Winter Skincare

Brr … it’s cold! Winter is here and it’s hard to escape from dry, itchy and irritated skin. When temperatures drop this time of year, moisture evaporates off skin faster and can wreak havoc on your skin’s health. But, it doesn’t have to be this way!

To combat the inevitable dropping temperatures and unavoidable icy wind gusts, here are a few tips for your winter skincare routine:

• Hydration Station

  We know staying hydrated has multiple health benefits for our body but it is also essential for the overall health of our skin. In addition to drinking eight glasses of water a day, a humidifier can put moisture back into the air inside your home and keep moisturize locked into the skin. Since you’ll be spending more time inside because of the snow, make sure you stay hydrated.

• Shine From the Inside Out

  A lack of vital nutrients in your diet can also dry out your skin. By eating healthy, you can help aid hydration from the inside out. Vitamins and supplements that contain omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, such as fish oil or evening primrose oil, give us essential fatty acids (EFAs) that our bodies crave and help prevent dry skin. Avoiding diuretics such as coffee, soda and alcohol that strip our bodies of our hydration, can also help improve overall skin health.

• Turn Down for What!?

  As tempting as it may be, blasting the heat and taking long, hot showers can dehydrate the surface of your skin and can lead to redness, cracking and flaking. To avoid this, moisturize the skin with ceramides and hyaluronic acid products that are fragrance-free right after you shower. These products help saturate the skin and protect its moisture barrier. While moisturizing may seem obvious, we don’t do it often enough. We need to moisturize multiple times a day.

• Protect at All Costs

  Even in the winter months, you should wear sunscreen – yes, you heard right! On sunny winter days, the sun’s rays on snow can reflect up to 80%, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. This can deplete the skin of moisture and cause damage from the harmful UV rays. Experts recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily to all exposed skin.

• Be Good to ALL of Yourself

  Oftentimes we don’t think of the ingredients in our facial cleansers, hand soap, or body wash that can strip our bodies of their natural moisture and oils. By switching to gentle and natural products that are fragrance-free, you can get the job done without removing the skin’s natural moisture.

While winter skincare is especially important during the winter season, these tips can be executed throughout the year to ensure healthy, glowing skin. Your body will thank you!

You may also like

Winter Fruits and Veggies