Winter Skin Care Tips: Keep Your Skin Glowing During The Winter Months
With the winter season approaching, you may have noticed your skin needing some extra love to stay plump, radiant, and glowing. Cold temperatures are the culprit when dealing with flaky, dry, or dull-looking skin.
Believe it or not, simple changes can be all the difference between looking dry and uncomfortable to look hydrated, plump, and glowing in the wintertime.
Do you need a winter skincare routine to revamp your skin during the winter months? Keep reading for some simple tips and tricks that will help your skin look healthy during this winter season.
How Do Cold Temperatures Affect Our Skin?
Cold, chilly, and freezing temperatures threaten the equilibrium of our skin because of the change in humidity in our atmosphere and the air becoming drier.
This change in temperature can affect the appearance of every part of our body by drawing moisture out of the skin and creating flakiness, discomfort, or making our feet and hands appear rough and cracked.
What Not To Do
Generally, in the winter months, you want to avoid certain activities that could draw more moisture out of your skin and cause the appearance of red, swollen, or dry skin.
These simple tips are often the culprit of dull, dry, or red-looking skin.
Don’t Frequently Bathe in the Winter
Bathing less frequently or avoiding hot water helps retain some of the precious oils in your skin. Taking frequent showers or baths can dry your skin out or make it appear uncomfortable and red. If possible, try to limit the time you spend in the shower to ten minutes.
A good rule of thumb is if the water is turning your skin red, it may be too hot. Additionally, if you’re concerned with how effective cool water is at removing bacteria or germs, rest assured that it’s just as effective as hot water.
Always moisturize skin after washing it. Applying lotions, creams, and oils when your skin is wet helps the absorbency of the product.
Don’t Rub Your Skin With a Towel
Rubbing your skin dry with a towel can make it appear irritated and red. Try dabbing or patting your skin dry with a soft towel and air drying your skin to get rid of any leftover moisture.
Don’t Lather Cleansers or Soaps
When using products to cleanse the skin, avoid using products that lather excessively or use too much product. When cleansing the skin, you should use a thin layer to remove dirt and bacteria.
Don’t Shower or Bathe With the Door Open
Keeping the door open lets the trapped humidity escape and can leave your skin looking dry and unhappy. Next time you bathe, close the bathroom door and pay attention to how humid the air is. Your skin will thank you!
Don’t Use Fragrances on the Skin
In the winter, it is best to avoid using products with heavy fragrances in them. The FDA only requires scents to be disclosed as “fragrance” and not specifically what makes up the scent.
This could mean the harsh chemicals were used and could potentially result in the appearance of dry, uncomfortable, or irritated skin.
Look for products that are labeled “fragrance-free.” If you’re experiencing dry-looking or red skin on your limbs or torso, turn to “hypoallergenic” labels on laundry products because they can also impact the appearance of skin in the winter months.
Avoid Sitting by a Fireplace
Avoid sitting by a fireplace or any other heat source during the winter months because it can draw moisture out of your skin.
Avoid Adjusting the Thermostat
To maintain healthy skin in the wintertime, the true battle starts with avoiding central heat because it causes drier air indoors. Keep the house at a reasonable temperature, which in most cases is around 70-72 degrees.
Layering your clothes can be a good way to stay cozy and warm without overdrying your skin.
Avoid Tanning Beds
Do not use a tanning bed, ever. Although some people believe that it boosts vitamin D levels during less sunny months, the damage done by tanning beds far outweighs the reason to tan. Tanning beds are likely to cause cell damage and result in skin cancer.
Don’t Use Astringents or Toners
These products often have drying agents, such as alcohols, and can make skin appear more dry and uncomfortable.
Don’t Add Too Many New Products at Once
Adding too many new products at once can overwhelm skin when it is trying to rebalance itself. Try adding one new product at a time and testing out its effectiveness over a week. If irritation occurs, stop using the product before trying a new one.
Skin can be more sensitive in the winter months because of its lack of moisture.
Tips To Keep Skin Healthy and Glowing
Taking care of your skin during the cold winter months could be time-consuming, but it is well worth the effort.
As you brave the elements, the harsh winds, the frigid air, and the intense, beaming sun on the snow, keep these tips in mind to ward off any appearance of dull, irritated, or unhappy skin.
Invest in a Humidifier
A humidifier helps combat the appearance of dry, cracked skin by adding moisture back into the air. This will help your skin to look plump, happy, and hydrated. Keep in mind that running humidifiers require effort, like changing the water daily and using filtered, purified water.
Hydrate From the Inside Out
Generally, you are much less likely to drink enough water during colder months because you don’t sweat as much. Additionally, wintertime is the time of year when we reach for sweeter drinks like hot cocoa or hot tea.
Try drinking hot water with your favorite citrus fruits and peppermint. This alternative is hydrating and also tastes great.
Modify Your Skincare Routine for the Season
Your current skincare products might not be suitable to relieve the appearance of dry, flaky, or uncomfortable skin in the wintertime. Consider upgrading some products that will work overtime for you when you need them most.
Try using masks more frequently, especially in areas that are more susceptible to dryness.
- Use a thicker facial moisturizer or invest in a night cream. Oil-based products are shown to replenish your skin.
- Switch out your body lotion for a thicker cream.
- Look for products that contain hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or lactic acid.
- Try moisturizing treatments at night in areas that are most susceptible to dryness, like hands and feet. Use a thick lotion and put on gloves and socks to seal in the moisture.
- Exfoliate gently to aid in the appearance of flakiness or roughness. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that make your skin look dull on the surface. This will also help your skin absorb skin products better, such as moisturizers.
- Use a balm or petroleum jelly-based products on lips to heal the appearance of chapped, uncomfortable lips. Regular chapstick can actually exacerbate dryness and will keep you reapplying with no relief.
- Continue to wear sunscreen. The sun is at its strongest in the wintertime and can appear more bright when it is hitting the snow. Even on cloudy days, the sun rays still filter through the gloom and can cause the appearance of sunburn and dryness on the skin. Apply sunscreen to any parts of your body that will be exposed to the elements about 30 minutes before you head outdoors.
- Try a serum that contains vitamin C or other antioxidants that can brighten the appearance of the skin. Some serums can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so follow the tip above to keep skin safe.
If you don’t see any changes in your skin after adapting some of these products and tips, consider speaking with a dermatologist who can prescribe you a stronger moisturizer and creams than those found OTC.
Conclusion
The winter months can be rough on the skin, and it may seem more fragile. This is because of the change in temperature and lack of humidity in the air.
Suddenly, you have to worry about these conditions stealing the much-needed moisture out of your skin. Changing up your routine is the best way to combat the appearance of dry, cracked, or uncomfortable skin.
Try avoiding things like long, hot showers or cranking up the central heat in your home.
Adding products that seal in moisture and are non-irritating can restore equilibrium to your skin until winter is over. Additionally, consider making an appointment with a dermatologist for more guidance on your winter skin conditions if you’ve tried it all.
For more tips and suggestions on how to care for your skin, visit our blog for more information on achieving the skin of your dreams.
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