It’s a well-known fact that winter is basically synonymous with dry skin. Here are ten great ways to keep your skin at its healthiest!
1.) Plug in a Humidifier
Humidifiers may take up a pretty good amount of space (especially in tiny dorm rooms and apartments!), but they are well worth the sacrifice in the winter. The extra vapor in the air will help keep your skin hydrated and reduce itching and flaking.
2.) Take Shorter, Warm Water Showers
After a long day of walking around campus in the frigid cold, it’s extremely tempting to take a long, steamy shower to warm up and relax. As good as it feels, hot water actually zaps natural oils from the skin, which dries out winter skin even more. Try taking shorter showers with warm (not hot) water to help maintain moisture.
3.) Find a Nighttime Routine
Between ever-changing class schedules, jobs, and clubs, college is a crazy time with very few consistency. Sticking to a routine whenever possible is helpful not only for your mental health, but for your complexion, too! Figure out a cast of characters in terms of lotions, night creams, and other skin care products that works well for you, and use them every evening before you go to bed. Wake up feeling like a pampered queen every morning!
4.) Use a Hydrating Moisturizer
When choosing a moisturizer that works well for you (whether for daytime or nighttime), look for products that are listed as “hydrating,” which help your skin absorb moisture.
5.) Gently Exfoliate
It may seem counterintuitive to scrub dry skin, but it’s a must! Gently exfoliate with a wet washcloth or facial brush to get rid of dead skin cells—just make sure not to scrub very hard, which can irritate especially dry or sensitive skin.
6.) Avoid Fragrances
Scented lotions smell amazing, but they can actually be horrible for your skin (especially your extra-sensitive face). The chemicals in lotions’ fragrances aren’t usually listed in the ingredients list, so there’s always a chance that there are extra toxins lurking in scented products. Always choose unscented products to avoid irritation and breakouts!
7.) Look for Products with SPF
During the winter months when the sun rarely makes an appearance, it can be easy to overlook proper sun protection! It’s possible for your skin to be affected by the sun’s rays even on the cloudiest days, so always look for facial lotions and moisturizers with SPF protection!
8.) Wear Tinted Lip Balm Instead of Lipstick
During the winter, it’s not a good idea to wear lipstick very often because it’s severely drying. Instead, pick up a tinted lip balm that’s colorful, but has the added benefit of moisturizing your lips.
9.) Apply Lip Balm Before Bed
Most people sleep with their mouths open, which can expose your lips to a lot of dryness when you breathe throughout the night. By putting on lip balm before you fall asleep, it will work its magic all night long so you’ll wake up with soft, silky lips instead of dry, chapped ones.
10.) Be Prepared!
As college students, it’s not uncommon to be out and about all day long going from place to place. Bring a miniature bottle of lotion and some lip balm with you wherever you go!