Winter conditions can be harsh on our skin. Especially if you’re on the East Coast of Australia, which is currently experiencing a severe polar blast. Even those in warmer climes, like the Northern Territory, will notice their skin may become compromised, due to lack of humidity in the air.
With this in mind, we grilled the expert in alpine skincare, Susanne Kauffmann, on how winter can damage our skin and how we can best combat the icy months ahead.
Winter can alter the skin’s barrier functions. Why is this?
When the outside temperature drops below five degrees Celsius, our skin reduces its sebum production and starts to store less moisture. The skin surface becomes dry. This weakens our skin barrier and allows pollution and toxins to easily penetrate the skin surface, which may cause blemishes and even allow for further moisture loss. It is vital to feed our skin lots of moisture in the wintertime. Even oilier complexions can suffer. Cold temperatures make them dry and flaky in winter too. Dry air and heaters worsen the dehydrating effect, stripping our skin of oils, and further weakening the skin barrier.
During Winter, how can we best combat the following conditions?
Teary, dry eyes
When indoors use a humidifier to prevent the delicate eye area and sensitive eyes from drying out. When outside in cold conditions, protect them with Nourishing Eye Cream to lock in essential lightweight moisture. It is perfect to calm and soothe the delicate eye area during the winter months, and is deeply hydrating and protective.
Irritated and sensitive/stinging skin
Opt for a soothing day and night time skincare regime to help support and calm. Soothing Cleansing Milk softly cleanses the skin, removing all traces of makeup while leaving the skin hydrated and supple. For an intense moisture treatment, follow with our deeply rich Moisturising Mask. it contains hyaluronic acid, honey and almond oil to offer an immediate moisture kick. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water. You can also leave it on on as an over-night treatment.
Redness
Stick to a very simple soothing skincare regime. Incorporate a protective serum to help strengthen the barrier against external influences that can trigger redness. I recommend Regeneration Day Cream Line T and Regeneration Cream Line T. These were developed to calm and cool signs of redness, rosacea and irritation and to moisturise even the most sensitive of skin types.
Dryness
To keep dryness and flaky skin at bay, add a hydrating serum. After cleansing, apply our Nutrient Concentrate Skin Smoothing Serum to lock in moisture. Follow with Regeneration Cream Line T.
Chapped lips
Slather lips regularly throughout the day with a deeply hydrating lip balm, such as Nourishing Lip Balm.
How can we ensure our barrier function is always protected?
During winter, rich layers of hydration are needed. Swap your regular cream with a protective cream as soon as temperatures drop below five degrees. Pair with Hyaluron Serum to lock in moisture and strengthen cell membranes. Apply a thick layer of Moisturising Mask as an overnight treatment once a week.
How can our skincare either save our skin, or indeed damage it, in the winter months?
Layering moisture is a great way of strengthening skin barrier. Using a light mist and serum followed by a nourishing and protective moisturiser works to protect the skin from external stressors. Be careful not to over cleanse during winter, as it will strip the skin of its natural oils. Opt for a soothing cleanser and follow with a nourishing, rich cream to prevent moisture loss and strengthen skin barrier. Avoid hot water and apply body products as soon as you can after bathing to seal in moisture.
Top tip: Pay attention to hands and feet in winter. An impaired skin barrier anywhere on face or body will dramatically impact the the skin and how it communicates with our other body systems.
Your formulas are all plant based. What can we learn from plants and gain from plant extracts when it comes to great skin and proper skincare?
We can all learn from the force of nature that plants and natural derivatives provide. One example is Ectoin. it is a natural anti-stress molecule found to stabilise cell membranes particularly from environmental stresses such as variations in temperature, strong UV radiation, or dehydration. Ectoin is also water-binding molecule. Thus, it’s an ideal ingredient in skincare, particularly moisturisers where offers the same anti-stress protection to skin cell membranes.
For dark winter days I like to use fruit acid products. This is the perfect time to apply exfoliating and skin-brightening products with fruit acids (AHA). In summer, they should be used with caution as they increase the cell turnover and photosensitise skin against UV rays. Our popular Enzyme Peel uses fruit acids from apple, papaya, and kiwi to gently exfoliate and reveal a renewed healthy complexion.
What are your top lifestyle tips for great skin in winter and all year round?
I have always had a holistic approach to selfcare and beauty. This means if you live an all-round healthy lifestyle, you will not only look but feel your best-self. A healthy diet as well as regular exercise has a massive effect on our appearance and overall wellbeing.
I like to start the day with a brisk morning walk and apply a refreshing face mask like Glow Mask beforehand. This allows it to absorb into the skin while I walk. For the body, you can apply a powerful body oil and then put on compression tights or leggings before your morning walk. The combination of a body oil, tights, and light exercise results in a lymphatic massage. This helps stimulate and activate underlying tissues to provide essential oxygen and nutrients. It also eliminates the build-up of stagnant toxins which cause skin to become dull, flat and lacklustre. Stay hydrated! I love to prepare a nourishing breakfast of rice congee and pear to support skin hydration. it is a great way to kick-start my winter morning.
Who is Susanne Kauffman?
Susanne has been a pioneer in natural, sustainable skincare since 2003. her Susanne’s life and work combines unique Austrian tradition with modern innovation. Born and raised in the Austrian Alps, Susanne grew up with an endless flow of inspiration that came from nature, alongside a tight-knit community that prides itself on self-sustainability and local, artisan craftmanship passed down for generations.
At the age of 23, after graduating from the hotel management school “Centre International de Glion” in Montreux, Susanne took over the family run Hotel Post in Bezau, which had been helmed by the Kaufmann family since the 1850’s.
One of Susanne’s initial projects was to develop the hotel’s Spa with its own range of signature beauty treatments. She quickly realised this would need to be married with a cosmetic line that not only supported the treatments, but also resonated with her connection to nature and celebrated regional, sustainable values without compromising on efficacy. And so, the hotel and its spa were the birthplace of Kaufmann’s eponymous brand that has sustainably and locally produced natural skincare for over 18 years.
Her line of natural skin, body and bath products that bring together the beneficial properties of Alpine flora locally sourced, with proven skin science to deliver highly effective long-lasting results. The powerful and natural formulas are created using only the finest plants and botanicals, carefully chosen for their efficacy and skin affinity as well as pioneering sustainable manufacturing methods.
Susanne continues to steer the brand from Austria, working closely with local partners and long-standing regional relationships to lead the way in sustainable production, scientific ingredient findings and efficacious, natural formulas.
