Winter weather can be fun, with a break from the summer heat, and even snow and ice in some parts of the country. But those cooler temperatures can wreak havoc on our skin. When weather is colder and there is less humidity, it can really dry out our skin, as the air around us saps the moisture away. And if you aren’t staying on top of it all and looking after yourself, then dry skin can lead to skin cracking and even having it bleeding in extreme cases. The heating in our homes can dry our skin out too, as well as having baths and showers that are too hot. But what are some of the best ways to add moisture back into your skin in these kinds of conditions? Here are some ideas to help and inspire; are there any other tips that you would add to the list?
Keep Water Lukewarm
After being out in the cold, a steaming hot bath can sound like such a good idea. But the bad news is that it can dry your skin out. Bathing in water that is really hot can strip your skin from its natural oils that help to protect it, as well as keep it as hydrated as it can be. So where possible, make sure that you are bathing in water that is lukewarm, rather than hot,
Choose Skin Products Carefully
There are so many different kinds of skin products out there to choose from, but they are not all created equal. There are some that contain things that you do not want to go on your skin, and they can quite easily dry out your skin too. For starters, it is a good idea to look to avoid the products that have petroleum-based ingredients as this can actually make your skin drier, rather than more moist. Natural ingredients, and skin care products that are oil-based, rather than ones that are water-based, can help the hydration of your skin as well. In AVON’s ultimate guide to hyaluronic acid you can also see that hyaluronic acid, which is well known for its skin benefits, can be a good ingredient to find in your skin care products; it has even been shown to relieve pain for people suffering from arthritis. So these are the kinds of thing to look for when choosing beauty products.
Protect Your Skin
To start with, do you know that you should wear sunscreen all year round, even in the cooler weather? Just because the sun isn’t baking hot, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t wear sunscreen. This will help to protect your skin and keep it looking good, as well as hydrated. Simple things like wearing gloves can be a good idea too, just to reduce the exposure that your skin has to harsh conditions.
Stay Hydrated
We can tend to drink less water in the winter, at least water alone, as we turn to things like hot chocolate or tea as our beverage of choice. It is important to note that our skin needs hydration from the inside out, as well as just from the outside. And drinking plenty of water is going to help you to do just that. Try warm water with a squeeze of lemon for something warm that is hydrating and equally refreshing.
Exfoliate
If our skin is full of dead skin cells, then they can block our pores and lead to some drab and ill-looking skin. So exfoliating is one of the number one ways that you can quite easily stop that from happening. This will help your skin to look better, but moisture from lotions can’t get in if there is a layer of dead skin cells on top. So look for a gentle exfoliant to help you over the winter months. Don’t forget about your lips too; they will need exfoliating too.
DIY Masks
Face masks are such a good idea for helping to take care of your skin in the winter months. The good news is that there are many ingredients that you are likely to already have in the home that have some amazing properties for your skin. Almond oil, coconut oil, honey, and avocado are just some of the natural ingredients that can do wonderful things for your skin and add in some much needed moisture.
What are your top skincare tips? It would be great to hear what you think and what works for you, especially over the winter months when the weather is cooler.