As winter temperatures take a nosedive, so does the moisture in your skin. If you are lucky, you may only suffer from general dryness or a tightening of your skin. However, many people experience cracking, flaking, and even eczema.
Between the freezing temperatures outside and the smoldering heat inside, your skin undoubtedly needs additional TLC during the winter months. The following skin care tips for winter are simple and easy ways to ensure your skin maintains its gorgeous, illustrious glow.
Maximize Your Moisturizer with the Right Moves
When applying moisturizer, it’s important you use the following key moves:
- Get Rid of Dead Skin by buffing your face twice a week with a mild exfoliant with fruit enzymes or a jojoba-bead scrub. Dead skin cells prevent the moisturizer from sinking into your skin. The best process is to have facials on a regular basis.
- Use Lotion on Damp Skin by using the moisturizer as soon as you step out of the shower. You have about a three-minute window for optimum results. If you wait any longer, the moisture you already have in your skin will start to disappear. You can lock it in by applying lotion within this three minute window.
- Moisturize with Your Bathroom Door Closed because it helps keep the humidity locked in your bathroom.
- Use Moisturizer Sprays to reach where your hands can’t. It’s best to use these products while you are still in the shower with the water off. You may also want to place a mat outside of the shower to prevent slipping.
Kiss Dry Lips Goodbye
During the winter months, your lips probably take it the hardest. However, you can lock in moisture with thick lip ointments.
Some of the best products on the market contain Aquaphor! Aquaphor healing ointment is a petrolatum balm that works wonders on cracked skin, lips, and minor cuts.
It’s vital to use a thick ointment like Aquaphor because the digestive enzymes in your saliva breaks down your skin. This ointment provides another layer of protection to render soft, supple, and kissable lips no matter the temperature.
Kick Thin Lotions to the Curb
Everyone loves those thin scented lotions during the summer months! However, during the winter months, you should kick those lotions to the curb and step up to the stronger stuff. It’s best to use lotions that have glycerin or petroleum jelly.
You should also make sure to utilize exfoliants to remove dead skin on your feet, which helps ensure the moisturizer sinks deep in your skin.
Soak Up Sunscreen
Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen isn’t just for summer time. The winter sun (bolstered by glare from snow) can also damaged your skin.
It’s best to utilize a broad-based spectrum sunscreen for your skin, especially if it’s exposed to the sun. Make sure to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside, and reapply if you’re outside for long periods.
Hydrate with a Humidifier
During the cold winter months, space heaters and central heating systems blast dry, hot air throughout offices and homes. However, humidifiers are designed to increase the moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out.
You can position multiple small humidifiers throughout your home or office to increase the dispersion of moisture in the space.
Helps Your Hands
The skin on your hands have fewer oil glands and is much thinner than the rest of your skin. As a result, it’s even more difficult to keep your hands moist, especially in winter’s dry, cold weather. These unfavorable conditions commonly lead to cracking and itchiness.
You can overcome this problem by wearing gloves anytime you go outside. Before you put the gloves on, make sure you moisturize your hand soft, supple, and ready to touch.
Just Say No to Wool
Synthetic and wool fibers are extremely popular during winter months. However, these fibers will rub against your skin and even cause irritation issues. It’s best to wear a layer of cotton underneath the wool to act as a buffer between the wool and your skin.
Drink to Your Health
Water does wonders for your overall health and helps to keep your skin looking young. During the super dry winter climate, it becomes even more important to drink a minimum of eight 8-ounce glasses of water. When it comes to drinking water, the more the better (within reason, of course).
Talk to the Pros for Exclusive Skin Care Tips for the Winter
If you go to your local pharmacy, you may be hard pressed to find someone to give you good skin care advice. The premier solution is to visit a licensed esthetician for all of your skincare needs.
Your esthetician will be able to analyze your skin and make suggestions for the best skincare products based on the individual makeup of your skin.
Don’t leave your skin out in the cold this winter! Schedule a consultation with one of the experienced estheticians at EBJ Skin & Wellness Centre today.