Winter is a time of snow days, cute scarves and the biting cold. And during this time, your skin is likely to take a major beating whenever you step outside, so it’s extremely important to take the right measures to prevent your skin from suffering. Here are seven ways you can keep your skin hydrated and healthy this winter.
1. Don’t spend too much time in the hot shower. While taking a long, hot shower after a cold day sounds like a dream come true, exposing your body to hot water for long periods of time can dry out your skin by destroying the lipid layer. Try shortening your time in the hot water or turn down the heat if you don’t want to give up your precious shower time.
2. Find a thick facial moisturizer. Makeup sitting on top of dry and flaky skin never looks cute. Even if you normally don’t use a moisturizer for your face, find one that is unscented and thick for the winter months to avoid dry face syndrome.
3. Avoid scented lotions and body creams. While they may smell like your favorite winter-themed coffee drink, scented lotions and creams can irritate your skin and make it look even more dehydrated. Pick unscented lotions that are dermatologist recommended — they will keep your skin happy and dry-patch free.
4. Exfoliating is a must. Exfoliating your skin can make a huge difference in the winter. There are a ton of exfoliating scrubs available, or you can make your own out of simple ingredients like brown sugar, olive oil and honey. Exfoliate your whole body in the shower and follow up with a moisturizing body wash to make your skin feel silky-smooth. Definitely don’t forget to exfoliate your lips — those need plenty of love too.
5. Slather on the SPF. A lot of people think that sunscreen is a summertime-only necessity. But the sun is still strong enough to dry out your skin or even make you burn. You should especially be careful when it snows, as the surface of the snow reflects the sun’s rays and will burn you. Show your skin some much needed attention and apply sunscreen everyday.
6. Gloves are not optional. Your hands are very sensitive to the biting wind of cold weather. Make sure to wear gloves whenever you’re outside and moisturize your hands after you wash them. Soap strips your hands of moisture, so they need to be replenished right away!
7. Lip balm is your new best friend. Unscented lip balms are winter weather essentials. Apply a thicker one before bed every night and a thinner one for the daytime. The combination of the two will keep your lips from cracking and will protect them from the dry, winter air.