How to Take Care of Your Skin During Winter

Depending on where you live, you may not have to really change your skincare routine in the winter. However, if you live in a place where winters mean low temperatures and snow, this article is for you. In your case, frosty and dry air in the winter months is a real challenge.

Not only do your face and hands feel the change, but basically, your whole body does. However, with the face being the most exposed part of your body, taking good care of it is the number one priority. Read on to learn more about how to keep your face moisturized and healthy, even during the winter!

What factors affect our skin in the winter?

During this cold time of year, our bodies experience extreme temperature fluctuations. We move from the chilly outdoors into very warm rooms within seconds. Add to that winds, snow, and dry air in our homes, and you get a recipe for dehydrated skin.

In the winter, the skin’s lipid layer weakens. This leads to dryness, redness, and burning of the skin. So how can you take care of it properly so that it won’t suffer? Those of us with oily skin have it a bit easier, as oily skin creates a natural protective layer on its surface. However, owners of dry skin, especially in the winter, have to put in much more effort to keep it moisturized.

Why is my skin so dry in the winter?

Reasons for dry skin on your face include:

• temperature differences
• not enough humidity in the air
• improper skincare routine
• diet lacking proper nutrients
• hormonal disorders
• genetic predispositions

Tips to keep your skin in good shape during the winter

Choose proper moisturizers

The skin of your face, body, hands, and feet needs moisturizing all year round, but in the winter it needs even more attention. Hot showers can suck the hydration from your skin. After showering, use moisturizers, and before going outside, use products that will protect your skin from the cold. If using moisturizers is not enough, reach for a nourishing mask. You can buy special hydrating masks at the store, or make them at home by yourself. You can always make such a mask using products such as honey, yogurt, or oatmeal.

Keep proper levels of humidity at home

Dry air makes the water from our skin evaporate faster, making it dry, irritated, and red. So check if the air at your home isn’t too dry and if it is, humidify it. Curiously, humidifying the air isn’t that difficult. 

A great way to make sure humidity levels in your home are good is by…having plants! Ferns, Areca palms, or peace lilies are just a few. What you can also do is hang wet towels, preferably on the heater or put a glass of water next to it. Of course, you can also buy a special air humidifier as well.

Opt for cosmetics with wintery ingredients

What do we mean by “wintery ingredients?” Well, winter is a great time to reach for products based on ginger, cinnamon, or cloves. They’ll not only put you in a wonderful mood, but also stimulate circulation, making you warmer!

Stock your medicine cabinet for the winter

• A good moisturizing cream–in addition to moisturizing ingredients, pay attention to emollients such as argan oil, apricot kernel oil, almond, sesame, or avocado
• Protective cream with sunscreen–getting a sunburn is also possible in winter. Creams with UV filters should be used not only when you’re skiing. Remember to use sunscreen even when walking around the city
• Dedicated lotions for your hand and feet
• Lip balm (no alcohol in the formula)
• Body lotion–use it immediately after showering. By doing this, you’ll make your skin even more moisturized.

Choose products for dry skin–the more oils and butters, the better. Avoid excessively using salt scrubs as they can further dry out your skin.

Beauty treatments in the winter

Fall and winter is a great time to indulge in skin treatments at beauty salons. Cloudy weather is perfect if you think about exfoliating your skin with chemical peels. It’s also a good time to go for microdermabrasion. Finally, laser hair removal is also a treatment you should consider getting in the winter, as it’s most effective on untanned skin.