(Re)build your Skincare Routine: Cream & Oil

As we dive into November, the brisk air and falling leaves signal a shift not only in the weather but also in your skincare routine. The autumn and winter months demand a change in your regimen to adapt to the challenges of the season. This time, we're going to explore the transformative impact of creams and oils in your skincare routine.

September added lightweight enrichment and hydration to your routine, October was all about tackling personal skin concerns with concentrated formulas and now November will bring rich moisture and nourishment. Did you catch up on the previous steps in your routine? Check our recommendations for September here, and the essentials for October here. 

The (Re)build your Skincare Routine journey is all about guiding you through the steps of creating a customized skincare routine that’s one with the seasons and your skin. Each month we will highlight what products you can either add or swap in your current routine, making it more winter-proof with each step.

Winter skincare tips

Cooler temperatures and reduced humidity levels can leave your skin feeling parched, lackluster, and in need of extra care. Low humidity in addition to the dry air created by indoor heating can seriously deplete the skin of moisture. The skin drying out can lead to many other issues, inflammation, redness, itching, and overall irritation. It’s also a culprit of worsening certain skin conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema. Creams and oils are your dynamic duo to the rescue, providing deep nourishment and protection against the elements.

Besides maintaining healthy hydration levels, adding a nourishing cream and oil to the routine will strengthen the skin barrier and prevent dull skin. Harsh weather conditions can compromise your skin's protective barrier. Creams containing ceramides and niacinamide aid in restoring and fortifying this barrier, preventing water loss and safeguarding your skin from the chilly winds and frigid temperatures. While today we focus on the last steps of our skincare routine, check out our full winter routine recommendation here.

Some things we want to make sure to add in our routine this month are:

• Set moisturizing as your top priority
• Boost your skin’s nutrient intake
• Add a hydrating (eye) cream
• Finish off with an oil
• Don’t forget the SPF

When to use face oil in skincare routine?

Autumn and winter months can suck the moisture from your skin, leaving it dry and prone to dehydration. Creams and oils packed with emollients and humectants, seal in moisture and create a protective shield. Argan, or jojoba oil, offer deep hydration, helping your skin retain its natural moisture. Oils also contribute to barrier repair, promoting a healthier, more resilient complexion. Are you looking for something that helps with rejuvenation, then definitely add rosehip oil to your routine which is rich in antioxidants.

Oils should be the final step in your skincare routine, since they’re the heaviest skincare product in the routine. Note however, that an oil should still be applied before a sunscreen if you choose to use a face oil in the morning. A few drops can go a long way. Gently press the oil into your skin rather than rubbing it to ensure even distribution.

Creams & Oils for every skin type

Normal skin

While normal skin types usually have no problem keeping their skin balanced, this time of the year is especially important to focus on skin barrier strength and moisturizing. Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream is a rich cream that contains plenty of skin barrier strengthening ingredients. It has tiny capsules that will “burst” upon application and spread all the nutrients and goodies on the skin. Trying to provide your skin with that extra level of care and protection, then definitely reach for the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Facial Oil. The oil has a light texture that will still support the skin in the cold seasons. It’s not only an amazing strengthener but also works to stimulate cell renewal and calm down irritations, making it a great multitasker. 

Dry skin

We definitely recommend dry skin types to add both a nourishing cream as well as an oil into their winter skincare routine. Opt for Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream. A cream enriched with panthenol, shea butter, and green tea to intensely hydrate the skin. Combined with a facial oil like Aromatica Organic Rose Hip Oil it will boost the skin with antioxidants while closing in all the goodies into the skin and preventing moisture from evaporating.

Combination skin

During the summer, combination skin might struggle more with sebum production while in the winter dryness can become a main issue. That’s why it’s so important to have a routine that changes with the seasons. A lightweight, yet nourishing cream is a great option for combination skin types to keep the oil-water balance in the skin. The Purito Dermide Relief Barrier Moisturizer is our go to recommendation here. The Purito moisturizer is enriched with ceramides to make your skin barrier strong and healthy. If your skin is a little under the weather, or you notice some extra dry areas it might also be smart to apply a non-comedogenic oil like the Purito Plainet Squalane Oil 100. The oil is made out of 100% pure Squalane derived from sugar cane. It’s non-sticky and non-greasy, making it a great option for both combination and oily skin types. 

Oily Skin

Lightweight, non-comedogenic creams paired with oils like tea tree or rosehip are ideal for oily skin. They offer hydration without clogging pores. Is your oily skin in need of some lightweight nourishment during the cold, then reach for the COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream for a quickly absorbing gel-cream that delivers a hydrating punch with hyaluronic acid and green tea. Are you a fan of something more creamy but lightweight? Then the Jumiso Have A Good Cream Snail & Centella could be a great option. It works anti-inflammatory and soothing, which is ideal for those that get blemishes from time to time. Speaking of blemishes, did you know that you can actually use oil on oily skin? Oils that are rich in linoleic acid actually help regulate sebum production without clogging pores. Oils like the Potions Tea Tree Oil also work great for blemishes since tea tree is a natural ingredient that fights inflammation and bacteria that cause pimples. 

Mature Skin

Loads of Korean creams are enriched with peptides and antioxidants, accompanied by nourishing oils, they can work wonders for mature skin. First, reach for a rich cream like the iUNIK Black Snail Restore Cream that is infused with snail mucin to deliver anti-aging benefits and deep care to the skin. Add onto that the COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil and you’re set with an amazing anti-aging routine. The COSRX Retinol Oil is an especially great option if you haven’t started with retinol products yet. Do you already have a retinol treatment in the routine, then swap the COSRX oil for the Pyunkang Yul Oil. It provides antioxidant care with a powerful blend of plant-based oils which also restore and hydrate the skin. The oil is lightweight and will keep skin looking youthful and radiant.

Sensitive skin

The low humidity, cold temperatures, and dry air from heating can actually cause sensitive skin to become more prone to irritations and inflammation. Look for creams and oils with soothing ingredients like chamomile or calendula. These gentle formulations will provide hydration and calm redness. Stick to a mild formula that strengthens the skin, such as the Purito B5 Panthenol Re-barrier Cream. The stronger your skin barrier the better it will be able to protect your skin from the outside irritating culprits. Feel free to also add a lightweight, nourishing oil such as the Potions Camellia Seed Oil Serum. The oil consists of a single ingredients to minimize irritation and is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids, helping to nourish and moisturize the skin.

As we welcome November and the colder months, your skincare routine should evolve to meet your skin's changing needs. Creams and oils are your reliable allies for maintaining a luminous complexion, boosting hydration, and shielding your skin from the elements. Customized to your skin type and concerns, this dynamic duo can ensure your skin remains healthy and radiant throughout autumn and winter.