There’s nothing more harsh on our skin than cold, dry conditions. Anyone who lives in a climate where winters are harsh knows that cold winter air can wreak absolute havoc on otherwise beautiful skin. It’s not just the weather outside that can ruin your beautiful skin. Dermatologists agree that being inside with artificial heat can be taxing on your skin, causing a lack of hydration and general flakiness and dryness.
Just because winter is coming doesn’t mean that you have to kiss your smooth and dewy skin goodbye. There are techniques and tips you can use to keep your skin glowing, hydrated and supple. To help you defy the odds and keep your skin gorgeous, no matter how much snow is on the ground, here are five ways to get your skin ready for winter.
1) Trade in Your Gel Moisturizers
During the summer, most of us can get away with using very minimal moisturizing products. During the day, many of us just get the moisture we need from our sunscreen. At night, many of us turn to liquid or gel moisturizers, which provide summer skin with ample hydration.
During winter, however, these products might as well be tap water. Trade in your light or gel moisturizers for thick creams that will really pack a hydrating punch. Look for products that say “night cream” instead of “lotion.” Ingredients like hyalauronic acid and vitamin E are great for putting moisture back into dry winter skin.
2. Put Moisture Into The Air
Dry air is incredibly bad for the quality of our skin. While it’s possible to rehydrate the skin with moisturizers, it’s even better to avoid drying out the skin in the first place. The best way to do this is by using a humidifier. A humidifier heats water and releases vapor into the air. Not only will you breathe better, but your skin will appear more moisturized and supple.
3. Take Care Of The Skin On Your Body, Too
It’s not just our faces that suffer from harsh weather conditions. The skin on our body needs extra moisture during this time of year as well. One of the best regimens for improving the skin below our necks is to use an oil-based scrub in the shower, followed up with a thick body butter or cream.
Using a scrub on dry skin might sound counterintuitive, but it’s incredibly effective. A sugar or salt scrub in an oil base will gently slough away dead skin cells, while the oil will add hydration. When you step out of the shower, add extra hydration with a thick body cream. If you make this a nightly routine, you’ll barely notice a difference in your body skin, no matter how dry or cold the temperature becomes during winter.
4. Careful With Anti-Acne And Anti-Aging Products
Products that feature chemical exfoliants like salicylic or glycolic acid are great for banishing blemishes and fine lines. However, you need to be cautious with using them when the air is very dry. These products work by chemically sloughing away dead skin cells. When your skin is dry due to harsh weather conditions, these otherwise fine products can dry the skin out excessively.
You don’t need to necessarily cut these products out altogether, but be mindful of the effect that they’re having on your skin during winter. If your skin feels excessively flaky, consider switching to a product that has the same active acid, but in a lower concentration. For example, someone using a 10% glycolic acid serum could move to an 8% concentration to achieve the same anti-aging effects without excessively drying out their skin.
5. Try Fun New Beauty Crazes From Korea
Korean anti aging products and techniques are quickly rising in popularity in the West. Winter is the perfect time to give two of the country’s most popular products a try. Try a sheet mask, which is a thin paper mask soaked with hydrating serum that you place on your skin for 20-30 minutes. When you remove it, you don’t wash the residue off, rather rubbing it into your skin to get the full benefit of its hydrating properties.
Alternatively, try a sleeping pack, which is a very thick overnight mask that is applied over your night cream. You don’t wash it off, instead leaving it on to soak into your skin overnight. Popular brands include Laneige and Tony Moly, both of which are available online.
Love Your Skin and It Will Love You Back
To keep your skin glowing during winter, just remember to keep it hydrated. Drink water, use a humidifier and invest in products that are designed to put moisture back into your skin. The more you love your skin, the more it will love you back.