Have you ever noticed how your skin responds to the changing seasons? If so, you’ve likely noticed that your skin often seems to get drier and flakier in colder winter months.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of dry skin include:
• flakiness or scaliness
• redness
• rough texture
• itchiness
• raw, irritated skin
• cracks in your skin
• stinging or burning
If smooth, soft skin is something you’ve been craving in winter, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s how to take care of your skin in winter–starting now
- Avoid Hot Water
According to the Baylor College of Medicine, hot water can strip away your skin’s natural oils faster than lukewarm water (which is typically around 98.6°F/37°C), and possibly even cause damage.
If you come out of the shower and your skin is irritatingly red and itchy, it’s a sign that you’ve overdone it.
2. Moisturize right after washing
Any time you wash your face, hands, or body, you strip your skin of its natural oils. Since these oils help to lock in moisture, it’s vital to replace them. That’s why it’s important to use a moisturizer any time you wash your skin, especially in winter.
As a helpful reminder, try stocking a bottle of moisturizer next to your sink and keep a travel-size moisturizer with you when you’re on the go.
3. Exfoliate for excellent skin.
It may be the last thing on your mind when you have dry, itchy skin, but there are benefits to exfoliating your skin during winter. Not only will it take off the dry, dead skin cells, but it also helps you regenerate new ones. Your skin will thank you for using natural.
4. Apply sunscreen daily
Dr Hextall says that, just because it is winter, it doesn’t mean you should put away your suncream. ” We may reach for the sunscreen automatically during the warmer months, but sunscreen is just as important during winter to shield from those harmful UVs.
Try adding a layer of sunscreen each morning after you’ve applied a moisturizer. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
5. Drink lots of water.
When it’s cold outside we often forget to drink enough water throughout the day, but this is just when low humidity is most likely to strip our poor skin of its moisture.
Another key step to keeping your skin healthy and glowing is to make sure you’re staying well hydrated throughout the day. Not taking in enough fluid can affect the appearance of your skin and also make it more susceptible to drying out.
6. Use a humidifier
Humidifiers help to add moisture back into the air, which can be especially helpful when indoor heating is cranked up in the winter months. Having more moisture in the air can help act as a natural moisturizing agent which, in turn, may prevent and relieve skin dryness.
