Feeling the harsh effects of winter?
The colder temperatures and drier air often leave your skin feeling tight, itchy, and dry. You might end up with flaky skin that you can’t seem to tackle.
Keeping your skin healthy during the winter requires special skin care strategies to overcome those drying effects of the season. A few changes in the products you use and the way you care for your skin can ease the discomfort you normally feel.
Before changing your skincare product, talk to your doctor and see what they have to say about the change. However, if you don’t know such doctors, you can seek help from the Top Rated Doctor in Dubai.
Keep reading to find out how to care for your skin this winter.
Update Your Skin Care Routine
A regular care routine helps your skin stay healthy in the winter. But it’s often necessary to change what you do.
The same routine that works for your skin in the summer may not hold up when the weather changes. Drier winter air and cold temperatures suck the moisture out of your skin.
Your moisturizer, in particular, may need an upgrade in the winter. Lightweight moisturizers keep your face from getting overly greasy in the summer, but they often can’t keep up with your moisture needs in the winter.
Choose a thicker cream-style moisturizer for the winter. Avoid ointments with too thick of a consistency on your face as they can clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Switch your cleanser to something that’s gentler. Anything that’s too harsh can dry out your skin even more.
Don’t skip the toner in the winter. It helps hold in moisture and keeps your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Avoid facial products that contain alcohol. They can strip the oils from your skin and leave it feeling dry and itchy.
Reading reviews such as this Aspect Dr product review helps you find products that fit your skin type and winter care needs.
Moisturize More Than Normal
Winter is the time for lots of moisturizer. You might need to switch your normal daytime moisturizer to something more powerful.
Don’t forget about the opportunity to hydrate while you sleep. Many nighttime moisturizers offer a richer formula that boosts hydration.
Make sure your lips get plenty of moisture, too. Rich lip balm soothes your lips and keeps them from getting chapped and dry.
Your hands also need lots of moisture. You’re likely washing them frequently in the winter to get rid of germs. Apply lotion after each washing to keep them from drying.
Watch the soaps and hand sanitizers you use. They can often be harsh and drying, which causes more dryness and irritation.
Exfoliate Your Skin
Exfoliation is especially important in the winter. It gets rid of the dead skin cells that pile up on the surface. Once they’re gone, your moisturizer is better able to soak into your skin.
One option is to dry exfoliate using a soft brush over your skin. Gentle exfoliating scrubs are also an option. Facial peel products can exfoliate your face, but choose one that’s gentle to avoid drying it out.
Another option is to treat yourself to a professional facial. Your esthetician can tailor a facial treatment to your skin for gentle exfoliation. The facial helps keep your skin clear and better able to accept the moisturizers you use on it.
Humidify Your Home
Cold air doesn’t hold as much moisture as warm air. Even though you heat your home and it’s much warmer than outside, your furnace doesn’t add moisture to the air. That’s why your skin feels so dry in the winter.
You can add moisture back into your inside air with a humidifier. Some furnace systems feature whole-house humidifiers.
Another option is to put portable humidifiers in the areas where you spend the most time. That extra moisture is also beneficial to the wood in your house, which can dry out just like your skin.
Lower the Temperature
Extra heat can dry out your skin even more, especially in the shower. It may feel great, but a hot shower complicates your dry winter skin problems.
The hot water pulls away the natural oils in your skin that keep it hydrated. The oil also works as a barrier for your skin. When it’s gone, it can make your skin more sensitive.
You don’t have to take a cold shower, but try to turn the water temperature down to a warm temperature. Keep your showers short and sweet to limit how much hot water touches your skin.
Slather on your moisturizer right out of the shower. Your skin is better able to absorb the lotion when it’s damp.
Lowering your thermostat in your home can also help. Having the heat too high can make the air feel drier. Bonus: You’ll also save on your power bill when you turn down your heat.
Continue With Sunscreen
You never forget your sunscreen in the summer, but many people fall off on sunscreen application in the winter. It’s just as important to protect your skin from UV rays in the winter even if you don’t spend as much time outdoors.
If you live in snowy areas, you need sun protection even more. The snow reflects as much as 80% of the UV radiation that hits it.
Your skin gets the UV radiation directly from the sun. And it might get even more when the UV radiation bounces off the snow.
Even those gray winter days call for sunscreen. The harmful UV radiation can go through the clouds even if you’re missing the sunlight.
Protect your skin from UV damage with regular sunscreen application. The skin damage risks include painful sunburns, premature wrinkles, and skin cancer.
Nourish From Within
What you put into your body can affect your winter skin condition. Ramp up your water intake during the winter to keep everything hydrated, including your skin.
Healthy foods give your body all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can help improve your winter skin.
Implement These Skin Care Strategies
Using these winter skin care strategies helps protect your skin from the harsh cold, dry air. Visit our makeup and beauty archives for more tips on putting your best face forward all year long.