Winter is the perfect time to change your skincare routine. The cold, dry air outside and the warmth and humidity inside can wreak havoc on skin. If you do not already have a favorite moisturizer, now is a great time to find one. The biggest difference between summer and winter is humidity. In summer, your skin benefits from the moisture in the air around you; in winter, your skin must produce its own moisture.
Use Less Hot Water
Replace those long soaks in the tub and 10-minute hot showers with shorter showers using lukewarm water. Taking hot showers increases the evaporation of moisture on the surface of your skin. It may also create cracks on your skin that leave it exposed to the elements. If you use a harsh soap and don’t apply moisturizer afterward, your skin will take an even bigger beating. Dial back the temperature of your bath and shower water and keep your soaks short. Apply moisturizer to damp skin as soon as you step out of the tub or shower.
Run a Humidifier at Night
Invest in a humidifier; it could become your skin’s best friend in the winter. Humidifiers release water vapor into the air, which helps your skin hold onto moisture more effectively. If you keep one in your bedroom overnight and start running it before you get under the covers, you’ll notice a difference in how your skin looks and feels in the morning.
Drink an Extra Glass of Water Daily
When you’re dehydrated, your skin suffers too. When you’re well-hydrated, your skin looks plumper and more youthful, and your skin gets the benefit of more moisture. Plus, you feel better and have more energy when you’re well-hydrated. Studies show even mild dehydration causes fatigue and can negatively affect your mood as well as the texture of your skin.
Consider Your Cleanser
The high-powered cleansers you use on your face and body in the summer can destroy your skin’s natural moisture barrier during the cold winter months. During the winter, your skin is constantly fighting with the cold and dry air. Repeated exposure to this weather can lead to a host of problems, from chapped lips to dry skin to irritated eyes. In winter, your best bet is an oil-based cleanser or a creamy facial soap.
Another option is to switch to a cleansing balm. Cleansing balms melt away make-up almost instantly; just rub them over your face until you feel the product ball up a bit. Then wipe it off with a warm cloth or rinse it off with water. Also, look for products that contain gentle ingredients like soy lecithin, aloe vera or vitamin E, which are far more likely to be helpful for dry or sensitive skin.
Switch Moisturizers
Moisturizers are often the unsung heroes of winter skincare. In the winter, you need a different moisturizer from the one you use in the summer. Winter weather is drying: heat, indoor humidity and cold outside humidity conspire to suck the moisture out of your skin. If you use the same moisturizer as you use in the summer, your face will end up feeling tight and chapped. Switch to a moisturizer that contains ingredients that absorb water from the air, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which draws water to your skin and helps protect it when you’re outdoors building snowmen.
Don’t Forget About Your Lips
Lips are one of the most neglected areas in skincare. People usually focus more on the appearance of their face and body than their lips. So it’s little wonder that so many people’s lips are sensitive and prone to dryness. They’re often the first place dry skin shows up. So take special care of your lips during the winter. Cold and dry air can be quite dehydrating, causing your lips to look dry and cracked.
How can you prevent dry, parched lips in the winter? First, use a lip balm with sunscreen every time you leave the house. SPF 30 or higher is best for winter protection. The sun will steal moisture from your lips and make them chapped even if the air isn’t dry. Avoid licking or biting your lips, as this further dehydrates them.
Don’t Forget to Exfoliate
Some people stop exfoliating in the winter but that’s the wrong move. If you don’t remove the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, the moisturizer you apply can’t penetrate as deeply. Be gentle but consistent with exfoliation to keep your skin glowing and looking its best.
The Bottom Line
Winter is an excellent time to change your skincare routine. The cold, dry air outside and the warmth and humidity inside can wreak havoc on skin. Of course, you need to protect your skin from the sun, too. If you don’t have good sunscreen, consider wearing protective clothing or staying in the shade when possible. See Also: 5 Ways Insufficient Sleep Affects Your Skin
References:
- Moisturizers: Options for softer skin – Mayo Clinic. 18 Oct. 2019, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/in-depth/moisturizers/art-20044232.
- This Winter Tackle Your Dry Skin. (2021, December 17). Http://Aadermatology.Com/. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from http://aadermatology.com/this-winter-tackle-your-dry-skin-2021/
- How to Prevent Dry Skin This Winter – Columbia Skin Clinic. 18 Nov. 2021, columbiaskinclinic.com/medical-dermatology/how-to-prevent-dry-skin-this-winter/.
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