5 Tips A Korean Beauty Expert Swears By For Glowing Skin In Winter
Winter weather has a lot to answer for. Chapped lips and parched hands are just a couple of the beauty grumbles pretty much all of us experience when the temperature plummets but the effects on facial skin can be a little more obvious. Alongside dry, flaky patches, you might notice that your skin has lost its healthy sheen. That’s where K-Beauty comes to the rescue.
No one knows more about how to achieve glowing skin than Glow Recipe‘s cofounder Christine Chang. The Korean-inspired skincare brand is famous for championing buzzy ingredients before they hit the mainstream and Christine is a font of knowledge when it comes to game-changing skin trends, too.
Last year Christine introduced us to double seruming (layering potent serums for maximum results, fast) as well as jelly skin (skin so hydrated, it’s bouncy). Ahead of 2022, there’s a whole host of new tips and tricks that are popular in Korean skincare circles and which are proven to take lacklustre skin and make it luminous.
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We’re not talking supplements, rather vitamin-infused skincare — and one vitamin in particular. “Vitamin C is like a multivitamin for the skin,” said Christine. “It’s a daily essential.” The ingredient is tricky to formulate and can be unpleasant because of the smell – not to mention the stinging and irritation if too strong – but Glow Recipe has formulated a gentler product, which tackles hyperpigmentation and dark spots: Guava Vitamin C Ferulic Dark Spot Serum, £41. “With vitamin C, it’s all about what your skin can tolerate,” said Christine. “Hyperpigmentation doesn’t only come from UV exposure, it comes from inflammation,” for example skin irritation and redness. Christine warns that using a vitamin C serum that’s too potent and harsh on skin can exacerbate hyperpigmentation further.
Double moisturising has succeeded last year’s trend of double seruming, which involves layering your serums for the best results. It makes sense, considering the weather is about to turn. Rather than buy a much thicker moisturiser for the winter months (which could potentially clog your pores, especially if you’re breakout-prone), Christine suggests layering up a lightweight moisturiser or whatever you’re using currently. R29 rates Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment, £105, which makes skin smooth, and Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion Moisturiser, £15.50, if you’re on a budget.
“If you’re using a product like this, doubling up can give you the hydration you need,” said Christine, all without making skin feel greasy. If your moisturiser is on the thicker side because you have dry skin, you could also layer up. “Slathering on another light layer of heavy moisturiser can work as an overnight mask and it’ll give you that extra hydration,” said Christine. She likes Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream, £36.
Before moisturiser or makeup, Christine relies on a base layer of hyaluronic acid serum to make her skin bouncy and elastic. “Hyaluronic acid is so talked about in the industry but we underestimate how much all skin types can benefit from a really great hydrating and plumping treatment, especially oily skin types,” she said. Christine uses Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum, £37, under moisturiser daily. Christine’s best skincare advice comes from her mum. “She cleanses for three minutes and spends one minute on her nose alone.” While Christine thinks that’s a little too long, she does recommend cleansing for a total of 60 seconds. “We’re so used to cleansing quickly and rinsing fast so the one-minute trick really does give you time to go into the crevices of the face and the areas that need extra care. I’ve seen a remarkable difference in my skin in general. I do focus on the oilier areas of my face and tend to start there. These small habits are important.”
We know that moisture is important for glowy, bouncy skin but it isn’t just about applying hydrating skincare. There is one tip that Christine loves for preventing moisture loss in the winter. “We recommend not using a towel to dry your face because it wicks away too much moisture,” said Christine. Instead she suggested patting your skin dry with your hands and applying your skincare to damp skin to maximise the benefits. “There’s also hygiene issues with towels, which may be hanging next to your toilet in your bathroom,” she added. Layering serums and moisturisers onto damp, clean skin will help to lock in moisture. “Applying skincare to completely dry skin will not give you the benefits you need.”
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