Kaya Empire is an influencer with a degree in chemical engineering. Her passions include beauty, skincare and wellness. She posts videos about skincare routines, chemistry-based skincare videos, beauty talk and self care discussions every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. She is also the cofounder of Musée Beauty, a makeup brand inspired by art history.
Her Campus: In regards to cold weather, what kind of cleanser do you recommend?
Kaya Empire: I personally like switching to a cream cleanser because they tend to be more gentle and less drying. I’ve been loving the Fenty Skin Total Cleanser lately!
HC: How often should people moisturize? More than usual? Or should they just use a more concentrated moisturizer?
KE: There really is no one-size-fits-all with skincare. I will say that, generally, you’ll need to moisturize more or switch to a heavier moisturizer in colder months. This all depends on how your skin is feeling. If you wake up in the morning with parched, dry skin, I would definitely say that switching to a richer, thicker moisturizer could help. If your skin feels fine, there’s no need to add anything extra to your routine.
HC: Do you change the serums you use when the season changes?
KE: The ingredients you use don’t necessarily need to change, but the frequency you use certain ingredients may need to change. For example, retinol tends to cause flaking and dryness, so scaling back retinol use in the winter could be helpful. Conversely, increasing the frequency of which you use hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and urea, will help to combat winter dryness.
HC: I noticed that you use oils in your routine. Are there any you recommend for this season that won’t clog pores and are good for people with oily skin?
KE: Oils can be a wonderful addition to anyone’s skincare routine, even someone with oily skin. Rosehip seed oil and squalane are pretty universal oils that work for a variety of skin types. Good Molecules makes a great rosehip seed oil that’s very affordable. For a more luxury facial oil that’s good for oily skin, I’ve really enjoyed the Herbivore Botanicals Emerald Oil. Contrary to popular belief, many skincare oils don’t feel greasy or heavy. In fact, a lot of skincare oils feel quite lightweight!
HC: Do you recommend that people still wear sunscreen even though it’s cold out?
KE: Yes, a thousand times yes. The UV rays emitted from the sun are still as strong as ever when it’s cold outside, so it’s critical to keep wearing sunscreen. Finding your perfect sunscreen is well worth the investment because UV damage causes significant wrinkles and skin sagging and increases your chances of developing cancer. Some great sunscreens for dry skin include Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream and Krave Beauty Beet Shield. For oily skin, you can’t go wrong with the Missha Essence Sun Milk. Remember to apply a lot of sunscreen and reapply throughout the day. If all else fails, seek shade or wear a big hat and sunglasses!
HC: Any other skincare tips/recommendations for readers this fall?
KE: Listen to your skin! If your skin is telling you, “I’m feeling really dry and itchy,” then pay attention to that and supplement your skincare routine with what your skin needs. The changing seasons means your skin is changing as well, due to weather, allergies, stress, etc. You always need to be in tune with your skin’s needs to maintain healthy skin!
I will definitely be listening to my skin as the cool weather rolls in, and hopefully, you will too! For more skincare content, be sure to follow and subscribe to Kaya Empire on the social media platforms below!
Email: kayaempirebusiness@gmail.com