Keep Your Skin Looking Its Best During The Harsh Winter Weather
The cold, harsh winter can take a toll on even the healthiest of skin. During the colder months, we experience dryness, cracking, and irritation that all work together to reduce our natural glow. The good news is that we have the technology, specialists, and natural remedies that help us in our time of need. Follow this guide to winter skincare and you'll glow like it's summer, even in the coldest months!
Know Your Skin Type
It can be a good idea to visit a skincare specialist, who can help to confirm your skin type. When choosing your cleansing products and building your skin-care regimen, your decisions should be based on this information.
Whether it's oily, normal, dry/dehydrated, acne-prone, mature, or sensitive, learning your skin type can make all the difference when it comes to self-care during the winter months and year-round. Learning your skin type is where it all starts.
Moisturize Daily
This is an easy one that anyone can remember -- moisturize daily! The winter wind and cold temperature will dry out your pores and make for an uncomfortable season. Depending on your skin type, you'll want to find a moisturizing product with the appropriate ingredients.
Choose your moisturizer based on your skin's natural moisture and sensitivity levels. Oil-based lotions can be great for people with dry skin but will be too much for those who already have oily skin.
Don't Go Outside Without Gloves
During the winter, it's important to cover up your hands to prevent cracking between the fingers and stiff joints. The oil glands in your hands are limited, so they're especially susceptible to itchiness and dryness. This is an absolute must for anyone who struggles with psoriasis or eczema.
As a bonus, your hands will be warmer and more comfortable when you're wearing gloves. Many are now equipped with touchscreen capabilities, so you can go about your normal business in them.
Yes, You Need Sunscreen In Winter
Sunscreen is an important component when it comes to protecting your skin from developing cancer in the summer, but you might be wondering why you should wear it during the winter as well. It turns out that it's just as important to wear that SPF in cooler temperatures.
The winter sun can still damage your skin, even when you're not feeling its warmth. To help prevent premature aging and skin cancer, always wear sunscreen.
Keep Your Clothes Dry And Clean
It's important to leave the house with dry, clean clothes during the winter time. Your skin is more likely to crack and itch like crazy if you haven't done your laundry properly. This tip is important for all clothing items but is especially the case for gloves and socks.
Keeping your body parts warm will help your skin's oil-glands retain moisture and be less negatively affected by the cold weather conditions.
Soak In An Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal does wonders for the skin and you should take advantage of its properties during the winter months. Oatmeal has chemical elements that relieve the skin of itchy patches and dry spots, making it the ultimate moisturizer.
You'll notice a difference in the softness of your skin after just one bath. You can either buy a commercial product or you can make your own at home using good old fashioned oats.
Use Cleansing Milk
Cleansing milk won't just rid your skin of excess dirt and makeup, it will also provide a mild, natural lubricant for dry skin that's sensitive to the winter cold. Cleansing milk products are usually recommended for people with dry skin that is easily irritated and shouldn't necessarily be the go-to cleaner for anyone with oily skin.
After just a few uses, you're sure to notice a difference in how smooth and supple your skin feels.
Moisturize Your Feet
Like your hands, the oil glands in your feet can only do so much. Dry, clean socks aren't always enough to stop the moisture from escaping your toes, leading to itchy heels and dry cuticles.
Rub a generous amount of lotion on your feet after each shower during the wintertime and keep those piggies warm when the moisturizer sets! For extra moisture, some people use a heavy-duty moisturizing product overnight.
Exfoliate Your Skin Weekly
If you forget to exfoliate your skin, you'll never get rid of the dead cells blocking your pores from soaking up as much moisture as possible. Exfoliate once or twice a week to see cleaner, brighter skin and then moisturize to avoid irritation (if your skin is sensitive).
Exfoliating body washes are also essential for the winter months. Just don't overdo it and remember to moisturize right after your exfoliating treatment.
Avoid Skin Irritants
Sensitive skin can be easily affected by certain clothing materials and ingredients in cleansing and moisturizing products. It's best to use products with natural ingredients that are oil-based. Water-based products will only contribute to dryness and don't protect your skin from outside irritation.
