As the temperature drops, your skin can get irritated and dry. Experts recommend using a gentle cleanser, hydrating masks, and moisturizers to keep your complexion healthy.
The winter season strips the natural oils from the outer layer of your skin – a leading cause of dry, flaky, itchy skin. Try swapping lighter moisturizers for more decadent formulas, going easy on exfoliation, and using a calming cleanser to prevent dryness.
Apply Sunscreen
Everybody’s skin is different, and hormones, diet, and lifestyle influence everyone’s needs. But these winter skincare tips can help all skin types avoid common issues and get a little extra glow in the colder months.
The low humidity of winter can cause your skin to lose the natural oils that protect it and keep it hydrated. That can lead to dry, itchy skin and exacerbate conditions like psoriasis and eczema. You can help restore these vital oils by avoiding hot water, using a gentle cleanser, and rehydrating with a soothing moisturizer afterward.
It’s also essential to apply sunscreen year-round, especially in the winter. UV rays are just as intense in the winter, and snow can reflect them, so using a high SPF on any skin that isn’t covered by clothing is essential.
You can easily change your routine to make it more appropriate for winter without changing everything all at once. For example, you can swap out your foaming cleansers for milk or oil-based options and add a serum with barrier repair ingredients. A mask or soak can be a great addition to your routine for dehydrated skin. These bath and body care products, like those with the Adam & Eve promo code, combine humectants, emollients, and occlusives in optimal ratios to hydrate first and then lock in moisture.
Avoid Hot Water
A steamy hot shower feels oh-so-nice on a cold winter day, but it can dry your skin. A dermatologist and skincare expert says that turning up the heat robs your skin of natural oils that keep it hydrated and create a barrier against harmful pollutants.
Winter weather also causes low humidity and blustery winds that suck moisture from the environment, contributing to dryness, tightness, and dullness. She adds that these conditions can also exacerbate the appearance of common skin disorders such as rosacea and psoriasis.
When washing your face or body, use warm or lukewarm water instead of hot to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils. It would help if you also considered using a humidifier in your home to add moisture back into the air. Finally, you can use a serum or body lotion rich in emollients to lock in essential moisture and prevent it from escaping your skin.
These tips are essential for those with drier skin types. They should be part of a holistic approach to healthy skin, including drinking plenty of water and eating well. A good sunscreen is also essential. Choose a moisturizing and hydrating formula that contains an SPF of at least 30 or higher, and apply it regularly throughout the day.
Hydrate Your Skin
Winter weather can cause skin dryness and itchiness. This is due to cold air, snowstorms, wind, and lack of humidity. Dry conditions strip the outer layer of skin cells of moisture, which can lead to microscopic cracks and irritation, according to dermatologists.
A hydrating body cream or gel is the best way to keep your skin hydrated. You should apply the product all over your body, paying particular attention to areas prone to dryness, such as your hands, legs, elbows, and feet. You can also increase your hydration by drinking plenty of water, especially with added electrolytes.
Another critical step is to take shorter showers or baths and only use warm, not hot, water. It would help if you patted yourself dry afterward and immediately moisturized your skin. Additionally, suppose you have a chronic skin condition like psoriasis or eczema. In that case, using a fragrance- and dye-free moisturizing product containing ceramides, glycerin, or petroleum jelly is even more critical.
A serum with barrier repair ingredients is an excellent addition to your winter skincare routine. Products formulated with ceramides and fatty acids help strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and prevent moisture loss. This is a simple and effective way to help your skin stay healthy all season. You can find barrier repair products in many skincare brands, pharmacies, and drugstores.
Exfoliate Regularly
Winter weather can disrupt your skin barrier, leaving it feeling tight, flaky, and itchy. It’s incredibly challenging for dry skin types like eczema or psoriasis. But even those with normal, combination, or oily skin can experience these symptoms when the environment is harsh.
Cold air outdoors and warm, heated indoors throws your skin’s natural balance out of whack. This can make your face and body feel tight, itchy, and uncomfortable, regardless of skin type.
To avoid this, cleaning with a gentle formula that won’t strip the skin is essential. A good option is to choose a sulfate-free cleanser made without parabens. Avoid foaming formulas, as they can be drying to the skin. Instead, try a milk or balm cleanser that offers a gentle, deep clean that won’t irritate your skin.
In addition to cleaning, it is important to exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells and keep your complexion healthy. You can do this using a sugar or honey scrub, both gentle exfoliants. You can also use a moisturizing body cream after exfoliating to help lock in moisture. Choose a non-comedogenic cream that contains ingredients like niacinamide, which helps increase ceramide levels and fights uneven pigmentation, or a barrier repair cream, such as hydration Repair Cream, which is formulated with fatty acids from shea butter to provide an occlusive blanket of moisture for 24 hours.
