What beauty rituals to adopt to pamper your body in winter?
The cold often abuses our body during the winter. Crocodile skin, dry itchy skin, chapped lips... What are the best beauty rituals to adopt in winter to pamper our bodies? Our experts explain which cosmetics to choose and which beauty rituals to favor to effectively face the cold.
Wrapped up in clothes, hidden from view, we pay less attention to our bodies in winter than in summer. Reminder of a few essential gestures so you don't forget to take care of it when it's cold.
I exfoliate with a dry brush
Carried out on bare, dry skin, using gentle massages, dry brushing regenerates the body and soothes the mind while eliminating dead cells to make the epidermis silky and toned. "It can be practiced in the morning to energize before starting the day or in the evening to ease tension and make it easier to fall asleep," explains Marielle Alix, naturopath. We begin the exfoliation by the extremities, always going up towards the heart in ample but delicate movements. “I recommend daily brushing for 10 minutes to improve blood and lymph circulation and the elimination of toxins and cellulite. As a bonus, a privileged moment with yourself, ideal for reconnecting with your body and gently refocusing! »
My shopping
The vegetable brush, in fibers from the agave that adapts to the heat of the body. Body brush, Doux Good, €39. To be found on the sweet-good.com website.
The scrubbing effect brush, it removes dead cells and promotes the natural waste elimination process. Exfoliating brush, to be found at Elemis, €27.
The bath ritual
For a relaxing break, plan half an hour of tranquility, turn off your cell phone, dim the lights, start a soft music playlist and run your bath, which should not exceed 37°C. Slip into the water embellished with remineralising salts or essential oils and relax, eyes closed and your neck well supported. It's also a good time to put on a mask! 20 minutes of relaxation later, rinse with warm water to remove soapy residue, then with lukewarm water to firm the skin. Successful bathing mission.
Learn to use essential oils
"As a base oil, I recommend eucalyptus essential oil, which supports the immune system and can be poured into the bath (15 drops) or inhaled in fumigations: dilute 3 to 4 drops in 250 ml of boiling water and breathe in the steam,” advises Marielle Alix. Another winter ally, bourbon geranium whose comforting scent helps to refocus: “Place a drop of oil on each wrist, rub them to release the active ingredients and inhale deeply. And for a relaxing self-massage, mix a few drops of soothing neroli essential oil and sweet almond oil and gently knead the trapezius muscles and neck.
Aromachology: well-being to breathe!
The objective of aromachology is to maintain a good mood and tone, based on the principle that smells have well-being properties. The sense of smell is in fact linked to the limbic system of the brain, the seat of emotions, instinct and pleasure, and it turns out that the inhalation of certain molecules is capable of increasing the energy and the sensation of welfare. You will use lavender to soothe and relax, mandarin to stimulate, or green tea to restore balance.
I say goodbye to crocodile skin
“When it's cold, the skin produces less sebum. However, it is the essential constituent of the hydrolipidic film which serves as a natural protective barrier. Once altered, it lets the water escape and the epidermis dehydrates more quickly,” describes Farnaz Archange, beautician. To comfort it and replenish it, it is therefore necessary to bet on care overdosed in nourishing active ingredients – vegetable butters, ceramides – and in urea to take off dead cells and stop desquamation. Do not hesitate to use barrier creams that act like a second skin. “Also avoid hot showers and high heat which dehydrate the skin and wash gently with a superfatted shower oil or bar, both cleansing and nourishing. »
Here are the types of care to use to eliminate "crocodile skin":
"Vegetable oils or butters that solidify with cold, such as shea butter or coconut oil, are interesting because they freeze on the surface of the skin and form an insulating 'solid' barrier which consolidates the lipid barrier As the stratum corneum (horny layer) is a kind of emulsion composed of different fatty substances, it is interesting not to use only these butters or pure oils but emulsions combining various origins of lipids." explains Gérard Redziniack, cosmetologist.
Advantage of these types of care rich in nourishing active ingredients: the formulas are often tested hypoallergenic and perfect for the most sensitive skin.
Beauty advice against itchy skin in winter
The good gesture: avoid clothes that are too close to the body. The skin of the body is drier in winter than in summer. In question, the clothes close to the body which, with the movement, exert repeated friction. As a result, tights can become covered with small films of dead cells.
To limit this itching, in addition to suitable products, follow the instructions given in the most extreme cases, i.e. people who suffer from psoriasis: wear cotton or linen type materials rather than synthetic materials .
