The winter time is known for drying out our skin and causing very rosy cheeks. It can become very uncomfortable for all of us and by taking care of our skin properly, you may notice a big change. Below are some tips and products on how to combat the dryness our bodies may have become immune to these past couple of months.
Face
1. Moisturize
-Keeping your face moisturized is the most important factor for anyones facial routine. If you are using a moisturizer from the spring/summer, try switching it up. Find one that is oil based rather than water based. Oil based provides more moisture, adding more hydration to the skin. After washing your face, apply a hydrating moisturizer twice a day. (Night creams are also a great option)
Products: Ponds Dry Skin Cream ($7.59 Target), CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($13.99 ULTA), Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ ($26 Sephora)
2. Facial Masks
-Facial masks are a great way to help hydrate your skin as well. Try using a mask twice a week rather than once. Find ones that say “hydrate” or “moisturizing”. If you are on a budget, try using an avocado! Avocados are very hydrating for the skin and provide great benefits.
Products: Freeman Feeling Beautiful Chocolate & Strawberry Facial Clay Mask ($3.99 ULTA), Mario Badescu Enzyme Revitualizing Mask ($20 ULTA), GLAMGLOW THIRSTYMUD Hydrating Treatment ($69 Sephora)
3. Don’t Over Exfoliate
-Over exfoliating causes your skin to produce more oils, making your skin dehydrated. While you may think you are removing the dry patches, you are causing your skin to become drier. Instead reduce to exfoliating once a week.
Products: Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub ($6.99 ULTA), St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub ($3.24 Target), Clean & Clear Action Exfoliationg Scrub ($6.99 ULTA)
Body
1. Oils
-Different types of oils help nourish the skin and provide maximum hydration. Coconut oil is a great for hydrating your skin. It is in a solid form, so take small scoops out of the container and apply it over your skin after you shower.
Products: Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula ($10.49 CVS), Nuance Salama Hayek Jojoba Dual Phase Body Oil ($12.99 CVS), Fresh Sugar Ultra-Nourishing Body Oil ($48 Sephora)
2. Body Butter/Cream
-Body butters/creams are more moisturizing than lotions and work longer than an ordinary lotion. Some will even contain oils that are inside the butter. After showering or whenever your body needs extra hydration, apply the body butter all over your body.
Products: True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere Body Cream ($18.50 Bath & Body Works), The Body Shop Olive Body Butter ($20 The Body Shop), Soap & Glory The Righteous Body Butter ($22 Sephora)
Hair
1. Less Shampooing
-Washing your hair everyday causes your hair oils to be stripped, making hair drier. Switching to a Sulfate-Free Shampoo helps maintain the hair and also doesn’t strip the oils. Another tip is by skipping a day or two of washing your hair so have natural oils hydrate your scalp. If your hair tends to be oily, try using a dry shampoo instead of washing your hair. Make sure to brush your hair twice a day to distribute the oils throughout the hair.
Products: OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo ($7.99 ULTA), Batiste Dry Shampoo Original ($7.99 ULTA), Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo Spray ($5.99 ULTA)
2. Hair Mask
-After shampooing, apply a hydrating mask at the end of your hair (tips) and leave in for 5-7 minutes. This will help nourish the ends and make hair become less static. You could also use extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil to the ends.
Products: It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask ($30 ULTA), L’Oreal Oleo Theorpy Deep Recovering Mask ($8.99 ULTA), Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask ($8.29 CVS)
3. Hair Oil
-Once you are out of the shower, brush your hair carefully and apply hair oil throughout the hair, focusing on the ends. This will hydrate the ends and keep them looking soft and shiny.
Products: OGX Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating Oil ($7.99 Ulta), Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment ($6.49 CVS), Agave Oil Treatment ($40, Sephora)
Other
1. Lips
-Make sure your lips are hydrated by applying lip balm.
2. Water
-Drink plenty of water! A big part of hydrating your body and skin is by drinking plenty of water. Make sure to drink 8 glasses or more water daily.
3. Makeup/Removal
-Instead of using powder foundation, try switching to a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. These types of makeup helps hydrate your skin, but also provide coverage. You could also use a liquid foundation that is specifically for dry skin. The oils in the foundation can help hydrate your skin and also provide coverage. When removing your makeup, use a cleansing oil or a lotion made for removing makeup. Using cleansing wipes dries out skin so try using an oil based remover at night.
4. Humidifier
-Try hooking up a humidifier in your room. This will not only help moisturize the air, but it will also help hydrate your skin.
5. Avoiding hot baths/showers
-Although we all enjoy a nice hot bath in the winter, try going for a warm bath instead. Hot water strips the skin and tends to dry out the skin, so by using warm water, your skin will be slightly more nourished. Also add some oils in the bath to help hydrate the skin more.