How to Keep Skin Soft and Glowing in Winter

When the winter months set in, you need to reevaluate your beauty regimen to keep the skin soft and glowing. Cold weather and low humidity make the skin dry, causing wrinkling, cracking and even bleeding.

You need to do more than just keep the skin warm during the winter. The best way to counteract the effects of the cold weather on the skin is by moisturizing it. Also, while nourishing your skin, don’t forget to give your hair some much-needed TLC to get through those dry winter days.

Here are some tips for protecting and keeping the skin hydrated and glowing during the winter.

Stay in a Moist Environment

The skin keeps the body hydrated by containing water inside it. During winter, the skin becomes cold and dry, and this makes water evaporate from it faster.

Take extra steps to keep the skin moist during the winter months. For example, drink more water than usual every day. Also, consider using a humidifier to keep your home or work area environment moist. Try to use distilled water in your humidifier as it is free from any pathogens and disease-causing microorganisms. If interested, you can buy a distilled water 5l bottle in order to use humidifiers for a longer period.

Eat Hydrating Foods

Take foods that can help to rehydrate the skin from the inside out. Foods such as leafy greens, melons, tomatoes, peppers, celery, zucchini, cucumber and citrus fruits have high water content and help to replenish body fluids.

The foods also boost your vitamins and minerals, ensuring your immune system is strong to keep winter colds away.

Take Cold Showers or Baths

While the weather is cold, hot water is not recommended for showers and baths at this time. Bathing or showering in hot water during the cold weather can make the skin surface crack and leave you with “winter’s itch”. Since hot water evaporates fast, you should moisturize the skin immediately after you get out of the bathroom.

If you have to take a hot bath, ensure the environment is moist by keeping the bathroom door shut. When you finish bathing and drying, moisturize the skin immediately.

Use Gentler Products

Using gentle cleansers is another skincare routine you should adopt during the cold months.

For the face, a bland cleanser like Cetaphil would be perfect. For the body, consider a more gentle cleanser, like Vanicream or Dove, which is moisturizing and does not strip moisture away from the skin.

If you are dealing with breakouts during winter, just use water on those areas. Otherwise, use products with glycerin and ceramides to protect the skin’s moisture barrier. You could also consider looking into squalane oil if you want to moisturize your skin and leave it feeling nourished through those cold winter months.

Use a Moisturizer Often

It’s important to moisturize the skin often during the winter to keep it hydrated. You should apply a thick moisturizer immediately after bathing and one more time during the day.

TIP: Apply a layer of oil on your body and face before a cream-based moisturizer to help maintain the hydration.

You can use body oils such as coconut oil before bathing to protect the skin hydration barrier before taking a warm bath. Essential oils such as rosehip oil, rose oil and argan oil also produce similar benefits. The oils are also easier on the face and prevent acne and other breakouts.

One skincare mistake you should avoid during the cold weather is using a lotion moisturizer instead of a cream one. Lotion moisturizers are not as thick as the cream counterparts.

During winter, use cream moisturizers as they do a better job of retaining body hydration. Moreover, avoid moisturizers with fragrances as they can irritate the skin.

Exfoliate Less

Consider your skin type before exfoliating during the winter. If you have dry skin, reduce the frequency or don’t exfoliate at all. Your skin would be dry due to the cold air and exfoliating can crack it.

If possible, reduce exfoliating to just once a week to keep the skin rejuvenated and allow the moisturizer to penetrate better.

Gentle Peel Pigmentation Repair

After summer, you may be worried about your skin pigmentation if you have brown spots from being in the sun. To get rid of the brown spots, don’t rush to use a harsh peel. Some harsh peels can break the barrier that keeps the moisture inside and leave the skin vulnerable to elements.

The best way of removing unsightly dark spots during the winter would be to start with a gentler peel with mild exfoliation. If the spots are on your face, you may wish to try something like this https://www.musely.com/spotcream dark spot corrector to help brighten the skin and conceal the spots.

Sunscreen for all Seasons

Sunscreen should not be restricted for the summer months only. Your skin still needs to be cared for during the cold weather. While the sun may not be shining during the winter, harmful UV rays do not take a break.

You can use a moisturizing sunscreen, which is a bit richer, to keep the skin glowing during winter. Even if you bundle yourself in heavy clothes, make sure you have sunscreened your face and any part of the skin that is exposed.

Follow the tips above to keep the skin hydrated and glowing this cold season.

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