Is having a hydrated and radiant skin in your bucket list? With summers taking a backseat and winter taking the lead, your skin must be feeling much drier than usual. On colder days, your skin tends to be dry and you need to care for it a lot more than usual. Slapping on moisturizers now and then might not be the best way out here. Your best defense in this scenario is to treat your skin mindfully by choosing the best ingredients in your winter skincare.

But how do you know what ingredient is right for you? There is a plethora of information on this buzzing topic so it can be confusing. Fret not, 'cause we have got it all in one place. Keep on scrolling to see the list of seven ingredients we created to implement in your winter skincare. 

7 Best ingredients for winter

1.Ceramides

Ceramides naturally make up about 50 per cent of your skin and they are produced by the skin to hydrate and nourish it. So why would you need to apply it over topically? Unfortunately, factors like a bad skincare routine, weather, over-exfoliation, and even ageing can stop your skin from producing enough ceramides. So to replenish and make up for all the lost ceramides, you need to use skincare products that include ceramides.

 Foxtale’s smoothening moisturizer is the perfect way of protecting yourself from the dry winter air and maintaining your skin barrier.  The major role of ceramides is to act as a protective layer of your skin which makes them one of the best anti-ageing powerhouse ingredients!

2.Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid or HA is one of the most talked-about ingredients in recent years and we think it was all worth it. According to research, this is a naturally occurring carbohydrate that can absorb and retain up to 1000 times its weight in water. This increases the moisture level of your skin.

When your skin is hydrated with this ingredient, the skin cell regeneration process is also increased. Foxtale’s Hyaluronic acid serum helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and it also creates a plumping effect on the skin. 

3.Olive oil

Olive oil is not the most talked about, popular ingredient all over the internet yet, but it will become one very soon once people get to know a little secret about it. The hydrogenated form of olive oil is a soft lipid-derived that is known to have nourishing properties to support healthy skin. Research has shown that it is 4 times more effective than Squalene, which keeps your skin hydrated and strengthens the skin barrier.

If you are looking to introduce all these three superfood ingredients in your winter skincare, check out Foxtale’s Smoothening moisturizer. The lightweight yet hydrating texture, skin-loving ingredient checklist, and radiant look post-application will make your skin fall in love with it instantly.4

4.Vitamin B3

Niacinamide or Vitamin B3 is often considered only to be an ingredient that treats acne and hyperpigmentation, but in reality, it can do much more than that. It is a super versatile ingredient that strengthens the skin barrier, enhances texture, and retains moisture. Foxtale’s Acne spot corrector gel contains this hero ingredient which helps in clearing out pores to reduce acne overnight and lessens pimple-related redness and inflammation. If you experience dull/dry skin and wish to brighten up your skin, incorporate this ingredient in your winter skincare. 

5.Vitamin B5

Can you think of an ingredient that can help you achieve that hydrated, healthy, and smooth skin instantly? If you can’t think of it, here’s your answer: Panthenol, or Vitamin B5 it is! Brands use panthenol in their products as a softening, soothing, and anti-inflammatory agent. Foxtale’s Hydrating face wash contains this essential vitamin that promotes faster healing of the skin resulting in a reduction in acne and blemishes over time. Studies have shown that because of its viscous texture, it helps to build a strong skin barrier and in turn reduces water loss from the skin, making it a superb addition to your winter skincare.

6.Vitamin E

Another powerhouse ingredient that you shouldn’t think about before adding to your winter skincare is Vitamin E. If you have been waiting to break up with your dry and parched skin, look for products that incorporate Vitamin E. Not only will it moisturize your skin, but it will also protect your skin from free radicals and harmful UV rays.

Our dewy finish sunscreen and matte finish sunscreen are lovely formulations that use all the three Vitamins talked about above. Include these magical potions in your winter skincare now! 

7.Vitamin C

One of the best known anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and antioxidant ingredients is here in front of you, Vitamin C! It is a very popular ingredient that minimizes the appearance of fine lines, protects skin from free radicals, boosts collagen production, and helps you achieve beautiful and healthy-looking skin.

If you are looking to incorporate this super awesome ingredient in your winter skincare, don’t look any further and try our C For Yourself Vitamin C Serum. It is packed with one of the most potent and purest forms of Vitamin C, L-Ascorbic acid. Whether you are drinking Vitamin C (orange juice) or adding this ingredient to your routine, you are doing the right thing!

