Wintertime brings peppermint mochas, snuggling and holiday cheer, but its chilly, dry air can be detrimental to your skin. This year, use the snow as your inspiration and help your skin glow! Follow these easy tips to get your most beautiful winter skin.
1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Wellness expert Peggy Hall says skin needs to be nourished from the inside out to keep it hydrated and healthy. Avoid letting your skin dry out by moisturizing after your shower. In order to keep your body hydrated, slather a rich moisturizer generously all over your body.
A steamy shower may feel amazing when it’s cold outside, but don’t overdo it. Make sure to use warm (not too hot) water in order to keep your skin moist. Your natural oils exhaust when water is too hot, making it drier!
Make sure to use skin-specific products when it comes to your face as well. Each skin type is different, so make sure to find a product that carries enough oils to leave your skin dewy.
Splurge: SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser, $75 at Sephora
Save: Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil, $34 at Sephora
Also, try out a tinted moisturizer. This will double as your bronzer and your skin’s best friend, giving you an effortless wintertime glow. Most tinted moisturizers contain sunscreen—a necessary protector when you’re outside. Try Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($47 at Sephora).
2. Exfoliate
During the winter months, you’ll often have a buildup of dry skin due to the harsh temperature changes. Get rid of these dead skin cells by gently exfoliating with a scrub. Be sure to exfoliate once a week during your shower. This encourages new skin growth and leaves your skin smooth and healthy-looking.
Splurge: AHAVA’s Smoothing Body Exfoliator, $30 at Macy’s
Save: Tree Hut Coconut Lime Shea Sugar Scrub, $9 at Ulta Beauty
After exfoliating, be sure to moisturize. This will keep your skin looking hydrated and lustrous. When the cold air hits your skin, lotions become your best defense against dryness.
3. Cover Up
Do your best to cover your skin from the brisk winter air! Be sure to wear multiple layers to ensure comfort and coverage in all temperatures. Use the cold to your advantage and bundle up in style; have fun with it!
Try to utilize your unique wintertime style by rocking a cozy beanie or fun head wrap to protect your face and ears. Match this with a scarf and a pair of cozy gloves to keep your hands warm and moist! However, carrying around a portable hand cream is a great fix for when those gloves come off.
Splurge: Deborah Lippmann’s Rich Girl Hand Cream with SPF 25, $28 at Sephora
Save: Caudalie Hand And Nail Cream, $15 at Sephora
4. Seal it With a Kiss
During the wintertime, there is no greater savior then a jar of your favorite lip balm. Apply throughout the day to avoid chapped lips. One of our favorites is Smith’s Minted Rose Lip Balm ($8 at Sephora). Keep your lips kissable and avoid the dry air of wintertime by keeping this portable fix on you at all times.
5. Water, Water, Everywhere
Wash your face with warm water (just like your shower!). Hot water and soaps can be aggravating to your skin, so try to reduce excessive washing. For a great organic face wash, try NYL’s Organic Chamomile Face Wash ($29 NYL Skincare).
Be sure to stay hydrated; this is vital during the wintertime. Compensate for your peppermint mocha by drinking lots of water! Caffeine is a major source of dehydration, so be sure to cut back — and to drink your recommended eight glasses of water a day.
6. You Are What You Eat
What you eat during the winter can have a big impact on how your skin looks. Hall says to make sure you get lots of Vitamin A (also known as “the beauty vitamin”) during the winter months. This supplement can be found in spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale and romaine lettuce. She says that it’s vital to eat healthy fats, including essential fatty acids found in foods like ground flaxseed, avocado, coconut oil, olive oil and salmon. Hall also swears by zinc for clear skin, which can be found in pumpkin seeds and lean beef.
Foods to forget in the winter: fried foods, wheat, grains, potatoes, beans, soy and artificial sweeteners, since all of these can lead to puffy skin.
It’s important to remember that when the temperature changes, so should your skin care routine! Make sure to use these techniques; keeping your skin healthy will ease some of your wintertime blues.