Winter skincare in Finland: protecting your skin from frost and dry indoor air

Why does skin dry out in winter?

In winter, your skin is caught between two drying environments. Outdoors, frost and wind draw moisture from the skin, and indoors the heating makes the air dry. When the outer layer of the skin loses water faster than it can repair itself, the skin starts to feel tight, turn red and flake.

This is why a cream that worked well in autumn can feel too light by December. The cause is usually the change in conditions. In winter, skin needs gentler care and better protection than in summer.

If you are not sure whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, start with how to tell the difference. This article focuses on what to do differently in winter.

How should you adjust your home care for winter?

A winter routine does not need to be complicated. The aim is for the skin to lose less moisture and get more protection:

• wash your face with lukewarm water and a mild cleansing milk or cream
• apply a hydrating serum while the skin is still slightly damp
• switch to a richer cream with ingredients similar to the skin's own lipids, such as ceramides
• in the evening, add a thin layer of oil or balm over your cream if needed
• remember your lips and the eye area, where the skin is thinnest

A lighter cream is often enough in the morning, with a richer one at night. If your skin starts to look shiny or you get breakouts, the rich cream may be too much. In that case, try a lighter cream with a hydrating serum underneath.

How do you protect your skin in the frost?

In frost and wind, your face is often the only exposed part of your body, so it needs protection. Apply your cream well before you go out so it has time to absorb. In hard frost, a rich cold-weather cream protects better than a light, water-based one.

You need sun protection in winter too. Snow reflects sunlight, and by late winter the sun is already strong. On a skiing trip, on the slopes and on bright days in March, sunscreen belongs on your face just as it does in summer.

A scarf or neck warmer shields your cheeks and chin from the wind. Lips dry out easily, so keep a lip balm with you.

Sauna, swimming and hot showers

The sauna is part of Finnish winter, and you do not need to give it up for your skin. After the sauna, the skin is warm and damp, which makes it a good moment for your cream. Rinse your face with cool water, pat it dry and apply cream within a few minutes, before the skin has time to dry.

Chlorinated pool water dries the skin even more. Shower after swimming, wash with a mild cleanser and apply cream straight away.

A long, hot shower feels good in winter, but it dries out the skin. Lukewarm water and a shorter shower are enough, and body lotion is best applied while the skin is still damp.

Which habits dry the skin out even more?

Many winter skin problems come from well-meant habits. These are worth avoiding:

• exfoliating too often, which puts extra strain on skin that is already dry
• toners with alcohol and strongly foaming cleansers
• starting several new active ingredients at once in the coldest weeks
• sitting next to a radiator or fan heater for long periods
• rubbing your face with a towel instead of patting it dry

If you use a retinoid or acids, you do not have to stop them for the winter. Your skin may tolerate them less well than in summer, though, so it is a good idea to use them less often and moisturise more. A humidifier in the bedroom can help if the indoor air is very dry.

If you develop an itchy rash, cracks or redness that does not settle even with good home care, see a doctor. Skin conditions are treated by a doctor.

Frequently asked

• How often should I have a facial in winter? For the Hydrating Facial, the usual interval is 3–4 weeks. Deniza will suggest the right interval once she has seen your skin.
• Can I have peels and acid treatments in winter? Yes. Many acid treatments are often done in autumn and winter, when there is less sun. Dehydrated, sensitised skin needs moisture and calming first, though, so the strength and timing of the treatment are agreed at your visit.
• Do I need sun protection in winter? Yes, especially on bright days. Snow reflects light, and by March the sun is already strong. On a skiing trip or on the slopes, sunscreen is just as important as in summer.
• Does a humidifier help the skin? It can help if the indoor air is very dry. A humidifier does not replace your cream, but it can reduce moisture loss from the skin overnight.

When does a facial help in winter?

Home care does most of the work, but a facial helps when your skin already feels tight, looks dull or red, and your usual cream no longer seems enough. At the start of the visit, Deniza looks at your skin and tells you what to change in your home care for the winter.

• the Hydrating Facial suits dry, tight skin: moisture is built up in layers with serums, massage and a mask
• GIGI Hydra Therapy is a deeply hydrating treatment with active ingredients from GIGI's professional line
• Dermalux LED light therapy calms red, stressed skin without touch or downtime, and it can also be added to another treatment

Book online directly for the treatment you need. If you are not sure which one suits your skin, ask Deniza before booking.