Easy tips to incorporate in your winter skincare routine

Although ingredients play a major role in keeping your skin healthy and in great shape, we believe that lifestyle changes alongside would be as effective. Here are a few simple tips you must include in your routine to get better results.

1.Stay hydrated-

It is a common habit to forget to hydrate yourself especially during a cold season like winter. It's a bad habit to forget to drink water, especially in the winter when it's freezing outside. However, during such dry times, our skin is unable to retain moisture, thus it is crucial to stay hydrated. You can always drink fruit-infused drinks if you find it difficult to drink plain water.

2.Put on sunscreen

Its a common misconception that during winters you shouldn't put on sunscreen SPF 50 because your skin is less exposed to sun's rays. Even if the sun's warmth is soothing, your skin can nevertheless suffer serious harm from the UV rays. Always remember to use sun protection, even on gloomy winter days. 

3.Avoid taking hot showers

It can be tempting to turn up the heat, especially in the winter, but hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and make it more prone to drying out, cracking, and peeling. To retain as much moisture as you can, try using lukewarm water. 

4.Use moisturizer on damp skin 

Using moisturizer immediately after you shower helps lock in the moisture as it helps to keep skin moist.

5.Take extra care of your lips 

Since the skin on the lip is thinner and continuously exposed to the weather, they can become very dry in the winter. Additionally, unlike the rest of our skin, lips do not contain oil glands that keep them hydrated. So, it is necessary to generously use lip balms and oils to get those perfect moisturized lips.  

Face masking is a momentary relaxation with the added benefits of skincare. But it is essential to choose a face mask that suits your skin type perfectly. DIY or readymade- face masks come in a variety of concoctions but are targeted to specific skin types. To reap the maximum benefit of any such masks, making the choice correctly is important.

The first and foremost thing is to understand the skin texture thoroughly and in parallel, the benefits of different face masks. Let’s get into the details of it in this article. 

Types Of Face Masks: What Is The Best For You? 

It is essential to understand the different types of masks available today. They are segregated based on texture and ingredients mostly.

1. Gel Mask: They are water-based and oil-free face masks, making them ideal for oily skin. They usually have a cooling sensation that can soothe irritated and sensitive skin. Such masks are suitable for most skin types.

2. Clay/Mud Mask: These are clay-based masks prepared from different types of cosmetic-grade clays like Multani mitti, red clay and many more. They are thick and feel slightly tight on the skin once they dry down. Usually, they are for oily skin but there are hydrating variants too. It is best to avoid formulations that are too dry as they render the skin flaky if used rigorously. You must use a hydrating serum and a nourishing, barrier repair moisturizer to balance out the effect.

3. Cream Masks: The texture of such masks is similar to a moisturizer. They usually have oils and emollients as base ingredients. They are most suited when your skin needs a glow and hydrated feel. Hence, it is best for normal to dry skin types.

4. Sheet masks: They are the quickest solution when you want a quick boost of hydration & moisturization. These are made of various woven or natural fabrics saturated with serums that provide different benefits. The sheet mask is suitable for all skin types, depending on the variant you choose.  

Benefits Of A Face Mask 

Depending on its ingredient profile, a face mask can target a range of concerns like dullness, dehydration, clogged pores and more. Scroll ahead for more benefits.

1. It is a great pick-me-up: A face mask is not only restorative for the skin but also for the soul. Weekly masking rituals are a great way to unwind and decompress– a much-deserved TLC session.

2. Deep-detox: Your skin bears the brunt of menacing pollutants, dirt and grime on the daily. A potent face mask helps dislodge these impurities from the deepest layer of your skin – which may not be possible with your everyday cleanser.

3. Unclog Pores: A potent clay mask (a form of facial mask) is a must-have for people with oily skin or acne-prone skin. This formulation removes impurities, gunk and sebum from the pores for a clarified complexion.

4. Targeted Treatment: A mask is applied to a thoroughly cleansed face for about 15 to 20 minutes (can be more). This prolonged contact period allows its ingredients (re: antioxidants, active, minerals or more) to seep into the deepest layers of the skin. 

In a way, a face mask serves as a quick yet long-lasting fix for concerns like dehydration, dullness, open pores, pigmentation, and more. 

Some Tips To Help You Get The Maximum Benefits Of A Face mask 

The first and foremost rule to choosing a face mask is understanding your skin type. Here are a few tips to get the maximum benefits of a face mask:

1. First, recognize your skin texture. Normal, dry, oily and combination are widely witnessed skin types. The texture of your skin can change from one season to another, hence your face masking routine should be flexible too.