Read alsoBeauty tip against chronic irritation in winter
Rather than a very hot bath, prefer the daily shower. Showering will prevent skin cells from softening too much and losing their barrier effect. A little extra tip to best hydrate your skin in winter, when you get out of the shower, apply your nourishing/moisturizing treatment to the skin that is still damp. On the other hand, it is quite advisable to take a bath from time to time to relax.
“When the skin is not completely dry, but still a little moist, it absorbs the treatment better. The application is then faster and more efficient”, says Katerina Snizhko.
My shopping
A natural cream. With a nourishing texture thanks to thyme honey and antioxidant witch hazel. Royal Honey Body Cream, Apivita, €12.90 for 150 ml. Available in pharmacies.
A comforting body milk. Ultra-rich in moisturizing hyaluronic acid and soothing everlasting flower. Body milk, AÚN Paris, €29 for 200 ml. To be found on the aun-paris.com website.
A relaxing oil. A moisturizing formula with soy, olive and sunflower oils and organic thyme essential oil. Herbier revitalizing oil, Payot, €40 for 95 ml. To be found in the institute.
I am learning self-massage
"In Chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered the 'root of life': they are activated at the beginning of November to be fit and in good spirits all winter long", explains Catherine Marin, consultant in traditional Chinese medicine. Its special winter self-massage program: start by warming your hands well by rubbing them against each other, then massage or hit the lower back, on either side of the spine. Stimulate the first point of the kidney meridian by pressing the sole of the foot on a tennis ball, exhale up to 10 during the support, then inhale and repeat 10 times on each side. Close your eyes and then gently chatter your teeth for 2 minutes. Lying on the floor, arch your back and swing, knees and chin as close as possible, for 2 minutes.
Which face care should I choose for my sensitive skin in winter?
The sudden passage from the cold outside to the heat of the apartments is very aggressive for the skin, especially when it is sensitive. The blood vessels dilate rapidly, hence the flushed cheeks effect and the feeling of warm skin. It can also increase dehydration.
When the skin becomes inflamed due to temperature variations, it must be soothed by limiting water loss and strengthening the elasticity of its capillaries. “In winter, you can't use the same treatments as in summer,” explains Dr. Baspeyras. To restore hydration, opt for a balm or cold-cream type treatment, and to desensitize and normalize microcirculation, use active ingredients such as ginseng and red algae extracts to reduce blood flow, or thermal water and oats that reduce inflammation. »
"Formulas rich in water traps, such as glycerin which captures ten times its weight in water, are useful for maintaining hydration. Then, for calming tightness, redness and the effects of heat" specifies Claire Terlier, pharmacist .
My shopping
The soothing serum. Calming and vasoconstrictor for serene skin and better circulation. Serum May my redness disappear, Garancia, €36.95 for 30 ml. Available in pharmacies.
Calming cream. Soothes reactive skin prone to occasional or persistent redness. Anti-Redness Cream Sensiphase AR SPF15, A-Derma, €17.40 for 40 ml. Available in pharmacies.
Prebiotic oil. Ideal for supporting the microbiome, boosting radiance, soothing and nourishing the skin. Face oil, Gallinée, €35 for 30 ml. Available in pharmacies.
I leave on a soothing mask
The lower the temperature, the more the blood circulation is redistributed in order to favor the vital organs. The result is an unpleasant flush phenomenon for the skin when you go from cold to hot again and the irrigated vessels dilate again. “At the same time, the epidermis loses its water reserves more quickly and becomes less comfortable,” observes Dr. Martine Baspeyras, dermatologist. To rehydrate gently, the doctor advises to "restore the damaged skin barrier with masks rich in repairing active ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin or vegetable oils, which, by reuniting the cells, prevent water from evaporating".
"For deep hydration, the bio cellulose material is the most interesting. These fibers are thirty to forty times finer than those used in cotton masks and can absorb ten times more product. The cells gorge themselves with these active ingredients. "all the more easily as the bio cellulose adheres to the skin to the nearest millimeter, advises Sophie Strobel, cosmetologist. Dry skin will apply after a care rich in fat. For an all-in-one, the traditional cream masks, certainly less playful, are the most suitable for really dry and uncomfortable skin, because they have an unequaled degree of lipids."
My shopping
The moisturizing splash mask. Organic coconut water and vegetable glycerin to wrap the skin in softness. Cocoon mask, Auriège, €24 for 50 ml. To be found on the auriege.fr website.
The rejuvenating mask. An enveloping and comforting balm texture with organic calendula. Regenerating balm mask, Yves Rocher, €7.90 for 30 ml. To be found in the institute.
