As winter begins to come into full view and the weather changes, our skin tends to be what shows it the most. Why sacrifice your skin for those classic winter wonderland pictures we all know and love? Here are some ways you can help keep your skin survive the winter and avoid looking like a zombie. However, just because these tips are most successful during winter time, it does not mean that you cannot apply them all year round and keep your skin looking as beautiful as ever!
1. Use a soap-free cleanser.
Soaps strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it defenseless against the cold and harsh winds of winter. Although soap is important in the cleansing process, it is not always necessary because there are many different ingredients that can achieve the same effect without removing natural oils. If you have dry skin, then a soap-free cleanser is especially great for you during these months. For oily skin, there are options that will not make your skin more oily after cleansing your skin, you just need to do some research. Some products to try include Cetaphil's skin cleanser and Yes To Blueberries Smoothing Cleanser.
2. Think "skin/water/moisturizer/sandwich".
Moisturizers prevent your skin from getting drier, but do not help make it more hydrated. By putting water onto the skin before moisturizer, you are keeping as much moisture in your skin as possible. This "sandwich" is an easy way to remember the correct order in which you should apply water and moisturizer to make sure your skin is very protected outside. Your skin feels the effects of the cold the most and without any protection, you will start to see it. If you do not want to feel dry and see your skin change like this, then make sure you are putting in the effort!
3. Invest in a cool water humidifier.
Heating systems leave the room with just dry air and suck the water out of your skin. NOT GOOD! Although heaters keep you warm in the winter, they are very detrimental to the skin, so why not purchase a gadget that will last a while and stop your skin from feeling like a cactus? Similar to a regular humidifier that you would use when sick, a cool water humidifier helps bring back the cold moisture in the air to rehydrate your skin. They are very good and some even come with two settings for both cold and warm water so you do not need two different humidifiers. Try one of TaoTronics's cool mist humidifiers.
4. Keep a lip balm.
Utilize one with lots of benefits, moisture, and staying power with you at all times. You have the tendency to peel dry skin off your lips instead of letting them heal, which is very bad. Rather than doing this when your lips are dry from the cold, put a good lip balm or salve on to protect and nourish them. Once again, try using "skin/water/moisturizer/sandwich". It will help you remember what to put on your skin first and it will help. If you search for them, you can find lip balms that are specifically made for drier climates and drier lips. See #2. Check out these products by First Aid Beauty, Glossier, and Sephora.
5. Select hypoallergenic makeup.
If you have sensitive skin, try adding some hypoallergenic makeup into your routine during these months to prevent drying of the skin. Hypoallergenic makeup is great to use all year round and even for people who do not have sensitive skin, but want to stop the drying process. The key to finding hypoallergenic makeup is to look at the ingredients it is made with. Sometimes, the brand includes a sticker or label that tells you if certain products or all of their products are hypoallergenic. These products are made with fewer ingredients that can cause allergic reactions, so they are great for people with allergies as well!
6. Do not forget sunscreen.
Even though it is winter and usually dark out, you are still being exposed to those pesky UV rays. This is one misconception that has been around for years. You believe that just because the sun is not out and you cannot visibly see it, that you are not receiving UV rays. It is important to protect yourself with sunscreen so that you are at a lower risk for skin cancer. This is such an easy step to incorporate into your routine, especially if you have SPF in your moisturizer. You can even purchase foundation that has SPF included in it.
7. Moisturizing requires timing.
The best time to moisturize is after showering. A moisturizer with lots of mineral oil is good for this time of the year because it makes the moisturizer thicker. By using a thicker moisturizer, it will help keep the moisture in your skin better than a regular moisturizer. These can be used all year round as well if you have drier skin. Do not forget about "skin/water/moisturizer/sandwich". It really does work!
8. Apply on repeat.
It is important to apply moisturizer and lip balm multiple times a day. This is simple, but very effective in protecting your skin against the cold. You do not need a schedule. Simply reapply whenever you feel it is necessary or that your skin is getting a bit dry. Once you start doing this regularly, it will not feel like an extra step during the day.