2 .Face masking should always be a part of your skincare routine and not the only ritual you follow. The ideal sequence is cleaning the face well with a gentle face wash, followed by masking and then moisturizing and protecting in the daytime. 

3 .If you are using DIY masks which are mostly clay-based, a good Vitamin C serum after masking and before moisturizing can help to neutralize the drying effects better.

4. Always do a patch test for readily available as well as homemade face masks to ensure you do not have any adverse reaction to them. If available, go for a trial size of a face mask to check how it fares.

5. A general rule of thumb for choosing face masks for different skin types are as follows:

Normal or dry skin: Face masks with moisturizing and hydrating ingredients are ideal for you. Sleeping masks also work great for such people. 

Oily or combination skin: Clay-based masks and mud masks work best as they unclog the pores better and offer deeper cleansing. 

Hyperpigmented skin: Such skin can be either oily or normal. But when the primary concern is reducing hyperpigmentation, a brightening mask with ingredients such as exfoliating acids works best.

Making your Face Mask 

Face masks can be homemade or store-bought. Irrespective of the type, masking should be ideally no more than twice a week at most. Here are a few homemade mask recipes to try out:

1. Clay mask 

Clay masks are the easiest to make at home. Many different clays come with different properties. But in general, all have the same goal of drawing out excess sebum and unclogging pores. Here’s how you can prepare a mask at home: 

Take a tablespoon of cosmetic grade clay of your choice (Multani mitti and red clay being the driest and dead sea clay being comparatively hydrating), add half a spoon of cosmetic-grade charcoal powder, and rose water (or plain water) to make a thick paste. Apply and leave it on for not more than 10 minutes and then rinse off.

2. Honey mask 

For normal to dry skin, a moisturizing mask like the honey mask works great. Simply take a tablespoon of organic honey, add a pinch of turmeric powder or matcha green tea to make a paste and apply this on the face. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off. 

Face masking is a great practice when you take extra care with all other skincare steps involved. At Foxtale we highly recommend you use our products that are mild and effective so that masking does not cause any side effects. 

Best Face Masks On Foxtale  

Pick from our selection of face masks for a 360-degree skin transformation. No hassles, no splurging! 

1. Overnight Glow Mask 

Hero Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Mandelic Acids 

Price: INR 595 

USP: Grants Glow Overnight  

Who doesn’t like waking up to the skin of their dreams? 

Foxtale’s innovative Overnight Glow Mask leverages a Rapid Retexturizing Technology to grant your smooth skin overnight. The cream-like formula is powered with AHA and PHAs that dissolve dead cells or build up to reveal gorgeous, glowing skin. Use the Overnight Glow Mask weekly to fight clogged pores, whiteheads, blackheads, and acne.

More Reasons To Love: 

- Starts working in 30 seconds 

- Extremely gentle on the skin

-  Grants long-lasting glow

-  Convenience of a treatment/cream as it requires no rinsing 

2. Skin Radiance Mask

Hero Ingredients: Lactic Acid, Brazilian Clay, Kaolin Clay  

Price: INR 545  

USP: Brightens Skin In 10 Minutes

Foxtale’s Skin Radiance Mask puts a new-age spin on the traditional ubtan. It carries a medley of clays that gently buff away dead cells, excess sebum, and tan. Moreover, the gorgeous purple whip forms an anti-dehydration shield on your skin, preventing water loss for 8 hours at a stretch. It is a great alternative to a spa treatment for instant brightening.  

Use the Skin Radiance Mask to fight tan, dullness, clogged pores and more. 

More Reasons To Love 

- Doesn’t dry out your skin 

- Perfect for whiteheads removal 

- Delivers incomparable results in 10 minutes 

- Bolsters the skin barrier

- Formulated for all skin types

3. Purify & Glow Cleanser + Mask

Hero Ingredients: French Pink Clay, Kaolin Clay, and Sodium PCA 

Price: INR 395 

USP: 5 Minute Glow Guaranteed 

Want that enviable skin glow but don’t have the time to hit the salon? Place your trust in our 2-in-1 Purify & Glow Cleanser + Mask. The 5 minute glow mask deeply detoxifies the pores to unveil the bright, smooth surface sitting underneath. The presence of Sodium PCA in the formulation delivers a big boost of hydration to the skin for its soft, supple appearance. 

Use the Purify & Glow Mask to fight dullness, congested pores and beat-looking skin. 

