For many women, the cold winter months are synonymous with unbearably dry skin. Among all the seasonal challenges that winter brings - snow shoveling, holiday shopping frenzy, endless gray skies, etc. - you shouldn't be afraid of drying out your skin either.Dry skin This is not only inconvenient and ugly. It can break your wholedaily skin care and make-up, forcing you to experiment with different techniques and spend money on new products to make up for flaky patches on your face.
If you already have natural drying, a cold winter will only exacerbate it. The dryness of winter usually causes women with oily complexions to have both dry and oily patches that are difficult to correct. In other words, the tendency to dry out in winter is not suitable for any skin type. Fortunately, there are some simple and effective ways to avoid dry skin. Arm yourself with the knowledge on how to deal with winter dry skin to keep it fresh from the start of the season.
1. Proper hydration
Obviously, one of the best ways to prevent dry skin is to moisturize it. While this is true, there are ways to change your hydration habits so they fight dryness more effectively. Use light in the morningmoisturizer on water basedwhich can be applied under makeup. At night, apply a layer of a heavier oil-based moisturizer to keep the natural hydrating oils in your skin while you sleep. Try to apply moisturizer as soon as possible after your shower. The moisturizer will penetrate your skin more easily when it's still damp, as well as being retained in vital water.
On very dry areas, apply a thin layer of Aquaphor or Vaseline to get rid of excessive dryness as quickly as possible. Avoid using these heavy ointments on your face to prevent clogged pores and breakouts (although they are very effective for dry areas under the eyes). Apply them to your arms, legs, elbows, and any other areas that get especially dry and irritated in winter. To add variety to your moisturizing routine, keep your hands and feet hydrated by wearing socks and gloves immediately after applying your moisturizer. Keep your socks and gloves on all night to moisturize your skin while you sleep.
2. Stop shaving
So, a complete moratorium on shaving is probably unrealistic for most women. However, shaving irritates your skin and strips it of its natural oils and moisture. In winter, when your skin is already more prone to dryness, this irritation often results in your skin becoming visibly dry and scaly.
If you don't want to completely stop shaving from December to March, at least try to minimize how often you shave - try skipping three days between shaving your legs instead of just one. Also, keep in mind that the areas where you shave are likely to suffer from more severe dryness, so pay special attention to your legs, arms, underarms, and whatever else you shave in your daily moisturizing regimen.
3. Don't Forget Sunscreen
Not using sunscreen regularly is one of the worst and most common mistakes women make when it comes to winter skincare. When the sun isn't shining outside, it's easy to forget to put on sunscreen to remind you of that, but you can get just as much sun-related skin damage in winter as in summer, even if it's completely overcast and gray outside.
If you find yourself forgetting to apply sunscreen to your skin, especially your face, every day, try getting a BB cream, primer, or pre-makeup moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or higher. If you have SPF in an important product of your daily cosmetics, you are unlikely to forget about sun protection, even if it is not on your mind.
4. Cool down the water
This is everyone's least favorite winter skincare tip, but it's effective enough to prevent and combat dry skin that it still deserves to be used. Using very hot water in the shower and bath can dry out the skin. Unfortunately, because of the cold, people are more likely to raise the temperature of the water in winter.
It is not necessary to take ice baths to protect the skin from dryness associated with hot water. Just try to keep the water in the shower warm, not scalding. If you just can't bring yourself to lower the temperature, stay in the shower for a shorter period of time. Also, if possible, avoid splashing on sensitive skin.
5. Use a humidifier.
Humidifiers are tedious devices that instantly remind many of allergies and sick days. However, it might be worth getting one if it protects your skin from seasonal dryness.
In winter, the cold air outside is drier than usual, leading to dry and flaky skin. However, if you use central heating or space heaters when it's cold outside, the air inside your home is likely also contributing to seasonal dry skin. The influx of hot air sucks moisture out of your home and worsens dry skin. A humidifier in your home replenishes the moisture in the air and prevents the air from drying out and irritating your skin.
6. Keep Exfoliating
Many people forego regular exfoliation in the winter. They fear that exfoliating will only worsen their seasonal dryness.
Harsh, abrasive exfoliants can cause dry, irritated skin no matter what time of year it is. However, using a mild, alcohol-free exfoliant once or twice a week in winter will remove layers of dead skin. This removal can visibly improve the appearance of dry, flaky skin.
7. Hydrate Your Diet
In winter, dehydration is common. Cold weather encourages many to drink hot drinks instead of good old water. Remember that hydration is essential for soft and smooth skin. Use this as motivation to keep drinking those eight cups a day.
Water is the key to hydration. However, you can also add more fluids to your diet during the winter by eating hydrating foods. Some of the most hydrating and healthy foods you can find in winter are celery, melon, spinach, grapefruit, carrots, and yogurt.
Don't settle for dry skin when winter hits. Use the tips in this post to get rid of seasonal dry skin forever by quickly and easily changing your daily routine.
