I don’t mean to scare you when I say this, but in case you didn’t know… winter is coming! All Game of Thrones references aside, winter is actually quickly approaching and that can mean a lot of different things for different people. From the stress of the holidays to the abundance of traveling to see loved ones, winter can be a harsh time for anyone. With all the exciting things that winter brings, it’s easy to lose track of skincare and taking care of yourself. Winter weather is exceptionally hard on your skin and can cause annoying inconveniences that no one wants to deal with. The cold, dry air that winter brings can leave your skin really irritated. Luckily, I’ve got a couple of tips to keep your skin glowing and refreshed throughout the winter months.
Modify Your Skincare Routine
I know this might sound scary and you don’t want to deal with the annoyance of switching up your skincare routine, but trust me on this one. It’s really important to switch from harsh, exfoliating cleansers to cream-based cleansers and to do your best to limit your use of toner. Using cream-based cleansers instead of exfoliating ones will help your skin from drying out and will be gentler on your dry, wind-blown skin.
Lip Balm, Lip Balm, Lip Balm
It is more important to keep your lips moisturized during the winter than any other time of the year. The winter air can dry out your lips so fast, leaving you with painful, chapped lips. Always keep lip balm with you and reapply as much as you need. Additionally, putting on petroleum jelly can help heal already cracked or dry lips.
Moisturize Regularly
Aside from moisturizing your face, it’s important to moisturize any other part of your body that could be affected by the harsh weather. Personally, my hands get extremely dry during the winter and crack all the time, so I always keep a little tube of hand lotion with me wherever I go. Getting a huge tub of moisturizer and a smaller tube to keep with you out in public is probably your best bet to combat winter dryness. I mean, come on, who wants gross, dry skin all winter? I can answer that for you… no one.
Sunscreen Is Your Friend
Sunscreen is an important part of any skincare routine and shouldn’t be ignored in the winter just because it’s sort of gloomy outside. On brighter days, the sun rays reflect off the snow on the ground and increase your risk of exposure. On gloomier days, the Sun’s stronger rays can penetrate through the clouds and still reflect off the snow. It’s common knowledge that sun damage is awful for your skin, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen before spending any time outside, even if it’s gloomy.
Hydration is Key
Hydration is always a super important part of keeping you and your skin healthy throughout the year. So, it’s important to remain hydrated even if you aren’t working up a sweat or feel thirsty because it’s cold out, since dehydration can seriously creep up on you. On top of keeping you healthy, being hydrated also helps your skin from drying out and becoming irritated.
I hope these tips were a helpful reminder of what to do when winter finally arrives this year in order to stay refreshed and healthy.