The winter season can be extremely punishing on your skin. Once the temperatures plunge, there is less moisture in the air, which means your skin may not be sufficiently hydrated. This lack of humidity will leave your skin feeling parched, flaky and itchy. The discomfort is even more amplified for people with sensitive skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
During the winter season, your beauty routine is under serious threat. You will have difficulty maintaining smooth and healthy skin against the extreme weather conditions. The harsh winter winds, the dry indoor temperatures, and the volatile weather patterns are all detrimental to the health of your skin.
These next few months will be challenging to endure unless you’re equipped with the best winter skin care tips. In order to keep your skin rejuvenated, protect yourself by following these winter skin care tips:
Tip #1: Always moisturize your skin.
Moisturizing is one of the most important winter skin care activities. This process is best performed after taking a shower, which helps to retain the skin hydration. To apply the moisturizer, first pat your dry skin to make it damp. Then, apply the moisturizer over the skin, which will absorb and lock in the moisture. Next, gently spread the moisturizer and use a swirling motion to blend the product. Finally, allow the moisturizer to dry on your skin for a couple of minutes.
During winter, your hands are the most likely to become dry and chapped, so it will be useful to keep some moisturizing hand cream nearby. If you have itchy skin, you may want to try super-emollient balms or moisturizing creams with cocoa and shea butter components. These rich, antioxidant ingredients will keep the dryness symptoms off your body.
Tip #2: Try hydrating face masks.
Hydrating face masks are perfect for curing dry skin during winter. These masks are formulated with materials that boost the moisture retention, making them super useful for keeping your skin clear and hydrated. You simply apply the mask to your face, leave it on for the prescribed amount of time, and then enjoy your newly freshened look. The hydrating face masks can either be purchased or homemade.
Tip #3: Remove wet winter clothes as soon as possible.
Wet clothes can cause irritation when they stay in contact with the skin for too long. This is a concern during winter, because your clothes will be soaked when it snows heavily outside. This goes especially for your gloves, which could lead to chapped and damaged skin on your hands. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, make it a priority to remove any wet winter clothing at the earliest opportunity.
Tip #4: Avoid long showers during winter.
Although it’s tempting to take a long hot shower on a freezing cold winter day, you shouldn’t succumb to the temptation. When you take a lengthy shower with hot water, your skin is extremely prone to drying out and even cracking once you step out of the bathroom.
To play it safe, take shorter showers (five to ten minutes) in lukewarm water temperature. Avoid scalding hot showers since these can wear out your skin’s natural oil shield, leaving it in bad shape.
Tip #5: Eat a balanced diet.
While eating properly is important in any season, a balanced diet will make your skin more resilient during the winter. Eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables, especially those that are rich in antioxidants and important vitamins. A healthy diet complements your winter skin care routine very well, providing you with both dermatological and nutritional benefits.
Tip #6: Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
Winter is a festive time of the year with plenty of parties and holiday celebrations. There may be several social occasions where you get to enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two. However, you should avoid drinking copious amounts of alcohol since it dehydrates your body. Too much alcohol can cause an inflammatory reaction to your skin, which you will want to avoid.
Naturally, the best beverage to counter the dehydrating effects of alcohol is water. As you enjoy the occasional beer or cocktail, you should also sip some water in between your favourite alcoholic drinks.
Tip #7: Wear sunglasses when you step outside.
While a bright winter sun can be beautiful, it can also cause a lot of wrinkles if you aren’t careful. The combination of snow and sunrays could create a snow glare effect, causing you to squint frequently and form wrinkle lines around your eyes. To avoid this, always pack a pair of sunglasses that will protect the delicate skin near your eyes.
Tip #8: Use a humidifier.
During winter, your skin condition is likely to worsen because the air is almost always dry. This problem can be rectified by placing a humidifier in your living quarters. A humidifier will put the moisture back into the air, which helps to rehydrate your skin. Make sure you leave the humidifier running throughout winter and check regularly to ensure the humidity is at an appropriate level.