Why Your Skin Changes in Colder Months

Fall/Winter can be one of the harshest seasons for your skin. Between cold air, indoor heating, and low humidity, your skin loses moisture faster than it can replenish it. The result? Flakiness, tightness, dull tone, and premature fine lines, all classic signs of a compromised barrier.

Your skin barrier is your natural defense system. When it’s healthy, it locks in moisture and keeps environmental stressors out. When it’s damaged, your skin becomes more reactive, more sensitive, and far less radiant.

That’s why your winter skincare routine must shift from light, summer formulas to rich, hydrating, non-toxic treatments that restore balance and lock in hydration.

Step 1: Gentle Exfoliation; Out with the Old, Glow with the New

Even in winter, exfoliation remains essential. Dead skin cells accumulate faster when your skin is dry, and they block moisture from getting where it needs to go.

But here’s the key: go gentle, not aggressive. Over-scrubbing can worsen dryness and strip your barrier further. Instead, reach for a clean, non-toxic physical exfoliator like Elan Pure’s Exfoliating Mitt once a week.

Benefits of exfoliating regularly:

1. Removes dull, flaky buildup so skin looks fresh and smooth.
2. Boosts circulation for that healthy glow.
3. Prepares your skin for better absorption of moisturizers and self-tanners.

 Pro tip: Exfoliate before applying Élan Pure’s Glow + Treatment for the most even, patch-free results.

Step 2: Strengthen and Protect Your Skin Barrier

Think of your barrier like a warm winter coat for your skin, it keeps the good stuff in (moisture) and the bad stuff out (pollution, toxins, bacteria). When cold weather and central heating disrupt it, you need ingredients that repair and fortify that shield.

Look for barrier-supporting ingredients like:

1. Glycerin: A powerful humectant that draws moisture deep into your skin and prevents transepidermal water loss.
2. Aloe Vera: Naturally soothing and anti-inflammatory,  ideal for calming redness and irritation.
3. Hyaluronic Acid: Holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, delivering plump, hydrated skin instantly.
4. Ceramides or natural oils: These act as the “glue” that keeps your skin cells strong and intact.

Avoid products with alcohols, synthetic fragrance, or dyes.  They strip your skin of its protective oils and accelerate dehydration.

Step 3: Lock In Hydration; Moisturize & Glow the Non-Toxic Way

Winter skin thrives on layering moisture. Start with a hydrating serum, then seal it in with a nourishing moisturizer or treatment.

Traditional lotions often rely on silicones or mineral oils that sit on top of your skin without delivering deep hydration. Elan Pure’s Foam and lotion, non-toxic self tanner and self tanning face mist are different. We use non-toxic ingredients that protect and fortify your skin.

Our Glow + Treatment Self-Tanner & Self Tan Face Mist is more than a tanning product,  it’s your weekly skincare treatment disguised as a tan. Here’s why:

1. Glycerin locks in moisture all day long.
2. Hyaluronic Acid replenishes your skin’s natural hydration reservoir.
3. Aloe Vera soothes dryness and supports collagen production.
4. No dyes, parabens, or fragrance, so it nourishes even sensitive skin.

Step 4: Make Hydration a Lifestyle

Healthy, glowing winter skin starts inside your body, too. To support your skin from the inside out:

1. Hydrate smartly: Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily, and consider warm lemon water or herbal teas.
2. Eat healthy fats: Avocado, salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts provide the omegas your skin barrier loves.
3. Sleep + stress management: Cortisol and fatigue disrupt skin renewal, rest is skincare.

Step 5: Your Weekly Winter Glow Ritual

Create a routine that feels indulgent yet restorative:

1. Exfoliate gently with Elan Pure’s Mitt.
2. Apply the Glow + Treatment evenly in the AM or PM
3. Reapply once or twice weekly to enhance the glow and hydrate your skin

By using a skincare-grade tanner that doubles as treatment, you’re feeding your skin while maintaining a healthy, natural glow all winter,  no patchiness, no dryness, no toxins.

The Takeaway

Your skin doesn’t have to hibernate for winter. With gentle exfoliation, a strong skin barrier, and a non-toxic  hydration, your glow can thrive through the cold months.

Élan Pure’s Glow + Treatment bridges the gap between skincare and self-tanning. Hydrating deeply while delivering a naturalt, confidence-boosting glow.

This winter, glow from a place of nourishment, not dryness.