With the cold weather this week we were reminded of the importance to adjust our skincare routine to account for the harsh environmental conditions. The cold winter air can leave skin feeling dry, dehydrated, and damaged. That is why it is crucial to take care of your skin during these colder months.

During the winter, the humidity levels typically drop, causing the air to dry out your skin. To avoid damage, a moisturising routine that locks in hydration is needed.

Dry skin can be itchy, flaky, and ultimately lead to conditions such as eczema, so it is crucial to use a suitable moisturizer. Moreover, as the winter sun is often less intense, it is essential to remember that sunscreen is still required to protect the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

In addition to hydration and protection, winter skincare should also focus on repair. Our skin is our first defense against the harsh weather conditions and is bound to sustain damage. Using products with repairing properties or ingredients such as retinol or vitamin C can help rebuild the skin's barrier and restore its health.

Another beneficial skincare practice during winter is gentle exfoliation. As our skin becomes drier, dead skin cells can accumulate, leaving it looking dull and feeling rough. Exfoliating once a week with a gentle scrub can help remove these dead skin cells, allowing your skin to absorb your moisturizers and serums more effectively.

Even though we may be tempted to take hot showers or baths during the winter, it is essential to avoid them. Hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it even drier than before. Instead, opt for a lukewarm shower or bath and apply a moisturizer immediately after.

In conclusion, taking care of your skin during winter is crucial to maintaining its health and appearance. Remember to keep your skin hydrated, protected, and repair it when needed. With the right routine, you can keep your skin looking and feeling its best, even in the harshest winter conditions.

To help you moisture, protect and care for your skin, we have listed 3 skincare products from (of course!) sustainable brands we love below:

For the lips

We are lips in for Gisou, a brand that prioritises bee welfare for the line’s star ingredients, Mirsalehi honey and propolis. What makes it susttainable? Their  cruelty-free, sustainable beekeeping, bases itself on only harvesting the surpluses of honey and propolis from the bees. Packaged in glass and manufactured at a 100% Carbon Neutral powered by solar energy, all Gisou products come with recycling instructions.

For suncare

Any sunblock we wear must be reef-safe (face and body). This sun protection cream leaves no white cast thanks to moisturising non-nano mineral formulas that come with their own refills for bottles made with 51% post-consumer recycled landfill plastic that also utilise a foil-sealing process which prevents the need for over 1,200 single-use plastic caps per hour during production (brilliant for skin and the planet!).

 For the body

Costa Brazil’s new body cream has its ingredients sustainably sourced from local farmers in the Amazonian Rainforest. This rich, super-concentrated cream means less is required to hydrate with the likes of vitamin C-rich camu camu oil and brightening murumuru butter. Plus, its aluminum packaging can be endlessly recycled.

For the hair 

Salwa Peterson says that 100% of the electricity used to produce her products is green, meaning 100% of the water is “cleaned and returned to nature,” 100% of vegetable trash is composted, 100% of packaging is recyclable, and 100% of paper is FSC certified. Too good to be true? It gets better!

The women who respectfully harvest the organic Chébé seeds in the line’s hair cream are paid three times the local salary, and 2% of proceeds go to African Parks Network, which manages 20 National Parks across the continent for a partnership that’s helped them, technically, reach carbon-negative status. Incredible.

Have we forgotten any essentials or perhaps you have a favourite brand you'd like to share? Let us know via instagram @gngrbees & happy Sunday!