Keeping your skin healthy and fresh does not require an extensive collection of skincare products. Whether it is winter or summer, following four basic steps, commonly known as the CTML routine, may be enough to maintain healthy skin throughout the year.
As winter approaches, dry and tight skin becomes a familiar concern. Many people turn to serums, ampoules, petroleum jelly, heavy moisturizers, olive oil, and almond oil to protect their skin from dryness.
However, instead of layering multiple products, a growing skincare approach known as 'skinimalism' encourages people to simplify their routines. The idea is to meet the skin's basic needs with fewer products rather than overwhelming it with unnecessary ingredients.
But is a minimal skincare routine enough to protect the skin during the colder months?
According to Sharmin Kochi, chief beauty expert at Bindia Exclusive Beauty Care, skinimalism is not merely a passing trend but a universal and healthy approach to skincare.
With social media promotions encouraging increasingly complicated eight-to-10-step routines, many people have become accustomed to using numerous skincare products. However, maintaining healthy and fresh skin does not necessarily require so many steps.
Whether in winter or summer, following four basic steps, known as CTML, can help maintain skin health throughout the year.
The four steps of the CTML routine are:
C – Cleansing
Keeping the skin clean is the first step towards maintaining its health. During winter, dirt, dust, and dead skin cells can accumulate on the skin. At this time, oil-based cleansers may be a better option than foaming cleansers.
Double cleansing can also be considered. The process involves first massaging the face with an oil-based cleanser to loosen dirt and impurities, followed by washing with a gel-based or water-based face wash.
T – Toning
Rather than applying moisturizer immediately after washing the face, using a toner can be part of the routine. According to Kochi, a toner helps maintain the skin's pH balance and keeps it soft and refreshed. She recommends water-based toners as a suitable option for Bangladesh's climate.
M – Moisturizing
After toning, applying a moisturizer suited to one's skin type helps retain moisture and prevent dryness. Choosing the right formulation is particularly important during winter, when the skin tends to lose moisture more quickly.
L – Lip care
The thin skin on the lips is also exposed to cold and dry weather, making it prone to moisture loss and cracking. Regularly applying lip balm or lip gel helps keep the lips moisturized and prevents them from becoming excessively dry.
Choosing products according to skin type
Even with a minimal skincare routine, selecting products according to individual skin types remains important, Kochi said.
Oily and sensitive skin: Heavy or oil-based creams may clog pores and aggravate acne in people with oily skin. Lightweight, water-based gel moisturizers are generally a better choice. Those with acne or melasma should also use sunscreen regularly. Oil-free or powder-based sunscreen formulations may be suitable options.
Dry skin: Dry skin loses moisture more quickly during winter and therefore requires additional care. Cream-based or oil-based moisturizers containing nourishing ingredients can help protect the skin and maintain hydration.
Combination skin: People with combination skin should avoid excessively heavy skincare products. Lightweight, water-based moisturizers can help maintain a balance between oil and moisture, keeping the skin comfortable and refreshed.
Why sunscreen remains important in winter
Many people forget to apply sunscreen during winter, assuming that the mild sunlight poses little risk to their skin. However, Kochi emphasizes that sunscreen is not a seasonal skincare product.
Even when the sun does not feel particularly strong, exposure to sunlight can still affect the skin.
She also notes that prolonged exposure to heat from kitchen stoves may contribute to pigmentation and dark spots. Therefore, using sunscreen with SPF 30+ to 50+ during winter is important, depending on sun exposure and individual needs.
Prepare your skin before winter arrives
Rather than waiting until winter is in full swing to change skincare habits, starting early can help protect the skin from seasonal dryness, Kochi said.
Maintaining a consistent routine of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing before the weather becomes particularly dry can help preserve the skin's moisture. This may reduce the chances of the skin becoming rough, flaky, or uncomfortable during colder days.
Instead of overwhelming the skin with unnecessary products, a simple and consistent routine using a few suitable essentials can help keep it healthy, soft and fresh throughout winter.