I’m writing to you from Whitehorse, Yukon, a small, cold, beautiful “city” in the Canadian northwest. This means a couple of things:
- I’ve had Christmas lights up since October to fight off the 11:00 AM sunrise.
- I’ve been scraping my car in the morning for a month already.
- And most importantly, it means that I can see into your future.
Winter is coming, and with it, Winter skin struggles. Up here, I’ve been prepping to fight off dull Winter skin and lack of vitamin D since early October. Luckily, as a Lake+Main die-hard, I’m well prepared.
Let me share some skincare tips that will help you keep a glowing complexion, all year long.
Vitamin C is Your Best Friend
Every Canadian knows the importance of vitamin supplements in the Winter months, but we often neglect focusing them where we may need it most: our skin. Vitamin C is essential year-round for skin health, but especially in the Winter.
Rich in Antioxidants
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radical damage that comes from indoor heating, freezing temperatures, and windy weather. It fortifies your skin against environmental irritants that weaken the skin barrier, keeping your skin radiant and healthy in harsh environments.
Supports Collagen Production
Cold, dry air can weaken your skin’s elasticity—you might notice fine lines, wrinkles and dullness become more obvious as the weather changes. Luckily, Vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis, which keeps your skin firm and supple. Using Vitamin C can improve your skin’s texture, and help it build resiliency in Winter.
Brightening Effect
Dead skin cells accumulate much quicker in the Winter. This can make your skin appear dull, uneven, and dry. Vitamin C is known to “brighten” the skin as it inhibits melanin production and helps to fade dark spots and even your skin tone. Although it isn’t technically a moisturizer, the vitamin prevents moisture loss while increasing the effectiveness of other hydrating ingredients in your routine.
How to Get the Most Out of Vitamin C in Winter
Explore some pro-tips and Lake+Main approved products that can help you take advantage of this ingredient.
Carrot Carrier Oil & Pomegranate Oil
Both carrot oil and pomegranate oil are rich in antioxidants, including beta-carotene, which supports skin brightening and health.
GLOW, our deep-moisturizing elixir, contains both of these beneficial oils (among many others), which is how it’s able to brighten your skin over time. I always use it at the end of my routine as it locks in all of my other moisturizing products and keeps my skin feeling protected all day and night.
I used to be scared to wash my face in the Winter—I didn’t want to strip my skin of natural oils and risk dryness. Then I found CLEAN. It’s non-foaming, and sulfate-free, which means it cleans your skin without stripping it down. It contains carrot oil, leaving your skin feeling more moisturized than before you washed your face.
Pair With Hyaluronic Acid
Vitamin C works amazing on its own, but you can boost its effects by complementing it with a hyaluronic acid serum. Like many of you, I’ve quickly become obsessed with ELEVATE, our hyaluronic acid and niacinamide serum.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it draws moisture from your environment, and locks it into your skin. When used with Vitamin C, it enhances the brightening effect by providing additional moisture to plump the skin.
Niacinamide is a gentle, barrier-strengthening vitamin that calms and soothes, making it an excellent companion to Vitamin C. It’s also a powerful anti-inflammatory that reduces the potential for irritation. This combo keeps the skin balanced and resilient, which is ideal for Winter skin that’s easily stressed by cold and dryness.
Your Winter Skin Routine Starts Now
While Winter is still on its way for most of the country, these tips have been saving my skin for weeks now. You don’t need a vacation to treat yourself to radiant skin in the middle of Winter (though that would be nice, too).
With love from Whitehorse, we love your face.
