Winter Skin Care Tips You Need to Know
Ask a bunch of people what their favorite season is, and you probably won’t hear “winter” much—if at all. There’s a good reason for that. While there are a select few who love the cold temperatures and snow, the majority of people prefer weather that’s a little warmer and brighter. And much like people, human skin isn’t too fond of this season of cold, either. See, the cold often causes dryness, flakiness, and irritation, making winter skin care a little more complicated. Though our skin prefers the warm weather, we can’t just make winter stop rolling around each year. We have to adapt, so let’s take a look at some winter skin care tips to help you make it to spring!
Stay Hydrated Inside and Out
Staying hydrated provides seemingly endless benefits for the human body, and those benefits even affect the skin; it’s able to retain moisture levels that are necessary for its health. Unfortunately, though, simply drinking water likely isn’t enough. You’ll need external hydration as well. Incorporate hydrating serums and hydraulic, acid-rich moisturizers into your winter skin care routine. Both of these things combat winter-related dryness by helping your skin retain its water.
To recap:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Use hydrating serums.
- Layer your moisturizers.
Switch to a Gentle Cleanser
Some cleansers are so harsh that they’ll strip your skin of the natural oils that keep it hydrated, leading to irritation. This season, opt for a cream- or oil-based cleanser that will remove impurities with a gentle touch, keeping your skin’s protective barrier intact. Get ready for your skin to feel clean and nourished rather than tight and dry!
Moisturize Regularly
If you don’t moisturize in the winter, you might as well be asking your skin to feel like paper. We know you probably don’t want that, so be sure to use moisturizers—ideally with thicker, richer formulas—on a daily basis. Seek out products that contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, and glycerin, as they can create a protective barrier on your skin that prevents water loss.
Here are a few things you can incorporate into your winter skin care to maximize moisturization:
- Use a thicker cream: Bye bye, lightweight lotions. Thicker products are the way to go.
- Prioritize the key ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, and ceramides will provide your skin with vitality!
- Apply while damp: The best time to apply these products is following a bath or shower.
Sunscreen is Still Important for Winter Skin Care
The sun isn’t sending its most-intense rays in the winter, but that doesn’t mean you should lock away the sunscreen. The rays are still there and they still have the potential to damage your skin. Apply sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF rating to protect against this UV radiation that’s stronger than you think. As a little bonus, sunscreen helps to prevent premature aging and hyperpigmentation. Win/win!
Add Overnight Masks or Oils
We love being able to tell people that winter skin care is so easy that we can do it in our sleep! Overnight treatments are a great way to enhance your skin’s hydration and repair your skin, and you don’t even have to be awake for the process to work! A hydrating mask or facial oils such as jojoba, rosehip, or argan are particularly beneficial. They can replenish moisture and improve the texture of your skin without even clogging your pores.
Use a Humidifier
Not every part of your winter skin care routine needs to be about lotions and balms! Indoor heating systems are great for providing warmth in the coldest season of the year, but they come with a drawback: They pull moisture out of the air, which can lead to parched skin. Luckily, you can counteract this pretty easily. Place humidifiers in the rooms you spend the most time in! Just be sure to keep it clean so you aren’t faced with buildup of bacteria or mold.
Protect Your Lips and Hands
We all know the miserable feeling of having super dry hands and chapped lips. These areas of the skin are especially vulnerable to the less favorable effects of winter weather, so it’s important to give them some TLC. Here are some winter skin care tips for your lips and hands to maintain proper moisturization, even on the driest days:
- Use lip balm regularly: Select a product that contains shea butter, beeswax, or lanolin.
- Apply hand cream after washing: Richer creams do a better job of locking in moisture.
- Wear gloves: They’re for more than just keeping your hands warm!
- Avoid licking your lips: Though it provides temporary soothing, it can make chapping worse over the course of time.
Enhance Your Winter Skin Care Today
Your skin care routine doesn’t have to be overly complicated this winter, but some additional care is required to retain moisture and vitality. By staying hydrated, using quality products, keeping your indoor air moisturized, and protecting your skin from the elements, you can keep that glowing complexion throughout the coldest months of the year. And if you need any help, you know how to get in touch with Sylvana! We’re always happy to assist you with your winter skin care needs.
