The skin below your chin: why winter calls for a different approach
Most of us have a considered routine for our face.
Cleanser, serum, moisturiser ~ sometimes SPF, eye cream + a weekly masque. It’s easy to think about the skin on our face.
But the skin on our body? That often gets a quick pass with whatever’s in the bathroom, if anything at all.
And in summer we might get away with it. But winter is different. The cold air, the indoor heating, the longer hot showers ~ they all quietly work against your skin's ability to hold moisture, maintain its barrier + stay healthy. And because the skin on our body is largely covered up, it can be weeks before we notice the tightness, the dullness, + the flaking at the elbows + shins.
The skin below your chin deserves the same care as your face. Especially in winter.
What winter actually does to your skin
It helps to understand what's happening at a skin level, because it's more than just surface dryness.
Your skin's outermost layer ~ the stratum corneum ~ acts as a protective barrier, keeping moisture in + environmental stressors out. This barrier is made up largely of skin cells held together by lipids, including ceramides. Ceramides make up around 50% of the skin's barrier structure. They're essentially what keeps your skin from losing moisture to the air around you.
In winter, several things happen at once:
- Cold, dry air outside draws moisture from the skin faster than it can be replaced.
- Indoor heating lowers the humidity in your home + office, which continues drawing moisture from your skin even when you're warm.
- Hot showers ~ an understandable winter habit ~ strip the skin's natural oils + disrupt the lipid barrier further.
- Ceramide depletion accelerates. As the barrier weakens, skin loses its ability to retain hydration, leading to dryness, tightness, sensitivity + dullness.
For your face, you likely already reach for richer products, add a hydrating serum, or switch up your routine. But the skin on your body is exposed to all the same conditions, over a much larger surface area, + is often not supported the way it needs.
Why the skin on your body is different (+ why it matters)
The skin on your body has fewer sebaceous (oil-producing) glands than facial skin, which means it's naturally less equipped to moisturise itself. Areas like the lower legs, shins, elbows + décolletage are particularly vulnerable because they have even lower oil gland density.
Body skin also tends to be thicker than facial skin ~ but that doesn't mean it's tougher. It still relies on the same ceramide-rich lipid barrier to function, the same collagen networks for structure + elasticity, and the same careful balance of hydration to stay healthy.
When the barrier is compromised, skin becomes reactive: more easily irritated, more prone to sensitivity + more visibly aged. It can feel rough, look dull, + in time, fine lines + crepey texture become more noticeable.
Winter accelerates all of this. Which is why what you put on your body in the colder months genuinely matters.
Why a body serum is not the same as your usual body cream
If you've reached for a standard body lotion or cream from the supermarket + found it works for a few hours before your skin feels dry again ~ this is likely why.
Most everyday body moisturisers sit on the surface of the skin. They provide temporary relief from dryness, but they don't actively support the skin's barrier function or address the underlying depletion happening in winter.
A well-formulated body serum works differently. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly + deeply ~ delivering active ingredients where they can actually work, rather than forming a temporary film on top.
Our Collagen Ceramide+ Body Serum was formulated specifically with this in mind. Here's what's in it + why each ingredient earns its place:
Triple Ceramide Complex (Ceramide EOP, NP + AP)
Three ceramide types ~ the same naturally-occurring lipids that make up your skin's barrier. Together, they help replenish what winter depletes: restoring moisture retention, repairing the barrier + reducing sensitivity from the inside of the skin structure out. We explore ceramides in more depth here.
Pure Peptide Marine Collagen
Supports collagen production in the skin + replenishes natural collagen stores, helping skin stay supple, smooth + structurally strong. Our body skin loses collagen as we age ~ just as our face does ~ and topical marine collagen is a meaningful way to support that from the outside, alongside your daily Adashiko Collagen Powder ritual from within.
Hyaluronate Sodium (Hyaluronic Acid)
A water-binding ingredient that draws moisture into the skin + holds it there ~ giving a plump, smooth appearance that lasts. Unlike surface moisturisers, it works at a deeper level to increase hydration that withstands winter conditions.
AHA / Glycolic Acid
A gentle exfoliant that smooths + brightens by encouraging the shedding of dull, dry surface cells. Particularly relevant in winter, when cell turnover can slow + skin can look lacklustre. It also helps the other active ingredients absorb more effectively.
Vitamin E, Shea Butter + Licorice Extract
Antioxidant protection, deep nourishment + calming + brightening support for all skin types ~ including sensitive skin that becomes more reactive in cold weather.
The result is 72 hours of deep hydration ~ even after showering ~ which is notably different from what a standard body cream can offer.
Inside + out: the full-body approach
The skin on your body is supported not just by what you apply topically, but by what you nourish from within. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin ~ providing structure, elasticity + strength. And while our body serum delivers topical collagen peptides directly to the skin's surface, your daily Adashiko Collagen Powder supports new collagen production from the inside.
True skin health starts from within ~ here’s why skincare alone often isn’t enough. The two work beautifully together ~ especially in winter, when both your skin barrier + your natural collagen production need extra support.
How to use it: a simple winter body ritual
For best results, apply the Collagen Ceramide+ Body Serum twice daily ~ morning + evening ~ all over your body. The ultra-lightweight serum texture absorbs fast with no sticky residue, making it easy to use before dressing.
A few moments of warmth that your skin will feel for the rest of the day.
The skin below your chin deserves the same consideration as your face.
An intentional routine doesn't have to be complicated ~ but in winter, it does need to go beyond the basics.
Discover our Collagen Ceramide+ Body Serum ~ formulated to nourish, protect + deeply hydrate the skin on your body through every season.
