Face and lips through winter: a routine for every day

From October to February, your face and lips move back and forth several times a day between cold outdoor air and dry heated air. This post describes a short routine for the morning, for on the go and for the evening, and names the mistakes that happen most often in winter. It is for anyone whose cheeks feel tight in the cold season and whose lips turn rough.

Cold air holds little moisture. When it is heated indoors, the relative humidity drops further, and your skin gives off more water to the air. At the same time it produces less sebum in the cold. The lips are affected first: they have hardly any sebaceous glands, and around three times as much water evaporates through the red of the lips as through the cheek. The background is explained in the guides Dry skin in winter: what helps with cold and indoor heating and Why do lips dry out so quickly?

Morning: apply before you go out

1. Wash your face with lukewarm water and only pat it lightly dry. Hot water dissolves more of the skin's own oils.
2. Apply a thin layer of a water-based serum and wait briefly until it no longer runs.
3. Rub two to three drops of face oil between your palms and press them onto your face. In the morning, one to two are often enough.
4. Put on lip balm while you are still indoors.

The order is always the same: water-based before oil-based. The serum brings water onto the skin, and the film of oil on top reduces how quickly it evaporates again. You can read more under Combining aloe vera serum with oil or solid cream.

Allow a few minutes for this. Skincare that contains water cools the skin for as long as the water evaporates, so do not leave it until you are at the front door. A film of oil or wax protects the skin from drying out in wind and cold, but not from frost. That is what a scarf and a hat are for. The reasons are explained under Cold cream: water-free, but no protection from frost.

On the go: what belongs in your jacket pocket

During the day, it is mainly your lips that need attention. The film of wax and oil is worn away by eating, drinking and wiping your mouth. Reapply when your lips feel tight, and after every meal.

• Lip balm stick in an inside pocket. Waxes become firmer in the cold. Carried close to your body, the stick stays spreadable.
• Scarf or neck warmer. Pulled over mouth and nose, it keeps the wind off.
• On days with snow and sun: lip balm with SPF. In the lowlands, the UV index is usually low in winter. In the snow and in the mountains it is different; more on this under Sun protection in the mountains and on snow and Do I need lip balm with SPF?

Evening: cleanse and use a slightly richer layer

In the evening there is more time, and your skincare can be a little richer. Measurements over the course of the day show that the skin loses more water in the evening and at night than in the morning.

1. Cleanse your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry.
2. Apply the serum, then two to three drops of oil. If your skin still looks clearly shiny after a few minutes, it was too much.
3. Give your lips a thicker layer than during the day.

The air in the room matters too: do not overheat the bedroom, and air it briefly several times a day.

Typical mistakes

• Washing with hot water to warm up your face. Hot water dissolves more of the skin's own oils. Lukewarm is enough.
• Licking your lips. Saliva evaporates quickly and leaves the lips drier than before.
• Only applying balm once you are outside. A cold stick is hard and gives off little. Indoors it is easier, and the film is already in place when the wind comes.
• Using too much oil. A few drops are enough. The rest stays on the skin as shine and rubs off on your scarf and pillow. More on this: Face oil on oily skin: does that work?
• Pulling flakes of skin off your lips. This causes small tears. It is better to apply balm and wait.

forpeople care for face and lips

• Aloe Vera Serum 99.6%, 250 ml, €24.90: the water-based first step. According to the ingredient list: aloe juice, citric acid, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate; it contains water and is preserved.
• Face Oil - Lavender, 50 ml, €21.90: a blend of argan, rosehip, jojoba, borage and hemp oil. It contains essential lavender oil and smells of it; the list names Linalool and Limonene for it.
• Facial Care Set for Dry, Sensitive Skin, €44.90: Aloe Vera Serum and Face Oil Lavender together.
• Lip Balm - Lemongrass, 5 g, €4.90: a water-free stick in a paper tube made of beeswax, sunflower oil, shea butter, almond oil and hemp seed oil, with essential lemongrass oil. It does not contain a UV filter.
• Lip Balm - SPF15 Almond & Vanilla, 5 g, €7.90: the same base without essential oil, with vanilla extract and the mineral UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, non-nano according to the product information.

For all five, the product pages say: avoid contact with the eyes and do not use on injured or irritated skin. If you notice a skin reaction, stop using the product. Hands and feet have a post of their own: Hands and feet through winter: a routine for morning and evening. For days on the slopes there is Skincare for days in the snow: hands, lips, face.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need different face care in winter than in summer?
Often, yes. Light, water-rich skincare is pleasant in summer; in winter the skin usually needs more oil. A few drops of oil over the serum are a simple way to get there.

Does face oil or lip balm protect against the cold?
Both protect the skin from drying out in wind and cold, but not from frost. A film of skincare does not warm you. A scarf, a hat and breaks in the warmth are still needed.

How often should I put on lip balm in winter?
Several times a day: before going out, after eating and drinking, and before going to sleep. That does not make you dependent; why not is explained under Can you become dependent on lip balm?

When should I see a doctor?
If your face or lips stay cracked for weeks despite care, are very red or swollen, weep or bleed. White, waxy or numb patches on your face after cold are a warning sign: go into the warmth straight away, and get medical help if the numbness persists.