Meet Your Winter Skin Saviours

If you were asked to give a list of your ride or die winter essentials, you might write down your coat, scarf, hat, and gloves... But what about your skincare? 

Our skin goes through a lot during winter, typically becoming more dehydrated, even if you have oily skin. Therefore, it’s only right to cater our skincare to the changing seasons! 

First things first, it's good to start from the basics: What is dry skin?

Xeroderma, or dry skin, is characterised by a tight, rough, flaky and dull complexion. Those with severely, chronically dry skin due to conditions such as eczema will experience these attributes more intensely, while facing even more itchiness, redness, and irritation.

Sometimes dry skin can be caused by genetics; sometimes it develops as you age. But for many people, cold weather is the perceived culprit for their dry skin – and they’re not wrong. According to research conducted by The British Journal of Dermatology, a colder environment can indeed influence skin health. If you’re also pretty confident that your dry skin is due to the winter cold, then the next question is - what can you do about it?

In finding solutions to the winter-skin conundrum, we must understand the root cause - and for that, we turn to science!

Your skin is made up of three layers: the upper layer, called the epidermis; the middle layer, the dermis, and the deepest layer, the subcutaneous tissue. When the weather is cold, it’s usually the epidermis that is impacted the most. 

The epidermis is split into 5 further layers: the stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and the stratum basale. Here, we’ll focus on the stratum corneum.

The stratum corneum has a protective barrier called the hydrolipidic film, which is responsible for repelling foreign substances, like bacteria, from the skin. It also contains sebum, the lipid mixture that protects and moisturises your skin. 

Sebum tends to get a bad rap in Western skincare, particularly when we’re talking about acne-prone skin. It’s true that excessive sebum production can cause unnecessary breakouts, but it’s all about balance. Sebum is important! It helps supply good oils to the skin, which maintains the moisture required for a healthy skin barrier. Without sebum, the epidermis is left vulnerable to free radicals and impurities. As the weather gets colder, and the wind gets icier and stronger, sebum produced in the hydrolipidic film is blown away, meaning there are fewer lipids in the skin and less oil to protect the skin, therefore causing dryness.

So, how can we help fortify our skin against the winter itch?

Firstly, there are simple changes you can make to your lifestyle. For example, although it’s relaxing, taking steaming hot showers is a general no-no when it comes to protecting your skin, as it can cause irritation, leading to dryness. However, lifestyle changes alone aren't enough to protect your skin - you need a proper and consistent skincare routine.

Since we’re now deep into winter, the Skin Cupid team wanted to share our current winter Korean skincare saviours that have come in handy during this bleak season:

Cleansing

HARUHARU WONDER Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil (150ml)

For the first step of your double-cleansing routine, this cleansing oil by HARUHARU WONDER is an excellent, nourishing choice. Since dry skin lacks oils, it only makes sense to add them back in! This could also be a great step towards forming a waterless skincare routine. Pioneered in South Korea, ‘waterless’ refers to using products that contain mostly oil-based ingredients. Users report that it helps soothe and hydrate their dry skin more effectively than using oil-based products in combination with water-based products, especially during the winter.

This HARUHARU WONDER cleansing oil helps to melt away oil-based impurities like excess sebum, makeup, and SPF without stripping your skin. It utilises their special patented Ultra Deep Technology that allows active ingredients to deeply penetrate the skin more effectively. Enriched with 5 natural oils, including Rice Bran Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, and Jojoba Seed Oil, this cleanser simultaneously quenches and cleans the skin, leaving your complexion soft and supple.

ETUDE HOUSE X SOON JUNG pH. 6.5 Whip Cleanser (150ml)

This mild foam cleanser is ideal for those who have cracked, itchy, and irritated skin! As a follow-up to an oil cleanser, its lightweight, hypoallergenic formula washes off water-based impurities like sweat that oil-cleansing can’t reach. Combining the hydrating prowess of Panthenol with the soothing properties of Madecassoside, it clarifies while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance - perfect for counteracting the drying effects of harsh, cold winds.

Toner

S.NATURE Aqua Oasis Toner (160ml)

Free from surfactants, preservatives, and artificial fragrances, this hypoallergenic toner by S.NATURE is ideal for delicate, sensitive skin. It has a soothing formula, enriched with the patented Aquaxyl ingredient – an active ingredient derived from sugar that reinforces the skin barrier by encouraging the skin’s production of Natural Moisturising Factors and Hyaluronic Acid, which optimises the hydration flow to the skin. This means all the hydrating goodness found in the formula is absorbed well into the skin for maximum results! This toner also contains 8 types of multi-molecular Hyaluronic Acid, which is a brilliant way to give your skin long-lasting hydration. It harmonises with Panthenol, ensuring that moisture is trapped into the skin and promoting the appearance of a dewy complexion.

