Winter is the season for holiday parties, cozy evenings by the fire, and fresh, magical snowfalls. People enjoy this time of year for many reasons, but healthy skin probably isn’t one of them. Unfortunately, crisp winter weather has a tendency to dry out and irritate your skin. You can combat the effects of cold weather with just a little preparation. Here are seven steps you can take to create an effective winter skincare routine. ALSO READ : DOES BLUE LIGHT FROM APPLIANCES DAMAGE YOUR SKIN
1. Use A Humidifier
Winter air has very low humidity because there’s less moisture in cold air. To push back against the cold, many people turn their heat up in the winter. Unfortunately, central heating systems, fireplaces, and space heaters all dry out the air inside.
To keep your skin hydrated, consider investing in a humidifier. This machine will increase the humidity inside your home and protect your skin from drying out. Your sinuses will also thank you. Checkout humidifier here.
2. Avoid Hot Showers
For many people, taking a hot shower in the winter is the only time they feel truly warm. Unfortunately, hot showers are notorious for drying out your skin. You’ve probably already experienced this with your hands after washing them repeatedly in hot water.
To keep your skin hydrated, avoid taking hot showers and scale down the temperature to warm. Cold water is best for your skin, but it won’t wash away dirt and oil as effectively as warm water. If you simply must take hot showers, make them shorter or shower less frequently.
3. Ditch Harsh Products
Dried skin tends to flake, which has many people reaching for skin products that exfoliate. Although exfoliation is an important part of taking care of your skin, it can often further irritate dry skin and make the problem worse.
One of the best ways to care for your skin during the winter is to cut back on exfoliators, harsh cleanses, and any other products that irritate or dry out your skin. Although products with vitamin C can brighten your skin, overuse of citrus products can lead to irritation.
4. Wear Sunblock
Many people associate sunblock with excessive sunshine and summer activities like swimming or boating. However, sunblock actually works to block two different kinds of rays – UVB rays that lead to sunburn and UVA rays that damage and age your skin which should be a part of your skincare.
During the winter when UVB rays are low, UVA rays can still be high. Snow can actually amplify the effect of these rays, reflecting UVA radiation at you from the ground as well as the sky. Because UVA rays can still affect you in the winter, it’s important to wear sunscreen during this season, too. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher everyday, even when you’re not going to be outside much.
5. Up Your Moisturizer
If you’re looking for a simple product change to combat winter dryness, try switching out lotions for heavier-duty creams. Your skin naturally becomes drier throughout the day, so applying extra moisturizer overnight can help your skin rejuvenate itself while you sleep.
Lip balms and eye creams are also a must during the winter months. As you probably know from experience, repeatedly licking your lips only makes them dry out more. Look for products without alcohol or ethanol, as these ingredients will actually dry out your skin over the long term.
6. Rehydrate With Facemasks
One of the best things you can do for your skin in the winter is protect your skin’s natural barrier and add facemasks to your skincare. Many beauty products can disrupt your skin’s natural oil cycle, which helps lock in moisture and keeps your skin waterproof.
If your skin feels tight and dry, it’s likely because you’ve damaged its natural barrier. In addition to reducing harsh products, you can restore your skin’s natural oil barrier with moisturizing face masks. Using overnight face masks can be good dry, tight skincare.
7. Layer Your Products
When you go outside in the winter, you probably wear layered clothing to protect your body from the harsh weather. The same principle applies to your skin. Starting with light layers first, you can apply layers of moisturizer and other hydrating skincare products to protect your skin from harsh, dry air.
If you have oily skin, you may need to be careful about how many layers of moisturizer you use. However, it’s always a good idea to apply lotion before leaving the house to give your skin an extra layer of protection. A good rule of thumb is that multiple layers of the same product are better than layers of many different products.