More Reasons To Love 

- Doubles as a cleanser  

- Made with non-stripping agents  

- Easy application  

Conclusion

A face mask is an easy and economical way to get instant results for your skin. But that’s not all. A face mask also serves as a pick-me-up, helping you decompress and relax after a long week’s toil. Luckily, Foxtale carries three exceptional face masks that will elevate your self-care sesh while granting a gorgeous glow to your skin. Pick from our Overnight Glow Mask, Skin Radiance Mask, and Purify and Glow Mask to get skin transformation from the comfort of your home. 

 FAQs

1. Should I moisturize after using a face mask

 Yes. Even though your face may feel extremely moisturized – a rich face cream can help lock the water content for prolonged periods. 

2. Can I use a face mask everyday?

We recommend using a face mask 2 to 3 times weekly.

3. How to apply a face mask?

After thoroughly cleansing your face, apply a thin layer of the face mask of your choice. If you are opting for Purify & Glow Mask, rinse in 5 minutes. Alternatively, for the Skin Radiance Mask, rinse within 10 minutes of application.

4. How to use the Overnight Glow Mask?

Foxtale’s Overnight Glow Mask grants you a radiant glow when you’re busy counting sheep. On a thoroughly cleansed face, apply 2 to 3 pumps of the Overnight Glow Mask. Follow it with your nighttime moisturizer and wake up to the skin of your dreams.

5. What is the best face mask for glowing skin?

Try Foxtale’s Overnight Glow Mask to achieve a long-lasting glow overnight. The formulation carries meticulous yet gentle exfoliants like Lactic, Glycolic and Mandelic Acids that buff away build-up to reveal a smooth, bright surface. 

6. I have oily skin? What is the best face mask for me?

Try the Skin Radiance Mask to keep the excess oil at bay. The formulation carries Lactic Acid, Brazilian, and Kaolin Clay that blots gunk and sebum in 10 minutes! Results? An oil-free, long-lasting glow. 

After a long, tedious day at work, have you ever looked at yourself and said, “Ahh! What do I do to get rid of this dull skin?” Dull, lifeless skin is a common concern for people of all ages and gender. Not only does it impact our mood, but it also makes us lose confidence. So, to answer your most asked question, we have curated an easy routine that you can use anytime to revive dull skin. Check it out now.

Reasons you may experience dull skin

Before diving into how you can take care of dull skin, you must know what causes it in the first place. Here are some of the common reasons:

• Due to pollution, and dirt, the top layer of your skin, that you can see, can have too much build-up and that’s what results in dull skin.
• As you age, your skin’s cell regeneration process slows down and this results in loss of collagen production, which may make your skin look dull.
• If you have dehydrated skin that lacks moisture, it may appear dry, dull, and pale. Dehydrated skin could also be the result of excessive smoking.
• Frequent worrying about things can be a huge bummer for your skin as it reduces blood flow to your skin, making it look less lively.
• If you suffer from insomnia and skimp on sleep, its results can easily appear on your skin, making it look dry, dull and uneven.

The perfect 5 step routine to instantly revive dull skin

1. Make double cleansing your bestie

If you only cleanse your skin once at night and complain about having dull skin, then you have to try double cleansing! In double cleansing, you use a balm/oil cleanser as the first step and then a gel/foam cleanser as your second step.

Without proper cleansing, the pores remain blocked which further weighs down your skin and your complexion looks dull. Incorporate our Daily Duet Face Wash in your routine to eliminate all the toxins through your pores. It effectively cleanses your skin without stripping the natural oils off your face and is suitable for all skin types!

2. Use a face mask to wipe out the impurities

The easiest way to make your skin look brighter is by using a face mask! Everyone has that one face mask that they can rely on to take care of their dull skin. If you haven’t found one, just DIY it! Take some Fuller’s earth (Multani mitti), mix in some water and apply the paste for 10 mins.

Pro tip: If you have had an extremely frantic day, take nice and relaxing steam before and while you apply the face mask. It’s sure to calm your nerves!

3. Start your skincare routine with a hydrating serum

Dull skin can be the result of dehydrated and parched skin, so using a hydrating toner and a serum after cleansing can be game-changing. Use serums that comprise hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, Peptides, etc.

Incorporate a Vitamin C serum in your daily skincare routine to bring that dull skin back to life. Since this ingredient alone can fight free radicals and wrinkles, you won’t have to whine over dullness.

