3 Skincare Ingredients For Cold-Weather Radiance

What with the chilly outside temperatures, indoor heating, and hot showers, the winter months can be unkind to the skin. 

In order to protect your skin against the cold weather, it's important to incorporate some targeted skincare products into your beauty arsenal, including lotions and serums designed to nourish skin and restore that summer glow.

Here are the only three skincare ingredients you need for cold-weather radiance.

HYALURONIC ACID

What it is

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a humectant, which means it pulls water to the upper layer of skin for an immediate hydrating effect. Its claim to fame is that it can hold up to 1000x its own weight in water. In other words, it's a hydration powerhouse. 

"When it’s applied topically, skin acts as a highly-effective barrier and those hyaluronic acid molecules are too big to squeeze through the dermis (the layer of skin beneath the epidermis), which is where it needs to be to help plump lines and wrinkles," explains Dr. Sam Bunting, Harley Street dermatologist and founder of Dr Sam Skincare Club.

You will find HA in a range of products, including moisturizers, serums, oils, eye creams, and even cleansers.

How to Use

The best way to use a hyaluronic acid serum is before your face cream or night cream, which will help draw the oil deeper into the skin and shield the skin barrier from outside aggressors. If you're applying it in the morning, make sunscreen with SPF 30 the final step in your AM skincare routine.

The Best Hyaluronic Acid Product

Rainbow's Hydrate Serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to help boost hydration and elasticity, diminishing dry skin and smoothing away fine lines and wrinkles. This formula replenishes lost moisture while leaving skin with a healthy glow. It's a daily essential to help your skin survive the winter weather. Best of all, it's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

GLYCOLIC ACID

What it is

Glycolic acid could be the key to smooth, glowing skin during the winter season. According to the derms, glycolic is a winter skincare essential. 

This alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is a powerful exfoliator which penetrates the skin and sweeps away excess oil and dead skin cells, reversing signs of aging, fading hyperpigmentation, and banishing breakouts. Alongside this, it also brightens skin through those cool, cloudy months when sunshine is lacking. 

"Glycolic acid helps to separate the connections between keratinocytes [skin cells] in the outer layers of skin without rough, mechanical exfoliation techniques and promotes exfoliation," says Dr. Jessica Krant, a board-certified dermatologist of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. "In this way, it can artificially speed up cell turnover and bring fresher, younger cells to the surface."

It's generally safe for all skin types. However, those with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema should use with caution. 

How to Use

Apply a thin layer of glycolic acid serum after cleansing to promote a healthy glow from the inside out. To get the most out of your serum, apply a small amount after cleansing your skin while your skin's still damp. This way, it will absorb better into the skin and maximize the results.

Best Glycolic Acid Product

Rainbow's Glow Serum uses glycolic acid as its star ingredient, alongside bakuchiol -- a collagen-boosting, gentle alternative to retinol. These active ingredients work in tandem to diminish dullness and dryness, and promote a healthy, glowing skin tone. 

VITAMIN C

What it is

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect your skin from the effects of cold weather. In addition to slowing down the rate of free radical damage, vitamin C helps aid skin cell regeneration and prevents premature aging. Plus, it can add a nice, healthy glow to your skin. What's more, vitamin C products tends to fit any skin type, from dry skin to oily skin. It really does work for everyone!

According to dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D, vitamin C is one of the most potent topical antioxidants available: "It neutralizes free radical damage and protects the skin against UV light and other environmental aggressors, as well as blocking abnormal production of pigmentation to even skin tone and fade dark spots."

You will find vitamin C in a slew of skincare products ranging from cleansers to toners to serums. It pairs well with many other ingredients, including jojoba oil, ceramides, shea butter, peptides, and argan oil. 

How to Use

If you're using a potent vitamin C serum in the daytime, be sure to layer it under a broad-spectrum SPF to prevent light exposure sensitivity. For best results, apply your vitamin C serum or face cream daily to reap all its benefits. And another useful skincare tip: apply vitamin C serums to damp skin for enhanced absorption.

Best Vitamin C Product

Rainbow's Smooth Face Mask uses the brightening powers of vitamin C and the youth-restoring abilities of vegan collagen to deliver a youthful glow to the skin’s appearance. Cruelty-free, vegan and clean (like all of our products!), it's the age-defending face and body mask you need in your routine.

Taking care of your skin is a year-round commitment, but in the winter your skin could definitely use a little more attention. That's because in most places, the winter signifies cool, dry air and indoor heating which are all known for drying out the skin. Even taking hot showers can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it vulnerable to dryness. 

All three of these skincare ingredients work best in all seasons. However, if you're looking for some winter skin TLC, you might want to load up on the above right now to drive out dryness and get back your summer glow.

Besides stocking up on these skincare ingredients, other ways to maintain cold-weather radiance include taking cooler showers, moisturizing regularly, drinking plenty of water, investing in a humidifier to add moisture to the air, and cutting down on alcohol and caffeine. Do all this and your youthful radiance will re-appear in no time!