If you're having trouble keeping your gloves and socks on during the winter because they irritate you, switch to products made with cotton or other natural materials.
Avoid Allergens
This one may be a bit obvious, but we can't stress enough how important it is to stay away from allergens that cause your body harm or discomfort. Skin that reacts to an allergen could develop hives, redness, and patchy areas that might eventually create scarring from itchiness and scratching.
During the winter your skin is more likely to react to any allergens that you come across. Try to keep things natural if your allergies are triggered.
Try Some DIY Masks
Who doesn't love a good DIY mask? Shopping for natural remedies beats spending money on expensive products at the store and you can mix and match ingredients until you find what's best for your skin type. For dry skin during the winter, we suggest an avocado-honey mask that will moisturize your face (and you can even use it on your body).
If you're not the DIY type, no worries! There are plenty of commercial products available.
Switch Out Your Toner
Toner is an important part of any skincare routine but it can become a real pain when it's cold and dry outside. Fortunately, there's a solution to this problem.
To continue using toner in the winter, we recommend substituting your Clean & Clear or other drying product for one that moisturizes instead. Vegan toners are less abrasive to the skin and still manage to balance your Ph levels after you've washed your face.
Buy Natural Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is the ultimate plant for skincare. The magical gel in its leaves has healing properties that can relieve almost any area of the skin, from irritation to a cut, and enhances the body's texture with natural ingredients.
Store-bought aloe sometimes contains additives that irritate the skin, so opting to go straight to the source is an excellent way to go! Not to mention, keeping a succulent garden can be a lot of fun and is a great stress reliever.
Pat Down Your Face After Washing
It might feel natural to wipe down your body and face after you've taken a shower but that doesn't make it the right thing to do. After you've cleansed, it's important to gently pat down your face and body to get dry.
Wiping eliminates water that your body is still trying to absorb, so gently pat yourself down and only take away the excess droplets left on the skin's surface.
Layer It Up
For anyone who struggles with acne or a similar skin problem, putting heavy creams and moisturizers on your face can be uncomfortable. To avoid the discomfort but still treat your skin during the winter, grab a liquid serum and a light-weight cream.
Put the serum on first and let your skin absorb its molecules, following with the cream to trap the hydration into your pores and keep your skin comfortable and moisturized.
Use Fragrance-Free Products
Skin products that are laced with fragrances often come with toxins and lots of unnecessary irritants. Sensitive skin reacts quite negatively to any unnatural scents and exposure can lead to breakouts, dryness or rashes.
Stick with fragrance-free products and you'll notice a difference in the texture of your skin during the winter. Today, there are many skincare companies that cater to people with sensitive skin, so it shouldn't be hard to locate fragrance-free products.
Try A Thermal Mist
Facial mists provide you with the opportunity to moisturize yourself without jumping in the shower. To achieve the best results when applying lotion you should start off with a damp base by lightly misting yourself. This way, you don't have to wait to apply body or face lotion until after you've showered.
As an added bonus, facial mists can be used to hydrate skin on-the-go, such as while traveling. Some high-end bottled water companies, such as Evian, make facial misting products.
Hydrate Your Insides
A healthy body can help lead to healthy, strong skin. Staying hydrated will moisturize skin naturally, from the inside, outside. This doesn't just apply to drinking water. Eating water-based fruit and vegetables will also hydrate your skin effectively.
According to Windsor Dermatology, "If you want to fight off wrinkles and give your outer layer a healthy glow, don't allow yourself to get dehydrated." Sounds like a pretty good reason to increase your water intake!
Pick Up A Humidifier
Humidifiers work wonders during the wintertime. To prevent your skin from drying out, set up a humidifier in your bedroom. By doing this, you'll release moisture in the air around you and help keep your skin hydrated.
You can also keep one in your office, living room, or any other place you spend a lot of time. Just be sure to keep your humidifier clean. You don't want any mildew building up.
Shower With Warm Water
We know it's tough to say no to a hot shower in the dead of winter but it's completely necessary if you don't want your body to lose all of its moisture. Hot water strips away the skin's natural oils and leaves you feeling dry.