4. Make moisturization your mantra

No matter what skin type you have, you just cannot skip over moisturizer. In fact, no skincare routine is ever complete without it. Using a barrier repair moisturizer like our Ceramide Supercream twice, every day is like a Skin-vestment. It keeps your skin barrier healthy, which instantly makes your skin from dull to daisy!

5. Finish it up with SPF in daytime

Most skincare and beauty enthusiasts who keep up with the trends have heard of “glass skin”. It is the hydrating skincare technique introduced in K-Beauty. The method has inspired many different products available in the market today. Achieving glass-like reflective and radiant skin, irrespective of the skin tone is the new trend in the beauty world.

Unlike the Korean skin tone, Asians and Indians have more colour- golden and shades of brown are the normal skin tone in this part of the world. The pristine perfection of glass skin on women of colour appears like liquid gold and hence the name. Let us delve further into understanding the concept and how to achieve this perfection.

What is liquid gold skin exactly?

The glass skin trend lacks representation from various parts of the world. Thus, many often believe that reflective radiance is not suited for brown or yellow-toned skin. But on the contrary, the trend is suitable for all and among women of colour, the radiance is quite similar to liquid gold.

When you look for glass skin, the trend is usually portrayed through lighter skin tone hence, it may be difficult to understand how it may appear on women of colour. This is where the concept of liquid gold skin comes into play. It is much more attainable and alluring among women of colour.

Best way to achieve that 'liquid gold skin'

The glass skin trend is a result of an elaborate eight-step skincare routine. However, achieving liquid gold skin is a much more sustainable process. Though it is often said that a 45 to a 60-minute skincare routine is needed to achieve such radiance, there are ways to make the process simpler and more practical. Here are the steps you can follow to achieve that “liquid gold skin”:

1.Begin with Exfoliation

Exfoliation is the first step towards making your skin smooth and all prepped up for the next steps. Depending on your skin type, facial masking or chemical exfoliation are ideal ways to prep the skin. Face shaving also removes dead skin cells to some extent and also smooths the skin further.

We have shared some tips and benefits of Face shaving in this article here: Decoding Face Shaving & Dermaplaning: How are they different? be insightful to create a holistic skincare regime at home. 

2.Make way for antioxidants 

Antioxidants are food for the skin that keeps it hydrated and protected from free radicals. The darker skin tones are more prone to dryness thus including a product that has antioxidants give the perfect boost to your skin. Vitamin C is a good source of antioxidants for your skin. Include our oh so lovely C For Yourself Vitamin C serum and achieve the liquid gold perfection.

3.Go all-in with hydration

Layering hydrating products not only improves the overall health of the skin but also helps you achieve that liquid gold skin. Hence, follow a simple routine that includes hydrating toners, serums, and moisturizers one after the other.

A great choice to make sure skin stays hydrated for a long time is using our Ceramide Supercream twice, daily. It is a superb moisturizer for daily use that keeps your skin soft and supple and your skin barrier healthy! 

4.Focus on specific ingredients

It is important to consider your skincare ingredients when you are following a skincare routine. Understanding your skin type is the first step towards selecting products for skincare.

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most versatile ingredients that are very suitable for melanin-rich skin. It hydrates and helps to prevent aging. Similarly, Ceramides are the building blocks of your skin that help to retain the lustre and structure. Niacinamide or Vitamin B3 is also popular for melanin-rich skin as it prevents ehydration. Few more ingredients like olive oil, rosehip oil and peptides are elemental nutrition for the coloured skin. 

5.Healthy skin is happy skin

Apart from topical application, specific attention to diet and lifestyle can make a significant difference to your skin health. Drinking sufficient amounts of water and indulging in a healthy and balanced diet is the key to healthy and happy skin. Practice facial massage routines or use a Gua sha to retain the suppleness of your skin. 

Here is a detailed guide on Face tools like Gua sha and Jade rollers and how to use them the right way: Skin tools to help you de-puff and de-stress.

6.Make SPF your best buddy

Using a sunscreen or SPF-induced product is a must even for melanin-rich skin. Unlike the myth that brown people do not need SPF, it is an essential item for everyone irrespective of skin type or weather. A good quality sunscreen with high SPF is the best way to prevent external damage. Our CoverUp Sunscreen is your best bet when it comes to choosing an appropriate sunscreen. It not only protects your skin from sun damage but also from the harmful pollution and blue lights emitted from the skin.

If you are maintaining all these things daily, your skin will eventually recover and you can get that liquid gold glow that is so much coveted all over the world.