Winter is here and we all need to prepare for the cold conditions. Our standard measure is to wrap ourselves in extra layers of clothes to keep warm. The trouble is, we tend to neglect our skin and how it is affected during the winter season. To help, we’ve come up with seven top winter skin care tips to look after your skin over the coming months. It details how you can keep your skin vibrant and healthy, despite the cold weather.
Winter skin care tips
1) Moisturise Frequently
Maximising the opportunity to moisturise keeps your skin refreshed. It clears away all dead skin cells and maintains the glow on your skin. Alternatively, you can use a mild exfoliant that contains fruit enzymes to clear dead skin cells. Be sure to moisturise on damp skin frequently, as moisture can clear away more quickly in the winter. You can even moisturise with the bathroom door closed to get effective results. This works because the bathroom maintains humidity, which opens up the pores on your skin, allowing the applied lotion to work at a deeper level in your skin. Remember, as the weather conditions change, your skincare routine should too. Try using an ‘oil based’ moisturiser, as it creates a thicker and more protective layer on the skin.
2) Use Sunscreen
Sunscreen isn’t just for summertime – the winter sun can damage your skin too on especially clear days. Skin damage can occur because UV rays from the sun interfere with the skin and can prevent it from staying hydrated. Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before heading outside to exposed areas such as face and hands. Reapply frequently if you’re outside for a long period of time.
3) Look after your Hands
Along with your face, the skin on your hands is exposed the most when going outdoors. Hands have a thin layer of skin, which is why they tend to be affected by the cold weather. It’s harder to keep your hands moisturised than any other part of the body because of its exposure to the elements. The cold weather can lead to itchiness and cracking of the skin on your hands. This can be prevented by wearing gloves when you go outside. Try to avoid wearing scratchy and irritating fabrics such as wool because when it rubs against your skin, it can cause irritation and scratching. If you do want to wear wool, be sure to put on a layer of cotton gloves first to avoid irritation. Also avoid wearing wet gloves in the cold weather conditions, as this can lead to itching, cracking or even eczema.
4) Get the Humidifier out
We all turn the central heating up at home because of how cold it is outside. Central heating systems spread hot dry air to keep us warm – but it’s not necessarily good for our skin. Although you might have moisturised, your skin drys out because of the hot dry air that spreads across your home or workplace. Using a humidifier is better for the skin and helps prevent it from becoming dehydrated. They work by retaining the air’s moisture and dispersing it evenly across the room.
5) Keep Hydrated
It’s important to keep yourself hydrated even in cold weather conditions. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin looking brighter, healthier and younger. Water is good for your overall health and your skin will benefit greatly from fluids. However, avoid sipping water from a bottle, as the water molecules left on the surface of the lips evaporate and this drys out the moisture from within the skin. If you do have a bottle, use a straw to avoid lips from drying out.
6) Take care of your Feet
Our feet go through so much that we tend to forget to look after them. They are affected differently in the summer compared to the winter. In the summer, it is easy to apply some lotion and relax. However, in the winter, your feet need some special attention. Try to find lotions that contain ‘petroleum jelly’ or ‘glycerine’. These will keep your feet moisturised no matter what they go through. Even if your feet feel a bit rough or hard, use exfoliants to get rid of the dead skin, as this will make moisturising much easier.
7) No Superhot Baths
This one may come as a shock – as there’s nothing better than soaking yourself in a hot bath after being out in the cold! However, the intensity of the heat that you soak yourself in actually breaks down the lipid barriers in your skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. Instead, you’re better off using warm water and staying in the bath or shower for a shorter amount of time. A warm bath with baking soda can help relieve parts of the skin that are so dry that it becomes itchy and irritating. That, as well as reapplying your moisturiser frequently, can stop you from itching dry parts of the skin.
