Winter is coming—once again. This means it’s time to start thinking about not only the changes in the weather, but what those changes mean for our skin. Tightness, chapped lips, and itchy, irritated skin are among some of the most common reactions our skin has to the colder temperatures and lower humidity levels. So how can we best prepare our skin in a way that helps us to avoid (or at least lower) the chances of dealing with those reactions?
Build a Skincare Barrier
During the more frigid months of the year, the goal is to hold onto the natural moisture your skin already has while adjusting your skincare routine to support opportunities for additional moisture.
Here are our top 5 ways to winterize your skin:
1. Switch to Hydrating Products:
When it comes to moisturizers, the winter season is a perfect time to make the switch to using moisturizers that may be a little thicker and richer than what you’d typically opt for in your skincare regime. For cleansers, you want to find a gentle cleanser that isn’t going to strip your skin of its natural moisture, but rather help to lock in what’s already there. If you have acne-prone skin, you’re still going to want to find a decent, hydrating lotion to follow up your acne treatments to help prevent any extra peeling or patches of dry skin from developing.
2. Limit Long, Hot Showers:
As tempting as they are, lengthy, hot showers (especially during the colder months of the year) are one of the top culprits for drying out your skin. Instead, try taking shorter showers with warm water or making sure to wash your face separately with cold water over the sink after your shower. Also, make sure to apply your moisturizer right away after washing your face so that your skin can begin to rehydrate.
3. Speaking of Hydration:
During the summer months, hydrating seems like a no-brainer. You’re active, sweating more than normal and typically outside a lot more often, so it’s easy to constantly have water at the forefront of your mind. However, during the winter months when you’re typically cooped up inside and less active, it’s easy to let your hydration game decrease a bit simply because you may not feel thirsty. But remember, just because you don’t feel as thirsty doesn’t mean that your body is in less need of hydration. If anything, your body is needing more hydration to help make up for the lack of humidity in the air. With skincare, working from the inside out is always key. Hydration is no exception.
4. Create a Skin Barrier at Night
Your skin does its best repair work while you sleep. This makes it the perfect time to lather on a rich moisturizer that includes occlusives (ingredients such as shea butter or petrolatum that form a seal on the skin) or even to use an overnight mask to really lock in the moisture while you sleep. This will help to ensure that you wake up to supple, glowing skin, even in the winter months.
5. Don’t Skip on the SPF
It’s a common myth that overcast skies means there are no sun rays to hide from. However, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays penetrate the clouds even on a grey winter day. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you’re still incorporating SPF into your skincare routine, daily.
These 5 ways to winterize your skin will help keep the harsh effects of the winter at bay!
The winter months are an opportune time to show your skin a little extra TLC. Our board-certified dermatologists at Texas Dermatology are here to make sure your skin stays hydrated and healthy all winter long! Contact us today at (210) 829-5180 to schedule an appointment, or click here to submit a request online.
Resources:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty/top-tips-for-healthy-winter-skin.aspx
