Some people love the cold briskness of winter. Other people wish they could avoid it all and time-jump to spring. Regardless of your feelings toward the coldest season, everyone needs a winter skincare regime to protect our largest organ — our skin. Cold winds, warm cozy fires and even the sun can impact your skin's moisture, making it dry, itchy, and irritated. Having a skincare regime can help you take care of your skin and avoid chapped lips, ashy skin, or the look of a (wind chapped face).
The lightweight moisturizers that you were using in the summer and fall were weather appropriate, but they generally do not provide sufficient protection for your skin in the winter months. Between cold temperatures, winds, and constant exposure to indoor heaters, your skin is being stripped of its natural oils so, you need to adopt a healthy winter skincare routine. There are number of issues that can develop if you fail to take care of your skin in the winter. Xerosis, chapped lips, and eczema can either develop or be exacerbated during colder seasons. To avoid — or at least minimize — these conditions from developing, follow these (winter skin care tips). They can help you protect your skin in the colder months and keep your looking fresh.
Wear the right clothes.
One of the best (winter skin care tips) you can follow in the winter months is to dress appropriately for the season. If you're going outside for any amount of time wear coats, gloves, scarves, earmuffs to protect your skin from cold air and wind. You probably won't be able to cover your entire body, but you should strive to cover as much as possible to maximize your protection.
Modify your facial skincare routine.
You probably have a routine skincare regime that you already follow. But in the winter season, you should switch up your beauty routine to help retain your skin's natural oils. For example, opt for cream-based cleaners, use toner and astringents sparingly as the alcohol in astringents will dry out your skin. At night, use an overnight moisturizer on your face to protect your skin from dry air in your household.
Hydrate your skin.
When the seasons change from fall to winter, one of the first things you want to do is switch from lotion-based moisturizer to a cream-based one to protect your skin in the winter. You need a heavier moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. You should also make sure you are drinking enough water as well. A healthy water intake in the winter will help keep our skin hydrated. In addition to help keeping your skin hydrated, keeping a health water intake during the winter can have other positive health benefits including helping your kidney function property, improving your blood circulation and keeping your mood balanced.
Exfoliate your skin.
You still need to exfoliate your skin in the winter. But use a gentle exfoliate and exfoliate once a week. By exfoliating, you are removing dead skin cells that have accumulated because of the dry winter air. If you allow these skin cells to accumulate, they prevent your moisturizers from penetrating the skin and being effective. As a result, failing to exfoliate in the winter can increase dryness and irritation of your skin.
Layer your skin like you layer your clothes.
Wearing hats, scarves, mittens, legwarmers, sweaters and coats is going to protect you from the winter cold, you should apply the same concept to your face. Layer your skincare starting with the lightest layer like toner, serum, moisturizer and don't forget your SPF. You are still exposed to potential UV skin damage in the winter.
You need lip protection.
Hydrate your lips this winter! Add a heavy moisturizing balm like Vaseline or Aquaphor to combat dry, cracked lips like a lip balm or petroleum-based ointment. This type of balm will seal in moisture and protect your lips.
Shower with care.
While it may feel natural to take long, hot showers in the winter, this is the exact opposite of what dermatologists recommend in the winter. Take short, luke-warm showers as hot water can strip your skin of its natural moisture leaving your skin drier than you were before. "While counterintuitive, showering for too long makes your skin drier by stripping the 'good' oils from your skin," says board-certified dermatologist Dhaval G. Bhanusali of Hudson Dermatology. " Moderation is key when it comes to hot showers."
If you are really looking to establish a healthy skincare routine, we recommend reaching out to a dermatologist who can guide you on the right skincare products that you need in all the seasons. They can also help you build and establish the right skincare routine for you. If you want to learn more about skin, makeup or cosmetology, consider taking classes at Cortiva Institute. You can hone your skills and potentially turn your hobby into a new career.