As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, our skin—much like the rest of nature—begins to shift. Cooler temperatures and lower humidity mean less natural oil production, leaving the skin more vulnerable to dryness, tightness, and irritation. Supporting your skin through these changes starts with one essential ingredient: lipids.
What Are Lipids, and Why Do They Matter?
Lipids are the natural fats and oils that make up the outermost layer of the skin, known as the lipid barrier. This barrier locks in hydration, protects against environmental stressors, and keeps your complexion soft and resilient.
When seasonal shifts or over-exfoliation deplete this layer, the skin can become dehydrated, sensitized, or dull. Replenishing lipids through skincare—especially facial oils and nourishing cleansers—restores harmony and helps your skin maintain balance even in dry, cold air. No matter the skin type or condition, there is a suitable oil!
Why Oils Are Essential Allies in Cold Weather
During fall and winter, the skin’s natural oil (sebum) production slows. Indoor heating and cold air can further dehydrate the surface. Oils help fill that gap by protecting and sealing in hydration while maintaining flexibility and comfort.
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Oil cleansers dissolve makeup and impurities without stripping, leaving the barrier intact and comforted.
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Facial oils provide essential fatty acids and antioxidants that reinforce the skin’s protective layer, calm inflammation, and give the complexion a supple glow.
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Barrier oils with ceramides, squalane, or jojoba mimic the skin’s natural sebum to support long-term moisture retention and resilience.
Lipids also work synergistically with humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which draw in water to the skin. Think of humectants as the hydration source and lipids as the seal that keeps that hydration from escaping. Together they form the foundation of balanced, radiant skin.
Skin Science Spotlight: Lipids + Humectants = Hydration Harmony
While often used interchangeably, moisture and hydration serve different functions within the skin. At the most basic level, our skin is a balance of oil and water. Humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, attract water from the environment and deeper skin layers to increase hydration within the epidermis. Lipids, including ceramides, squalane, and natural oils, provide moisture by reinforcing the skin’s barrier and sealing in that hydration.
When paired together, humectants and lipids create the optimal balance of water and oil, keeping the skin plump, smooth, and resilient even in cold, dry conditions.
Choosing the Right Oils for Your Skin Type
Not all oils are created equal. Each blend carries its own unique ratio of fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, making it better suited for specific skin types and concerns.
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Dry or Mature Skin: Deeply nourishing oils are essential for restoring elasticity and comfort.
Try: Marie Veronique Rejuvenating Night Oil — a luxurious evening blend rich in Evening Primrose Oil (gamma-linolenic acid), Argan Oil, Kiwi Seed Oil, and Blackberry Seed Oil. Together they deliver essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and natural vitamin C to soften, repair, and rejuvenate skin overnight. -
Sensitive or Compromised Skin: Barrier-supporting oils help calm and strengthen delicate or reactive complexions.
Try: Marie Veronique Barrier Lipid Complex — formulated with ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids from cranberry, black raspberry, chia, evening primrose, and prickly pear seed oils. It helps rebuild the lipid barrier, lock in hydration, and restore a healthy balance to sensitive skin. -
Oily or Congested Skin: Lightweight, balancing oils regulate sebum and reduce inflammation without clogging pores.
Try: Marie Veronique Treatment Oil — powered by Argan Oil, Borage Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Willow Bark Extract. This clarifying formula soothes active breakouts, supports barrier integrity, and refines texture for clearer, calmer skin.
At Periidot, I carefully select oils that are cold-pressed, sustainably sourced, passed through rigorous testing to ensure purity, and clinically proven to support barrier health. Each formula is chosen for its ability to absorb beautifully and leave the skin nourished—not greasy.
Incorporating Oils Into Your Skincare Routine
Facial oils can easily complement your existing skincare ritual and enhance the performance of other products. Depending on the oil’s level of occlusivity and the consistency of your formulas, layering order can vary slightly.
As a general guideline, apply your oil after serum and moisturizer while the skin is still damp. This helps seal in hydration and maintain a supple, balanced complexion. Some skin types will benefit from an oil prior to moisturizer, but what is listed above is a general rule.
To integrate oils effectively:
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Always apply to damp skin to help lock in hydration.
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If your skin isn’t damp after serum and moisturizer, mist with toner or essence before applying oil.
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You only need 3–5 drops warmed between your palms to treat the entire face, neck, and décolleté. Rub between palms and press over the skin.
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If you’re unsure of an oil’s occlusivity or prefer a simplified step, mix a few drops directly into your moisturizer for a customized blend of hydration and moisture.
This simple addition can transform your skincare routine, enhancing softness, barrier strength, and an overall healthy glow.
A Seasonal Reminder
As we move deeper into the colder months, remember that your skin’s needs evolve just as nature does. Oils provide more than moisture; they represent nourishment, protection, and the art of slowing down.
✨ Book your next facial ritual and let’s create a personalized winter care plan to strengthen and restore your skin’s barrier. Or share the gift of self-care this season with a Periidot gift card—a thoughtful way to give warmth and renewal.
