With winter comes uncomfortably dry, itchy and dull skin. But this dryness and dullness are preventable with a few changes to your skincare routine. Here are eight essential winter skin care tips for radiant skin:
1. MOISTURIZE MORE OFTEN
Since winter conditions change, your moisturizer should change along with them. For the wintertime, find an ointment moisturizer that’s oil-based to help skin retain more moisture. Most night creams are oil-based.
2. USE A HUMIDIFIER
Central heating systems circulate hot air indoors, which contributes to dry skin. But humidifiers replenish moisture in the air, helping protect your skin from becoming too dry.
3. EXFOLIATE LESS FREQUENTLY
While exfoliating skin helps to get rid of dead skin cells and regenerate skin, exfoliating too often during the winter can dry out your skin. This is because your skin is already compromised due to the dry and cold weather. You should only exfoliate once a week in the wintertime.
4. USE LUKEWARM WATER
It’s true — hot showers feel amazing when it’s cold outside. But you should only use lukewarm water to shower and wash your face. Hot water dries out your skin, causing it to become itchy and dull. To keep your skin from losing water, immediately moisturize it after bathing.
5. AVOID PEELS
If you find that your skin is super dry, you should avoid harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners, all of which can seriously dry out your skin even more. Instead, use hydrating masks and cleansing milk.
6. WEAR SUNSCREEN
Most people make the mistake of only using sunscreen during the summer months. But the winter sun can still damage skin. Make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed areas of skin every day. This will prevent premature aging.
7. PROTECT LIPS
Protect your lips from becoming cracked and dry by applying an ointment-based lip balm to them frequently. Also be sure that the lip balm contains SPF 30 or higher to prevent sunburned lips. Whatever you do, never lick your lips.
8. CARE FOR HANDS
The skin on your hands is thinner than other parts of your body. That’s why it’s essential to moisturize your hands on a regular basis using hand cream containing humectants. You should also wear gloves whenever you go outside to protect your hands from the harsh cold.
Radiant skin all winter long
When it comes to keeping your skin hydrated and bright all winter long, the key is to switch up your skincare routine. It’s crucial that you use oil-based moisturizers for your face, lips, and hands. Follow these tips, and you’ll never have to worry about dry, itchy skin ever again.
References
- “15 Essential Winter Skin Care Tips That You Should Follow,” Stylecraze, July 31, 2018.
- “10 Winter Skin Care Tips,” WebMD, n.d.
- “6 Winter Skin Care Tips from Dermatologists,” Huffington Post, January 11, 2018.
