Cold weather is here, and while that means snowmen and hot cocoa, it unfortunately also means dry winter skin. Here’s how to beat it:
Drink plenty of water. We’ve heard this one a million times, but it really is good for your skin. Besides keeping it hydrated, drinking water flushes out toxins and can help with acne.
Keep showers short. While drinking water is good, long hot showers remove protective oils and dry out your skin. If you absolutely can’t cut down on shower time, at least try switching to a moisturizing body wash.
Moisturize. Experts recommend putting a moisturizer on right after you shower, because that is when skin is most absorptive. Most drugstore brand lotions are fine, but if you have extra dry skin or want to treat areas like elbows, knees, and feet, try a thicker formula. If you still have some Aloe Vera gel left over from the summer, this works great as a non greasy moisturizer and treats windburn.
Adjust your regimen. Skin is often more sensitive in the winter, so avoid products that dry out skin such as those that contain alcohol, clay masks, and rough peels.
Gently exfoliate. Slough off dry skin with an exfoliant that doesn’t contain rough particles. If your budget doesn’t allow for this, you can use baking soda in a pinch.
Care for your hair. Hair can get dry and brittle in the winter too, so try a hair mask or deep conditioner. For a low cost alternative, try using ingredients you may already have, like olive oil, avocado, or coconut milk.
Use sunscreen. Sun still affects skin in the winter, so make sure you have at least SPF 15 on. The new BB creams on the market contain sunscreen, so try one of these as an easy way to incorporate this into your daily routine. If your skin is breakout prone, make sure you pick an oil free product. Bonus points if your winter lip balm has sunscreen in it too.