Winter weather is harsh on every inch of your skin, most especially the exposed parts of your face, hands and feet. Cold temperatures, low humidity, and dry air strip your skin of much-needed moisture. Additionally, hot showers, long baths, and central heating, also contribute to causing dry, sore, and flaky skin or even eczema.
If you don't take adequate care, your skin will dry out and feel tighter than usual. You, therefore, need to pay closer attention to skin care in winter than during any other season. Below are useful winter skin care tips that will keep your skin smooth and supple.
Moisturize
Keeping your skin well moisturized is the cardinal rule of all winter skin care tips. In winter, your skin needs more hydrated than ever before. Apply a moisturizer immediately after taking a shower, washing your hands or face. The longer you wait, the more your skin dries out.
Always keep a moisturizer nearby, and generously use it after every wash. More importantly, massage your hands and feet with a deep moisturizing lotion every night. Hands, elbows, and feet have very few oil glands and tend to dry out more. Wear socks and gloves to lock in the moisture.
Use oil-based moisturizers
Remember to use an oil-based moisturizer during the winter months. Oil creates a better seal on your skin than water-based products. Opt for non-clogging oil lotions and night creams with shea butter, lavender, chamomile, primrose, avocado or almond oils. Creams that contain sorbitol or glycerine are also a plus. Avoid petroleum-based products and harsh cleansers that contain salicylic or glycolic acids, since they tend to dry out your skin.
Your Lips gets dried too
It is also essential to take care of your lips to prevent them from becoming chapped and dried. Using a natural lip balm with natural oils such as grapeseed, coconut, shea butter to lock in the moisture and keep your lips from becoming cracked.
Apply sunscreen
We tend to think sunscreen is only necessary for summer. However, the winter sun coupled with glare from the snow can damage your skin. UV rays that causes sunburn will ruin your exposed skin even on cloudy days. Apply a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor rating (SPF) for better results. Keep your face and hands protected from the sun and cold wind by wearing a hat, scarf and gloves.
Turn on the humidifier
Central heating may keep us warm and cozy in winter, but the dry, hot air it blasts through our homes and offices dries out the skin. In fact, any heating, whether wood, oil or electric, will dry out the skin. Turn on the humidifier every day to add moisture to the air. Install smaller units around the house, especially in the bedroom for better results.
Stay hydrated
Drinking more water in winter may sound unnatural. After all, taking a glass of water is not the first choice on a cold day. We all love our hot chocolate and lattes in winter. However, these hot drinks may keep us warm, but as diuretics, they make us lose water. Try and drink more water, even when not thirsty.
You may warm the water and add some a squeeze of lemon for a refreshing taste. Eating water-laden fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, oranges, tomatoes, and cucumbers will also help you stay hydrated. Furthermore, your skin needs vitamins and other nutrients in fresh vegetables to stay smooth and supple.
It is also important to use natural skin care products that will add moisture to your skin keeping it soft and smooth and prevent drying which can lead to damage and age your skin.