Not looking forward to the dry and cracking skin that comes with winter weather?
You might be giddily anticipating festive celebrations or relaxing ski getaways. But, no one likes dealing with a chapped face that’s as unsightly as it is painful.
Winter skin woes don’t have to be as inevitable as the changing of the seasons.
Instead, you can get ahead of it now while the temperatures are just cooling down. That way you can have dewy, spring-time skin all year long.
You don’t even need the help of a dermatologist. With a few changes to your routine and some new products, you’ll be ready for the big chill.
Winter means cozy fires, fluffy snow, and family times. It can also mean blotchy, parched skin. Save face with these winter skin care tips.
1. Limit Hot Showers
It doesn’t seem fair that hot water is bad for winter skin. Nothing feels better than a steamy shower on a chilly morning.
However, the unfortunate truth is that it sucks the moisture right out of your skin and hair.
You don’t have to shock yourself awake with a freezing cold bath. But, you should keep the water at a lukewarm temperature. The same goes for when you’re washing your hands and face by the sink.
2. Moisturize Damp Skin
Do you moisturize your face and body religiously, but still get dry skin? The problem could be when you apply it.
The best time to moisturize is when you’re still damp after bathing. The lotion or cream traps that excess H20 and holds it in your skin. You’re getting an extra dose of hydration than you would if you applied it to dry skin.
3. Exfoliate Less
There are mixed opinions on whether you should exfoliate more or less during the winter.
On the one hand, your skin is flakier than usual and exfoliating buffs off that dead skin. However, exfoliating can further irritate dry and blotchy skin.
What’s a gal to do?
That depends on you. If your skin is very sensitive, ease up on exfoliating. Maybe just give your skin a gentle scrub with water and a rough facecloth once a week.
4. Get a Humidifier
Everyone should have a humidifier in their bedroom. That’s especially true if you wake up with an itchy throat or nose. That means the air you’re sleeping in is especially dry.
When the air around you is dry, it will dry out your skin too.
Another way to keep the air in your home moist is to turn down the thermostat. Hot air has the same effect as hot water.
5. Avoid Products with Skin Irritants
When it’s cold out, your skin is extra sensitive. Anything that irritates your skin in the summer will affect you more in the winter.
Skin products with fragrances can be rough on skin. Alcohol is also drying and irritating.
Lots of products contain some kind of alcohol. But, you might want to reconsider using ones where it’s a main ingredient.
Limiting exposure to irritants is especially important for those with skin conditions. For example, if you have rosacea. Using triggering ingredients in the winter might cause a bigger outbreak than usual.
6. Don’t Ditch Your SPF
Just because it’s dark and grey outside doesn’t mean you can skip the SPF.
Looks don’t matter. If the sun is up, the sunscreen should be on. Exposure can damage the skin no matter what time of year it is.
Similarly, wear your sunglasses as you normally would in the summer. They protect both your eyes and the skin around it. You want to do everything you can to shield this delicate area from wrinkle-causing rays.
7. Use Moisturizing Face Masks
Get yourself an ultra-hydrating mask and use it once or twice a week. You could try a cream or opt for a sheet mask for easier removal.
Just be sure that you don’t get anything with charcoal which might dry your skin. Additionally, be careful of any masks that peel off. Those are likely to be tough on sensitive or irritated skin.
8. Get Winter Skin Products
Some face products that work wonders in the summer aren’t right for winter skin.
A light lotion might be all you need to stay hydrated when it’s warm. But, you probably need to switch to a thick, dense cream when it’s cold.
You might also want to consider trading your cleansers and exfoliators for gentler versions. One clue that you need a new winter cleanser is if after you wash, your skin feels tight. That feeling means it is drying out your skin.
9. Stay Hydrated
A key factor in keeping dry skin at bay is moisturizing from the outside and the inside.
Start by remembering to drink water throughout the day. It’s easy to slack on this in the winter time when you’re not hot or sweating as much.
Be extra careful to drink water during the holidays. All those parties mean more alcohol, which is very dehydrating. For every hot toddy or mulled wine, you should drink at least one glass of water to balance it out.
10. Moisturize While You Sleep
The 8 hours you spend sleeping are the perfect time to get in some extra hydration.
Go the old-fashioned route and slather a thick cream on your hands and feet, then seal it in with socks or gloves.
There’s also hydrating masks for your face and lips that you can leave on all night. Try it out once a week to wake up with glowing skin!
Start Using These Winter Skin Care Tips Now!
These 10 winter skin care tips will keep you looking soft and fresh all year. With a fully hydrated face, you’ll look younger and your make up will go on smoother.
Need to get some new winter weather skin products? Then check out our collection of moisturizers!