If your moisturizer feels like it stops working the moment you step outside into Estonia's winter air, you're not imagining it. When temperatures drop below zero and indoor heating runs constantly, your skin loses moisture faster than most products can replenish it. The result? That tight, uncomfortable feeling by midday. Flaky patches that makeup won't cover. Sometimes even stinging when you apply your usual products.
The problem isn't that you need more product, you need the right ingredients working together. Understanding which ingredients actually protect your skin barrier in Nordic winter conditions can transform your routine entirely.
Why Estonian winter is particularly harsh on skin
Our climate presents a unique challenge: constant swings between -10Ā°C outdoor air and heated indoor spaces where humidity drops to 20-30%. Your skin experiences this shock multiple times daily.
Indoor heating is particularly problematic. At such low humidity, the air actively pulls moisture from your skin's surfaceāa process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Add biting wind that strips natural oils, and your skin barrier begins to break down. Once compromised, even gentle products can sting.
The three-ingredient strategy
Dermatological research shows effective winter skincare requires three types of ingredients working together: humectants to draw moisture in, emollients to support barrier function, and occlusives to prevent water loss. Skip any one, and your skin struggles.
1. Hyaluronic Acid: your moisture magnet
What it actually is?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a humectant that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It's naturally found in your skin but depletes with age. Modern formulations contain different molecular weights: high molecular weight HA sits on skin's surface creating immediate plumping, while low molecular weight penetrates deeper for long-lasting hydration.
Why it's essential in winter?
HA creates a moisture reservoir in your skin, continuously releasing hydration throughout the day. But here's the catch: HA can worsen dryness if used incorrectly in low humidity. When there's no moisture in the air, HA pulls water from deeper skin layers insteadāexactly the opposite of what you want.
How to use it properly?
Apply to damp skin. After cleansing, leave your face slightly damp before applying HA serum. This gives the ingredient water to bind to.
Layer immediately. Within 60 seconds, seal it with a moisturizer containing occlusives. This traps the water and prevents evaporation.
Look for multi-molecular weight formulas that provide both immediate surface hydration and deeper effects.
The Vielƶ Hyaluronic Acid serum is specifically formulated with both high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to work at multiple skin depths. What makes it particularly effective for winter is that it also contains glycerin and betaine, giving you multiple humectants working together. At 93.2% certified organic, it delivers intensive hydration without synthetic ingredients that could further irritate winter-stressed skin.
2. Glycerin: the underrated winter hero
The humble powerhouse
Glycerin doesn't have the glamorous reputation of newer ingredients, but dermatologists have relied on it for over 150 years because it works exceptionally well, especially in low humidity environments.
Why it works in our climate?
Unlike many humectants that struggle when humidity drops, glycerin continues performing even in dry conditions. It not only attracts moisture but strengthens the skin barrier by supporting your skin's own natural moisturizing factors.
Studies show 5% glycerin can significantly improve skin hydration within one week. It's remarkably gentle and works consistently even when indoor air humidity is below 30% - making it perfect for heated spaces.
The glycerin advantage
Reliable performance: Works consistently even when air humidity is below 30%
Barrier support: Doesn't just hydrate, actively strengthens skin's protective layer
Universal compatibility: Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin
Proven safety: Decades of research confirm its effectiveness and gentleness
Both the Vielƶ serum and the Vielƶ Hyaluron facial night cream contain glycerin high in their ingredient lists, ensuring effective concentrations for winter hydration. The night cream combines glycerin with organic whey (deeply nourishing), rosehip oil, and wheat germ oil - creating a rich formula that works overnight when your skin does its heaviest repair work. The combination of glycerin and multiple botanical oils means moisture is both attracted to the skin and sealed in throughout the night.
3. Lipids: your skin barrier's building blocks
Understanding your barrier
Think of your skin barrier like a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks, and lipids are the mortar. Skin lipids include ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. In the optimal ratio (3:1:1), they form water-tight layers that prevent moisture loss.
Why winter destroys your lipids?
Estonian winter attacks your lipid barrier from multiple fronts: cold air strips natural oils, low humidity increases TEWL, indoor heating reduces ceramide production, and hot showers literally melt away surface lipids.
The result? A compromised barrier that can't retain the moisture you're adding with humectants.
The science of repair
When you apply topical lipids in their natural ratios, your skin incorporates them into the barrier structure. Clinical studies show proper lipid replenishment can reduce TEWL by 30% within two weeks and restore skin's ability to retain moisture.
Barrier repair takes 2-4 weeks, but once achieved, skin stops feeling tight, products no longer sting, and that constant need to reapply moisturizer diminishes.