NACIFIC Uyu Cream Toner (150ml)

Concentrated with Milk Extract from Jeju Island in Korea, this Uyu Cream Toner from ATEEZ’s favourite skincare brand NACIFIC soothes and moisturises the skin. Its non-abrasive formula, which contains 5 types of Ceramides, ensures that the skin barrier is shielded from icy winds, rain, and snow. It also has an indulgent, thick texture that gives your skin a radiance that shines like glass!

Essences, ampoules and serums

DR CEURACLE Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence (150ml)

Combining a toner with an essence, this 2-in-1 product is designed to deliver intense moisture to dry skin. Lavishly formulated with 780,000ppm of DR CEURACLE’s Vegan Tea Complex, an ultra-nutritious blend of Kombucha Tea Extract, Green Tea Leaf Water, and other plant-based ingredients, it works to purify the skin’s pores, soothe inflammation, release toxins, hydrate, balance the oil-water ratio in the skin, and fight signs of ageing - the ultimate skincare multitasker! It’s also enriched with Sunflower Seed Oil, which encourages the skin to retain moisture, leaving you with a healthy, strong skin barrier to defend against the winter weather. 

ANUA Heartleaf 80% Soothing Ampoule (30ml)

If your skin is prone to cracking and itching in the winter, you’ll definitely want to give it a little more TLC at this time of year. Thankfully, with the help of K-beauty holy-grail ingredient Heartleaf Extract (making up a huge 80% of the formula), this ampoule by ANUA delivers both hydration and anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin. It helps to calm and heal the skin barrier, which is more important than ever during the colder months of the year. 

S.NATURE Aqua Squalane Serum (50ml)

Formulated with a Triple Care function, this Squalane serum by S.NATURE is designed to refine your pores, hydrate your skin, and soothe irritation. With its star ingredient Squalane, which mimics the composition of human sebum, this serum delivers all-essential oils deep into the skin’s layers. This helps to soften and smooth rough texture, but it’s also anti-ageing, ironing out wrinkles and fine lines. 

Everyday luxury

MIXSOON Soybean Milk Pad (3 pads)

For a quick boost of moisture, even when you’re on the move, MIXSOON’s Soybean Milk Pad will be your new BFF this winter! Infused with Soybean Ferment Extract and Ceramide NP, it balances the skin's oil and moisture levels while also strengthening the skin barrier, guarding your complexion from environmental stressors. 

S.NATURE Super AquaGel Ampoule Mask

Luscious skin, even in the depths of winter, is just a sheet mask away with S.NATURE’s Super AquaGel Oasis Ampoule Mask. Ranked No.1 in the Sheet Mask category at Hwahae’s 2022 mid-year Beauty Awards, this deeply hydrating product works to lock in moisture and give you a plump, radiant complexion, thanks to 8 types of Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, and Peptides. These easy-to-use masks are also enriched with soothing Allantoin and Betaine to take care of delicate skin that has been weakened by the winter cold. 

ABIB Collagen Eye Patch Jericho Rose Jelly (60pcs)

Just like you wear sunglasses to protect your eyes in the summer, it’s equally important to take care of your eyes in the winter. This area is delicate, so extra attention is needed during the colder months. Luckily for you, this eye treatment from ABIB is here to help! Infused with Rose of Jericho, these eye patches deeply moisturise and plump up your eyes. Since thin skin such as that around your eyes is especially prone to dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles,  they work to smooth and refresh this area to give you a youthful glow. After a long day fighting the cold, they provide your eyes much-needed moisture and radiance. 

Moisturisers

S.NATURE Aqua Squalane Moisturising Cream (80ml)

One of Korea’s bestselling moisturisers, S.NATURE’s Aqua Squalane Moisturising Cream is a great suit of armour for your skin when battling blistering winds. Infused with 8 types of Hyaluronic Acid, this moisturiser pumps hydration right into the skin. Paired with 150,000ppm of plant-derived Squalane to lock in moisture, you’ll be rewarded with a complexion that feels soft and plump. 

ZEROID Intensive Cream (80ml)

ZEROID’s dermatologically tested Intensive Cream provides relief for severely dry and sensitive skin, even if you have chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Enhanced with hero ingredient Squalane, this cream provides a boost in moisture that dry skin lacks. It is also free from fragrances that could potentially irritate the skin. Instead, it’s infused with Ceramides that help to rebuild a weakened skin barrier - just what you need when bracing the cold every day. You can use this as a stand-alone cream, or you can layer it on top of another moisturiser in case your skin needs an extra moisture blanket this season.

ZEROID Soothing Cream (80ml)

With its hypoallergenic formula, ZEROID’s Soothing Cream is suitable for those with sensitive as well as dry skin. Containing ZEROID’s MLE Technology, which mimics the skin’s natural barrier and adds moisture back into your skin, this cream defends the skin against environmental aggressors - whether it be the harsh wind, or UV rays from the winter sun. It’s also designed for quick absorption, making the texture non-greasy and perfect for re-applying during the day!