The gentle bath mask. Ideal for soothing dehydrated, reactive, tired or dull skin. Soothing moisturizing mask, Avène, €16.70 for 50 ml. Available in pharmacies.
I opt for a protective foundation in winter
Make-up is too often reduced to its aesthetic role when it has real assets for skin balance. You still have to choose well. The winter foundation is not apprehended like that of the summer. In winter, even those who like "no make-up" have every interest in applying a foundation with a relatively creamy texture. Today's technologies make it possible to obtain a protective and comfortable film without the need for thickness. Apply your foundation right after your day cream so that the two blend together harmoniously. A good trick to add to your beauty routine in winter.
"We criticize silicones a lot but, in winter, in a foundation, these synthetic oils create a slightly occlusive film (without excess, they do not clog the pores) which offers an interesting anti-evaporation barrier. To constitute the ideal insulator, it must also have emollient vegetable oils that consolidate the natural skin barrier. explains Gérard Redziniack, cosmetologist.
I treat myself to a make-up remover
Weakened, irritated, subjected to incessant heat and cold, the skin needs comfort. And this, from make-up removal. "I do not recommend foaming products very rich in aggressive surfactants and micellar water which can be stripping," says Farnaz Archange. If you don't wear make-up, an oil or milk is enough to eliminate sebum and pollution residues. Otherwise, I am a fan of double make-up removal which consists of cleaning the face using a greasy make-up remover formula (butter, oil), to eliminate greasy substances then with an aqueous formula (gel or foam to be rinsed off with floral water), to get rid of hydrophilic residues (pollutants, sweat, bacteria). »
"When it's very cold, it's interesting to self-massage your face and neck by performing fairly deep but very gentle pinches. This allows the blood and lymph to recirculate, and to put the epidermis in good temperature to receive the cleansing milk to massage, him, in circular movements." advises Claire Martichoux, founder of Les Petits Soins institutes.
My shopping
The enveloping milky emulsion. Rich in moisturizing active ingredients, it cleanses the skin while respecting its physiological balance. Milky Cleansing Emulsion, Embryolisse, €13.15 for 200 ml. Available in pharmacies.
The refillable cleansing gel. Soothes and relieves minor irritations thanks to extracts of alpine plants with calming properties. Cleansing Gel, Susanne Kaufmann, €38 for 100ml. To be found on the ohmycream.com website.
The comfortable cleansing butter. It naturally dissolves the fatty substances of make-up and removes all impurities. Comfort cleansing butter, Mademoiselle Bio, €14.50 for 100 ml. To be found in cosmetics stores.
Read alsoI soften my lips
Fine and fragile, quickly dried out, the mucous membranes of the lips are devoid of a protective film: their surface is therefore particularly vulnerable to the cold and from the first exposures, they crack and chap. “Especially since as soon as they dry out, we tend to moisten them. But saliva, made to digest, not to hydrate, aggravates the problem, ”adds Dr. Baspeyras. For good hydration, keep a moisturizing and protective stick in your pocket (enriched with beeswax, cocoa or shea butter, jojoba oil, etc.), to be applied without moderation.
My shopping
The tinted balm. 99% naturally derived and enriched with organic coconut oil to nourish and protect. Cherry red nourishing lip balm, Mixa, €2.90 for 4.7 ml. To be found in supermarkets.
The vegan stick. With acai seed oil and regenerating and nourishing shea butter. Labello Vegan Naturally lip stick, €3.35 for 5.5 ml. To be found in supermarkets.
The flavored balm. A softening and anti-drying formula. Mango Norvina Lip Balm, Anastasia Beverly Hills, €20 for 8 g. To be found on the website anastasiabeverlyhills.com.
Read alsoI take care of my scalp
Suffocated by impurities and dead cells, suffocated by pollution and hats, the scalp often ends the winter irritated, with a return of dandruff. To keep it healthy and in top shape, just adopt a few simple gestures suggested by hairdresser Olivier Lebrun: "It's often the excess condensation that creates irritation: in winter, you have to dry your hair meticulously to avoid pH imbalances and desquamation. Also adopt a gentle cleansing base, strengthen the root with a fortifying serum and exfoliate the scalp weekly to cleanse. But without rubbing, we remain delicate! »
My shopping
The detox mask. Eliminates the accumulation of dead skin products and excess sebum in 5 minutes. Detoxifying mask for the scalp, (Malin+Goetz), €32 for 118 ml. To be found in the hair salon.
The express drying towel. To absorb water and make drying time twice as short. Copper Sure towel, Aquis, €30. Find it at Sephora.
