Baby, it’s cold outside. Snowmen, hot chocolate, and cuddling up by the fire are great and all, but winter takes a major toll on your skin. Between the frigid temperatures, the north wind, and the heat blasting indoors, don’t be surprised if your face ends up looking dry and dull. There are some simple steps to take, though, to keep your skin looking fresh and glowing until spring.
Add moisture.
If there’s one thing you change about your skincare for winter, make it this one. All the environmental factors cause dryness, so you need to add moisture to combat it. You may need to switch to a richer moisturizer, or you could just add a pre-moisturizer serum or a few drops of facial oil to your regular moisturizer. Hylauronic acid is a great ingredient to look for to amp up the moisture factor.
Drink extra water.
Summer’s hot temperatures make you gulp water constantly, but it can be harder to keep up your water intake in the winter. Drink an extra glass or two to hydrate from the inside out and keep your skin plump and soft.
Buy a humidifier.
Have you noticed your hair and clothes feeling static-y? That’s a sign the air in your home is particularly dry, which certainly doesn’t help your skin. Consider purchasing a humidifier to run during the winter to keep some moisture in the air.
Exfoliate less.
If you have dry, flaky, dull skin, it might seem logical to grab your strongest exfoliant and try to slough it off. DON’T. This can actually end up having the reverse effect and worsening the problem. You can still exfoliate during the winter, but back off a little and do it less often than you would in the summer.
Keep showers lukewarm.
Few things feel better than jumping into a steaming hot shower on a cold day, but try your best to resist. That searing heat is incredibly drying to your skin; you’re much better off sticking to a lukewarm shower and lathering on the lotion afterward.
Keep hand cream handy.
I don’t know about you, but my hands dry out faster than anything in the winter. I’m not great about wearing gloves so they’re always exposed to the cold and the wind. Keeping hand cream readily available will help keep your hands soft – throw one in your purse or diaper bag to use while you’re out running errands.
Find a good lip balm.
Like your hands, your lips are exposed to the elements often. Find a good, thick lip balm to keep them from chapping out in the cold. I’m a Carmex addict, but there are plenty of good options!
Don’t skip the SPF.
Cloudy, bleak winter days may make you think you can ditch the sunscreen until warmer weather returns, but don’t be fooled. UV rays can pass through the clouds, and the snow on the ground can intensify them. Find a good SPF and apply it daily; skin damage doesn’t look good on anyone.
What’s your favorite way to stay dewy all winter long?
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