8 Korean Beauty Tips To Combat Dull, Dry Winter Skin
Now that the cold has fully set in, you might be experiencing the expected winter skin woes as a result. Dry, itchy, and dull skin is all too common a plight during the holiday season, but, thankfully, we have the K-beauty community to help us recover and maintain that dewy glow year-round.
Below are eight simple tips that can help you survive the frost while maintaining your skin’s radiance.
1. Lifestyle
The important thing to remember about Korean skincare is that it’s not all about the skincare products you use, though they are important. In Korea, taking care of your skin means eating a healthy diet rich in nutritious and fermented foods, getting quality sleep, and drinking lots of water. When the weather gets cold we tend to naturally drink less water than we do in warmer months, and we may even go a little overboard on the sweets during the holidays, it happens. But if we’re drinking enough water and avoiding unnecessary sweets most of the time, it will go a long way to helping us look our best year-round.
Using a humidifier is a common practice in Korea and combats the effects of dry, cold winter air.
Furthermore, buying a humidifier for your desk at work or in your home is a common practice in Korea and will help combat the effects of dry, cold winter air. Carrying a moisturizing facial mist in your handbag means you can top up your skin’s moisture level on the go without disturbing your makeup. Making sure you always bundle up and protect your face during windy weather with a thick scarf can also go a long way to protect your skin’s moisture barrier.
2. Use an Oil-Based Cleanser
Korean skincare for winter is a little more intensive than in the summer but is proven to be effective. The first step of any skincare routine is a cleanser. Often times we hear about the essential “double cleanse” in K-beauty circles, but that's not always recommended year-round. Over-cleansing your face in winter can lead to drying your skin out more than it already is. Stick with an oil-based, non-foaming cleanser in the winter months to gently pull away debris without stripping your face entirely and drying it out too much.
3. Avoid Washing with Hot Water
While doing your cleanse, you should make sure to only use lukewarm water. Hot water in the shower or during skin care can strip away good, natural oils and lead to itchy, tight skin.
Hot water can strip away good, natural oils and lead to itchy, tight skin.
4. Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliation is very important during winter as a buildup of dry, flaky skin can cause you to lose your radiance and can even be painful to deal with. Gentle exfoliation is recommended via toners like Some By Mi Miracle Toner.