The energizing serum. Fights against reaction hair loss and stimulates growth for stronger hair. Serum Stronger, Lazartigue, €55 for 30ml. Available in pharmacies.
Read alsoI feed my hands and my nails
Due to the lack of sebaceous glands, the hands do not tolerate temperature changes well. Faced with external attacks, they tend to respond with horny thickening, hyperkeratinization which prepares the ground for chapping. “The assiduous use of the hydroalcoholic gel did not help, underlines Dr. Baspeyras. It is therefore necessary to be extra gentle, wash them in lukewarm water with glycerine soap, dry them well and apply a nourishing cream every evening, to be massaged into the fingertips to take care of the nails while restoring reduced circulation. »
Wear gloves to avoid damaged hands in winter
The gloves have advantages that the cream does not have: they offer mechanical protection against the cold, and also prevent UV exposure, for skin that is prone to spots.
"I strongly believe in the effectiveness of cosmeto-textiles, provided that the active ingredients remain effective over time. If the active ingredient is contained in a microcapsule, it will often be released all at once, as soon as the capsule is broken ", explains Christine Lafforgue, dermo-pharmacologist. But if the active ingredients are present in the tissue in the form of microspheres, which wear away gently with friction, the promise of a long-lasting action is then quite realistic"
My shopping
The restorative ointment. Enriched with softening floral honey, it restores comfort and suppleness to damaged hands. The Hand Ointment, La Provençale €4.29 for 75 ml. To be found in supermarkets.
The anti-aging serum. With shea butter and hibiscus flower acid to illuminate and unify. Serum-in-Cream Hand Youth Care, L'Occitane, €26 for 75 ml. To be found in cosmetics stores.
Smooth cream. Soothing and fortifying, it nourishes, repairs and protects without sticking. Melting hand and nail cream, Onagrine, €6.90 for 50 ml. Available in pharmacies.
I get smooth, well-groomed feet
Endowed with a very thin hydrolipidic film, devoid of sebum and quickly cooled in winter, the feet are exposed to a real risk of dehydration and skin dryness and can even end up cracking. “To avoid cracks, they must be softened as often as possible with a lot of vegetable oils or butters, advises Farnaz Archange. But the gesture will be less useful if they are not erased regularly to thin them and optimize the penetration of active ingredients. To comfort them, massage them twice a day using a rich moisturizing cream or take advantage of the night to accelerate repair by washing them with cold water before applying your treatment on skin that is still damp and dry. put on a pair of cotton socks to wear until morning. »
My shopping
Anti-callus cream. A formula that smoothes and repairs cracked and cracked skin. 10% urea foot cream, Dr. Pierre Ricaud, €12.90 for 30 ml. To be found in the institute.
The melting cream. With calendula and arnica flower extracts, it softens and soothes roughness. My Foot Cream, Giphar Laboratory, €5.40 for 100 ml. Available in pharmacies.
I forget electric hair
In winter, the air is dry and conducts more static electricity. However, the surfactants present in hair products react to temperature drops by producing more and more! Not to mention the lack of humidity in heated interiors which further exacerbate the phenomenon by drying out the fiber. “To limit thermal shocks, dry the hair cold from root to tip and then apply a nourishing leave-in treatment to coat the hair with a protective barrier film. Finally, prefer brushes made of natural materials such as wood and boar bristles for styling,” recommends hairdresser Olivier Lebrun.
My shopping
The durable brush. Brings volume and shine in the morning. Eliminates dust and pollen at night, while disciplining strands. The Olivier Lebrun Care Brush, €95. To be found on the olabparis.com website.
The antistatic spray. A de-stressing, detangling and moisturizing hair spray that protects against daily aggressions. Elements regenerating leave-in spray, Wella Professionals, €25 for 150 ml. To be found in the hair salon.
I take food supplements to counter the nutrient deficit
It is recommended to follow a course of food supplements for two months. In addition to food, and in the case of both dry and sensitive skin, food supplements may be recommended. Ideally, before any cure, you should consult your doctor to discuss the most appropriate supplement.
Common ingredients for treating dry skin from the inside out include borage and evening primrose oils, as well as omega-3 supplements from fish oils. For an effect on the skin, it takes two months of treatment.
Read alsoAuthor: Aurélia Hermange, journalistExperts: Marielle Alix, naturopath; Farnaz Archange, beautician; Dr. Martine Baspeyras, dermatologist; Olivier Lebru, hairdresser and founder of the OLAB salon, Paris; Catherine Marin, consultant in traditional Chinese medicine. Article published on