The power of ceramides
Of all the lipid ingredients, ceramides deserve special attention. These are the most critical components of your skin's natural barrier, and they're exactly what winter conditions deplete most rapidly.
The ODEN Moisturizing face cream is formulated specifically with ceramide NP - the same type of ceramide naturally found in human skin. This isn't just any moisturizer; it's providing your skin with the actual building blocks it needs to repair barrier damage. Combined with squalane (which mimics skin's natural oils), hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and omega-rich plant oils from hemp, plum seed, chia, and evening primrose, it delivers comprehensive barrier support. The formula achieved an impressive 17.56/20 in Responsible Beauty Victory 2025-2026 testing, with clinical results showing 80% more moisture immediately after application.
What makes ceramide-rich creams particularly valuable for daytime is their ability to protect while you face harsh conditions. The ceramides actively work to prevent moisture loss as you move between heated indoor spaces and freezing outdoor air.
The Vielƶ Hyaluron facial night cream takes a different approach to lipid replenishment, focusing on organic oils and beeswax. With rosehip, wheat germ, evening primrose, and shea butter, it provides intensive lipid support while you sleep. The rich texture is ideal for overnight repair when your skin isn't exposed to environmental stressors.
How These Three Work Together?
Now you understand why you need all three:
- Hyaluronic acid pulls water in and holds it, but only if properly sealed.
- Glycerin continues attracting moisture even in low humidity and supports natural hydration.
- Lipids create the protective seal that prevents moisture from evaporating while repairing the barrier.
Using only humectants without lipids is like pouring water into a leaky bucket. You need the complete system.
Your Estonian winter layering strategy
Here's how to use all three products for maximum effectiveness:
Morning Routine:
- Cleanse with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser
- While skin is still damp, apply 2-3 drops of Vielƶ Hyaluronic serum, patting gently into skin
- Immediately (within 60 seconds) seal with ODEN Moisturizing Cream - its ceramides protect your barrier throughout the day
- Apply SPF (yes, even in winter - snow reflects UV)
Evening Routine:
- Remove makeup/sunscreen with oil-based cleanser
- Follow with gentle water-based cleanser
- Apply Vielƶ Hyaluron Serum to damp skin (same technique)
- Seal with Vielƶ
Hyaluron facial night cream - the richer formula provides intensive overnight repair
- The combination of HA, glycerin, and multiple botanical oils works while you sleep
Why this routine works:
Ā The serum delivers both HA and glycerin morning and night. The ODEN cream's ceramides protect during the day's harsh conditions, while the Vielƶ night cream's richer oils provide deeper repair overnight when skin regenerates most actively.
The key is speed - don't let layers dry completely between applications. This "moist layering" technique maximizes hydration while minimizing TEWL.
Common mistakes that make winter skin worse
Even with the right ingredients, technique matters:
- Applying HA to completely dry skin forces it to pull moisture from deeper layers
- Skipping the occlusive layer - humectants evaporate quickly in heated air
- Over-cleansing - washing more than twice daily strips lipids faster than you can replace them
- Hot showers - water above 40Ā°C damages barriers (use lukewarm)
- Waiting too long between layers - apply next product while previous is still damp
- Ignoring indoor humidity - consider a bedroom humidifier (aim for 40-50%)
What to look for on labels
For Hyaluronic Acid:
- Listed as "hyaluronic acid" or "sodium hyaluronate"
- "Multi-molecular weight" indicates better performance
- Should appear in first 5-7 ingredients for serums
For Glycerin:
- Listed as "glycerin" or "glycerol"
- Should appear in top 5 ingredients
- Often paired with other humectants
For Lipids:
- "Ceramides" (especially ceramide NP, 1, 3, 6-II)
- "Squalane" (excellent skin-identical lipid)
- Plant oils rich in fatty acids
- Rich texture usually indicates good lipid content
Avoid in winter: Alcohol denat, harsh sulfates, excessive essential oils
Making peace with Estonian winter
Winter in Estonia doesn't have to mean uncomfortable skin. When you understand which ingredients work in our climate and how to layer them properly, you can maintain healthy skin even through February's harshest days.
Give your routine 2-4 weeks for barrier repair to take effect. You'll notice skin that stays comfortable throughout the day, makeup that applies smoothly, and that tight, itchy feeling becoming a distant memory.
This isn't about buying more products, it's about using the right ingredients in the right way. A scientifically formulated serum paired with targeted day and night creams will serve you better than a bathroom full of products that don't address your barrier's actual needs.
Ready to give your skin what it needs this winter? Discover our complete winter skincare collection formulated with these essential ingredients to support your skin through Estonia's challenging climate.
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