapping. This is especially crucial for the hand area, where the skin is typically thinner and more sensitive. 

Curetik ointment is your hands' best friend in skincare! This hand cream is specially formulated to support and care for your skin, whether it's rough, flaky, or dry. With Curetik ointment with greater celandine, you can forget about itching, dryness, and discomfort, discovering new confidence and comfort in your daily skincare. This hand cream has proven itself not only as a regular hand care product but also effective in alleviating various skin problems, including psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. Curetik deeply moisturizing ointment penetrates deep into your skin layers, making it not only soft and smooth but also supporting its health.

Both yarrow and greater celandine are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a common factor in various skin conditions, including redness and irritation. The anti-inflammatory effects of these herbs help soothe the skin, making them suitable even for sensitive or easily irritated skin. Additionally, the plants contain antioxidants. These plants help protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which contributes to premature aging and skin damage.

Lips are also very susceptible to cold. Since the skin on the lips is thin, they need a protective balm in winter to help prevent chapping and discomfort. Happik meadowsweet and horsetail lip balm contains, among other things, olive oil, beeswax, meadowsweet, and horsetail, and can be used on the lips several times a day as needed.

Beeswax contains natural compounds, such as Vitamin A. Vitamin A is known for its skin-renewing properties and helps maintain lip health. Beeswax also has anti-inflammatory properties that relieve irritated or inflamed skin on the lips. If your lips tend to be red or swollen, beeswax lip balm can provide the best relief.

Regular use of lip balm is important not only for aesthetic reasons but also to keep lips healthy and prevent chapping, which can cause discomfort.

Body oil helps reduce dryness after showering

A hot shower might feel good in winter, but overly hot water strips the skin of its natural oils. This can lead to the familiar "skin feels tight" sensation after showering. MaiWistik's blog on dry skin recommends using body oil or butter after showering, and in a winter routine, favoring oil-based products.

Bloomik body and massage oil is designed for dry skin and is suitable for daily body care and massage. The product contains hemp oil, red clover, lady's mantle, and grapefruit essential oil. Bloomik absorbs quickly, doesn't leave the skin heavily greasy, and is well-suited for use after a shower or bath when the skin is still slightly damp.

Do men's and women's skincare need to be different?

One common myth is that men and women need completely different skincare products. While men's skin may be thicker and oilier, daily skincare should primarily be based on skin type, not gender. Dry, sensitive, oily, or combination skin needs appropriate care regardless of who the product is marketed to.

Natural body care doesn't end with the face and hands. The same principle applies well to deodorants. When neutralizing body odor, there's no need to choose based on "men's" or "women's" packaging, but rather on the ingredients, skin-friendliness, and ease of use. The idea behind MaiWistik's collection is that the products are suitable for women, men, and children, and one product can often be used in multiple ways.

Simple winter skin routine

In the morning, gently cleanse your face, using Clensik if needed. Then apply a suitable moisturizing oil, ointment, or cream to the skin. Before going outdoors, protect your lips with Happik and drier areas with Curetik.

In the evening, remove makeup, SPF, and accumulated dirt with Clensik oil cleanser. After showering, apply Bloomik to your body, especially to dry areas. Apply a protective layer to your hands and lips before bed.

To support the body internally, drink enough water or herbal tea and add omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and vitamin C-rich berries or foods to your diet. 

Hydration is always very important, but especially during the winter months, when cold air tends to be naturally drying and central heating further removes moisture from the skin. If our body does not get enough fluids, it directly affects the condition of the skin, making it dry, flaky, and red. Cold weather and heating systems can work together to create an environment where the skin rapidly loses its moisture level. To counteract dryness and maintain skin elasticity and softness, the primary recommendation is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water not only helps maintain skin moisture but also supports overall body health. For flavored water, you can add your favorite medicinal herbs such as peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile, rowan, etc.

Water is often cold, and this is frequently cited as a reason for not consuming enough fluids. In addition to drinking water, you might also consider other beverages, such as herbal teas. It's also important to remember that excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine can, in turn, dehydrate the body.

Heating systems are an excellent way to maintain a comfortable temperature in winter, but they can also lead to dry air, which negatively affects skin condition. One way to counteract this is to use a humidifier, which helps add necessary moisture to the air. This not only helps alleviate skin dryness but can also positively impact mucous membranes and overall well-being, especially if you have respiratory problems or a tendency to dry skin.

How to properly exfoliate and moisturize in winter?

The importance of skin exfoliation is significant in every season, but it is crucial to do so carefully, especially during the winter when the skin can be particularly sensitive and dry. Excessive exfoliation can increase skin sensitivity, cause irritation and flaking, and worsen existing dryness.

Limit exfoliation to once a week. This frequency is sufficient to remove dead skin cells, improve skin texture, and promote cell renewal without excessive irritation. Before exfoliating, ensure your skin is damp. Exfoliating with damp skin helps reduce friction and makes the exfoliation process gentler.

After exfoliation, observe your skin's reaction. If you notice excessive redness, irritation, or itching, it may be necessary to reduce the frequency of exfoliation or choose even milder products.

Always moisturize your skin after exfoliation to restore moisture levels and maintain skin softness. It's ideal to use a body oil, which helps lock moisture into the skin. A high-quality body oil should definitely be used after every wash. Our Bloomik body oil contains red clover and lady's mantle, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritated or inflamed skin. Both also contain antioxidants, which help maintain skin health and protect it from premature aging.

It's also worth noting that showers and baths in warm water should be as short as possible. Hot water strips the body of its natural oils, and the longer we enjoy the water, the worse condition we put our skin in. This also causes the "tight" feeling after washing, which is certainly familiar to many. After washing, the body should always be covered with a body oil or butter that does not contain water. Ending your shower or bath with cold water, however, is an effective way to improve circulation and overall skin condition.