Shower with lukewarm water instead, then soak up the warm air in your bedroom courtesy of your new humidifier. Be sure to pat yourself off gently when you're done -- don't want to lose all that moisture!
Moisturize Overnight
A long night's sleep is the perfect opportunity to give extra care to the dry areas of your body. Your feet and hands deserve some attention during the cold, winter nights, so slather them in lotion before putting on clothing that's cotton-based.
To really get the full benefits, after lotioning up you should wrap your hands and feet up in cotton gloves and socks to lock in the moisture. You won't believe how soft they'll be in the morning.
Switch To Alcohol-Free Soaps
Eliminating any alcohol-based cleansing products from your skincare routine can definitely help to make a world of difference. According to Everyday Health, alcohol can "disrupt your skin's barrier. A disrupted barrier allows moisture to escape skin and gives potential irritants entry in, resulting in redness and inflamed skin."
Face washes, hand sanitizers, and shampoos that contain alcohol will only further increase any dryness of your skin, so switching them out for sulfate-free options is the best game plan.
Rub Honey On Your Rough Edges
Honey may be the stickiest option we've presented to you but it'll certainly help to take care of the elephant skin on your knees and elbows. These are the two places on the human body that lose moisture the quickest and honey will fix that in an instant.
You can even use the honey directly on your skin, or you might opt to purchase a commercially-produced moisturizer containing it instead.
Soak In A Milk Bath
Cleopatra was known for her milk baths. The lactic acid in milk gave the Egyptian Queen silky smooth skin and an everlasting glow. In the winter take your cue from her, because bathing in milk can keep your skin hydrated and looking firm.
The milk can be in liquid or powdered form, just add it to warm (not hot) water in the bathtub. Bathing in milk can help with several skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin.
Buy Softer Sheets And Sleepwear
This tip may not be the most cost-effective but it's a reason to treat yourself. Investing in high-quality cotton sheets and new pajamas can help to prevent skin irritation and are just more comfortable in general. Fabrics that are tightly woven are more suited for people with sensitive skin.
Avnee Shah, MD, of The Dermatology Group, has this advice. "Look for 100% organic cotton, silk, or bamboo linen—think lightweight, smooth, and breathable to help reduce sweat and friction, two things that can further irritate eczema and sensitive skin."
Use Coconut Extract
Coconut extract contains chemical properties that are almost identical to the skin's natural fats. Gently swabbing coconut extract (or oil) across your dry, problem areas can help to repair your skin to its natural state.
Coconut oil is great for a variety of wintertime skin ailments and conditions. You can use it to heal and protect chapped lips, moisturize dry hair, and it's even a good and natural makeup remover.
Take Care Of Your Lips
Your delicate lips can easily fall victim to the winter cold and many people experience uncomfortable dehydration and cracking around their mouths during the cooler months. Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, explains that "lips dry out 10 times faster than the rest of the skin on our face, so it's really important to use extra protection."
To combat chapped lips, stop licking them which can dry them out further. Use a lip balm that's ointment-based and avoid products containing camphor, eucalyptus, or menthol.
Keep Your Skincare Products Nearby
Keeping your most effective moisturizers within immediate reach is an excellent method to make sure you actually use them. At the office, keep a stash of hand cream or alcohol-free sanitizer at your desk for after washing your hands, and keep a stick of lip balm handy.
You can even use a hydrating face mist at the office. Keeping up with your regimen throughout the day will pay off in terms of your skin's health.
Avoid Petroleum-Based Products
Most people assume that you should avoid petroleum-based products because they contribute to breakouts. While this isn't false, it's important to note that petroleum-based products can also contribute to continued dryness.
HuffPost notes that petroleum jelly is "water-repellant and not water-soluble, meaning it merely seals the barrier so that moisture does not leave the skin... you're actually drying out your pores by keeping out air and moisture."
Don't Forget About Your Hair
When you're taking your lukewarm shower remember to use a mild herbal shampoo instead of an alcohol-based option. Depending on your hair type, a deep conditioning treatment weekly can do wonders.
When you're done showering, keep a towel tied around your head for 15 minutes so the moisture doesn't escape right away. Additionally, avoid heat styling if you can. It can be super drying and create long-lasting damage when overdone.
