The winter season is tough on the skin, dry air and harsh winds can sap the moisture from the skin. This can cause cracking, chapping and irritation.
Changing temperature means a change of routine, no matter which part of the world you live in. If you want your skin to be its best. You have to adjust your routines to help it to keep healthy as possible throughout the winter months. Here are a few guidelines for the long winters months, to help you keep your skin in good condition.
Hot Water
Don’t take long, hot showers. Hot showers may sound attractive in the cold winter and they can help warm you up. But they can also strip skin of its natural moisturising lipids, leaving your skin dry. Instead, take a short warm shower. Pat your skin almost dry and apply a good moisturiser while the skin is still damp. A moisturiser with shea butter or almond butter as they help to protect the skins own natural oils. You will need a super-emollient lotion for hands and heels. Or anywhere else you experience especially dry, cracked skin.
Sun Protection
Continue to protect your skin from sun damage. While seasons change, one thing that remains constant: the sun. No matter what season it is, it’s still shining. And you need sunscreen to protect your skin against harmful ultraviolet rays. Even though it’s not blazing hot. Your skin is still vulnerable to damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Since you’re usually wrapped up outside in the wintertime, you don’t need a lot. But try to wear a moisturiser with an SPF 15 on your face and all exposed skin throughout the wintertime. If your planning on taking a skiing holiday, do wear a high SPF. The sunlight reflecting on the snow can leave you with severe sunburn from a day on the slopes.
Exfoliate
Exfoliate twice a week. This will remove the dead skin cells and allow the skin to absorb extra moisture. The oil which we complain about in the summer is no longer being produced. Because of the cooler winter temperatures. Therefore skin loses the water, which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin. This can lead to premature ageing of the skin and fine lines, whilst your skin can appear puffy and grey.
Moisturise
Moisture frequently. Use a cleanser with oils and emollients. The more oil a moisturiser contains, the more moisture the skin will retain. If you work outdoors, make sure your face moisturiser is thick barrier cream. That will help protect from the wind as well as the sun. If you work indoors with central heating add an extra serum to your usual skin routine. A hyaluronic serum will help with combatting dehydration and keeps in natural moisture.
Humidifier
Use a humidifier. With heat on and the windows closed, the air inside your home can become very dry. This can cause your skin to feel dry and itchy. So it’s important to use a humidifier in communal areas. As the dryness in the atmosphere can also cause dry throats, as well as dry, cracked skin.
Drink Water
Drink plenty of water. This is a year-round tip but often avoided in the winter months. Its recommended that you drink 8 glasses, 2 litres of water a day. Drinking water gives you energy and benefits health. This helps you not overeat and most importantly helps your skin not become dehydrated.
I hope this helps you in protecting your skin from the terrors of the winter. If you have any questions or queries on how you can take care of your skin, please feel free to contact me.
