If you live in Alberta, you know the feeling. It's -25°C outside, the furnace is running full tilt, and by mid-November your face feels tight, flaky and two sizes too small. Add a cleanser that leaves you "squeaky clean," and you've got a recipe for unhappy winter skin.
Here's the thing we wish more people knew: squeaky clean is not the goal. Especially not in a Canadian winter.
Why winter is so hard on skin
The Canadian Dermatology Association says cold weather is the most common cause of dry skin. Low humidity outside and dry, forced-air heat inside both pull moisture from your skin. The CDA describes your skin barrier like a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks and natural oils are the mortar. When that mortar gets stripped away, moisture escapes and irritation creeps in.
And what strips it fastest? Hot water and harsh, high-pH cleansers. The CDA recommends steering clear of high-pH soap bars, keeping water warm instead of hot, and patting skin dry rather than rubbing. CBC News shared similar advice from experts: be gentle, skip the scalding water and lock moisture in right after washing.
Midlife skin needs extra gentleness
If you're in perimenopause or menopause, you may have noticed your skin acting differently. Chatelaine notes that hormonal changes can leave skin thinner and drier. Put that together with a prairie winter and you get skin that's begging for a lighter touch.
That's where we come in, with something wonderfully simple.
Meet Remove It: just add water
Remove It is our very own reusable makeup removing cloth, and it's one of those products customers come back for again and again. It's made from super-soft microfibre that lifts away makeup, dirt and the day using only water.
- No harsh cleansers. Nothing to strip your skin's natural oils, which matters most when winter is already working against you.
- Gentle on sensitive skin. Soft, hypoallergenic microfibre means no scrubbing and no sting.
- It really does take it all off. Foundation, mascara, even that "long-wear" liner. Wet it with warm water, wipe gently, and done.
- Reusable and eco-friendly. Toss it in the wash and use it again and again. No more cotton pads or makeup wipes piling up in the bin.
- Canadian. One of our own in-house brands, from our small Canadian business to your bathroom counter.
A winter-friendly evening routine
- Wet your Remove It cloth with warm (not hot) water and wring it out.
- Gently wipe away makeup in soft, circular motions. Let the cloth do the work.
- Pat your face dry. No rubbing.
- Moisturize right away while your skin is still a little damp, to lock in hydration.
- Rinse your cloth and hang it to dry. Pop it in the laundry when it needs a refresh.
Bonus tip from our stores: a humidifier in your bedroom does wonders for skin (and sleep) all winter long. The CDA recommends one too.
Find your colour
Remove It cloths come in a whole range of pretty shades. Some favourites:
- Black: the original, and it hides every trace of mascara.
- Plum: rich, deep and quietly luxurious.
- White: for the minimalist who loves a clean slate.
- Pink: a little blush on your bathroom counter.
Want the full spa-night treatment? Our Remove It Cloth + Quick Dry Hair Towel Combo Set pairs a cloth with our anti-frizz hair wrap. It's a stocking stuffer that feels like a real gift.
The best things are often the simplest
Your skin already knows how to take care of itself. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do this winter is get out of its way. Skip the stripping, keep it soft, and let water do the work.
Find Remove It at all three of our Edmonton-area stores, or shop online. We ship across Canada and worldwide.
Stay soft out there,
The Cloud Nine Pajamas team
Have a skin condition, or skin that's red, cracked or painful? Please check in with your doctor or dermatologist.
