As temperatures fall, the battle for healthy skin rises. With bitterly cold winds stripping skin of its essential oils combined with low-humidity air, skin can easily become cracked, itchy, and flaky. Before you pack up and move to a more dewy climate, know that with the proper winter skin care routine your skin can be plump and juicy in the colder months. You just need to take the proper steps.

Step One: Exfoliate

Scrubs, enzymes, and alpha hydroxy acids are necessary to improve your skin’s texture and brightness. Exfoliation allows the skin to regenerate and helps the serums and lotions you use to penetrate the areas that need the most moisture. Late fall and winter are excellent seasons to focus on brightening and lightening your skin using exfoliation, as less sun exposure means less risk of skin damage caused by UV exposure.

Step Two: Repair

To repair and replenish the skin’s delicate tissues, long chains of amino acids in the way of peptides need to be applied to the skin. Peptides can help to rebuild collagen and improve elasticity, allowing the skin to regain its depth and plumpness, while also improving fine lines. For the repair of aging or dull-looking skin, application of anti-oxidants are needed to neutralize free radical damage, giving skin new luster.

Step Three: Hydrate

Just as drinking water is important to maintaining good health, keeping your skin hydrated can lead to less damage. Gulping down your eight glasses a day isn’t shown to help your skin directly, but hyaluronic acid can be used to bind water to the delicate layers of your skin. Water is a fascinating ingredient that can improve texture and overall luminosity, giving you a brighter and more youthful appearance.

Step Four: Protect

Lock in moisture and protect your skin from the wind and cold by applying a day cream or serum formulated for your particular needs. Look for products that contain sunscreen, as regular application is still necessary to protect against UV exposure even if the sun isn’t as warm. At night, tailor your regimen to include formulations with active ingredients, such as peptides to build collagen and elastin fibers.

Need help getting your skin back to good health or want to prevent any future damage? Try Olo’s signature Acu-Facial. Starting from the inside out, sessions begin with acupuncture and body alignment techniques, and end with custom formulations crafted with the highest quality herbs and essential oils for your specific skincare needs. This ultimate facial experience will leave your skin dewy, hydrated, and toned.