Winter is almost here! The time has come once again for Starbucks red cups, long layers, sweater weather, boots, cute leather jackets and… dry skin? Is it me or does it seem that winter comes with the price of dry, flaky, and rough skin? If you have dry skin throughout the year then you are like me and dread the winter months because we lose our summer glow (sad face). Well, fret no more my fellow dry-skinned collegiettes because Christmas came early as I am going to share my dry-skin solutions and holy-grail products that can be used all year round.
1. Hydrate!
Drink lots of water during the dry winter months. Water can help rid the body of toxins, which can help the skin prevent breakouts. Your skin needs to use some of that water to hydrate the skin from within. Try to skip the caffeine as caffeine can dehydrate the skin even more.
2. Cleanse the skin!
Make sure to regularly cleanse the skin, so wash your face twice a day (once in the morning and once before bed). Use body washes or face cleansers that are gentle and moisturizing on the skin. Try to use cleansers that have little to no alcohol as one of the ingredients because alcohol is another drying agent that can be harmful to dry skin. Some cleansing products to use are: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil, Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser, Ultrabland Facial Cleanser by Lush and Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash: Fragrance Free.
Side Note: Winter means hot showers and heaters but these are not that great for the skin. A hot shower can strip the skin of natural oils us dry-skinned girls hold onto so dearly and heaters can do the same. Instead opt for a warm shower and a humidifier to keep the skin nice and moisturized.
3. Exfoliate!
If your skin is flaky and has dry patches, a gentle scrub will GENTLY remove the top layer of dead skin. Don’t over do it as too much scrubbing can do the opposite and irritate the skin. Try to use a softer and milder scrub, such as, something with oatmeal, sugar, or rice ingredients because these will help take off the top layer of dead skin without stripping excess oil. Exfoliators to live by are: Angels on Bare Skin Face and Body Cleanser by Lush, GLAMGLOW YOUTHCLEANSE Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, St. Ives Oatmeal Facial Scrub and you can make some simple sugar scrubs using organic brown sugar with coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil.
4. Use a hydrating mask!
If you want to use a mask, use one that is specifically for dry skin, as they tend to be gentler on the skin. Some masks I swear by are: GLAMGLOW THIRSTYMUD Hydrating Treatment, St. Ives Oatmeal Facial Scrub (It doubles as a mask, BONUS!), Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. You can make your own mask using e.v.o.o, coconut oil, honey, brown sugar or avocado.
5. Moisturize!
After you’ve cleansed the skin, make sure to add the moisture back into the skin. Lather the skin with moisturizing lotions that are specific to your skin type. Use eye cream for under your eyes, face lotion to moisturize your face and neck, and body lotion for the rest of your body. I also like to use some sort of toner water or spray to make sure that my skin has a little extra moisture to hold onto. If you don’t have toner water, applying lotions to SLIGHTLY wet skin can help your body hold onto that that extra moisture. Some of my favorite lotions are: Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture- Sensitive Skin, Eau Roma Water by Lush (rose-infused toner water), Origins Eye Doctor Moisture Care for Skin Around Eyes, and Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture with sunscreen SPF 15.
6. Use Oils!
Use natural oils such as argon oil, maracuja oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, etc. to add some extra moisture back into the skin. Apply the oil on your face after you’ve put on your moisturizer that way it locks in all that hydrating goodness. Try not to add too much oil during the day because it’ll make your makeup slide right off. Instead, sleep with the oil and watch how plump and illuminating the skin will look in the morning!
Hope this helps keep that skin healthy and glowing throughout the dry winter months. Good luck collegiettes!