WINTER SKINCARE: IT’S TIME TO BOOST YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE

Snow-covered landscapes can look gorgeous in the winter, but the chilly season isn’t as kind to skin, so it’s time to ramp up your beauty routine. As the weather gets frosty and the wind blows, your skin undergoes negative changes unless you protect it.

The cold narrows your blood vessels, and without a routine to combat the chill, you could end up with dull, dry skin. Flakes and cracks are unpleasant and uncomfortable, but you can adopt a winter beauty regimen to banish dryness and keep your skin supple and dewy. Here’s how.

Your skin’s enemies exist indoors and outside in the winter months. You’re likely to hygge up and snuggle at home with the central heating on, which can dry your skin, leaving it flaky and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the cold weather when you step into the open air also affects your skin, and you need to shift from your usual regimen to a hydrating winter routine.

Hydration will ensure your skin is soft and supple. It’s helpful to work from within your body by consuming plenty of liquids, and the natural antioxidants in green tea and yerba mate tea can help stave off dryness, so drink them daily.

CLEANSE PROPERLY

Make gentle cleansing part of your winter skincare routine too. You’ll know your current cleanser is too harsh for you if it leaves your skin taut after you use it. Chances are it’s damaged the skin barrier, and you need to swap it for a hydrating cleanser.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN WITH SPF (SUN PROTECTION FACTOR)

It’s a misconception that your skin doesn’t need protection from the sunshine in the winter. Even when the sun doesn’t peek from behind the clouds, your skin is in danger from ultraviolet light, so apply sunscreen.

For added skin hydration, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with humectants like lactic acid and glycols. They will help your skin stay moist this winter. Mineral sunscreens have moisturizing benefits for the skin too. Look for those containing titanium or zinc oxide.

REMOVE DEAD SKIN

Hard, dead skin can build on your elbows, knees, and feet in the winter. Include exfoliation in your winter skincare routine, and you won’t develop skin problems like cracks in your soles and at the sides of your feet. Use a pumice stone to remove skin buildup, but be gentle. Small, circular movements and light pressure will do the trick.

Use an oil-based scrub on the rest of your body and gentle face scrub on the delicate skin around your eyes and across your cheeks. Rinse with lukewarm water and repeat the exercise each week.

APPLY A HEAVIER MOISTURIZER

If you currently use a skin lotion, swap it for a heavier cream. Choose a moisturizer to suit your particular skincare needs and massage it in for half a minute whenever you use it, preferably night and morning, and whenever your skin feels dry. You can also use it after a hot shower or bath. Healthy ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid, retinol, green tea, cranberry seed oil, fatty acids, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

Keep a moisturizer in prominent places, like the bathroom and kitchen, and apply it after washing your hands. You might need to moisturize them more than usual if you also use alcohol-based antibacterial soap and other products that wreak havoc with hydration.

TREAT THE SKIN UNDER YOUR EYES

Icy winds affect the area underneath your eyes. This part of your face is vulnerable because the skin is thin, so use an eye cream, but be gentle. Dab several, half a pea-size, dollops of cream on the skin above your cheekbones and pat them with care. Do so first thing in the morning and before you go to bed at night.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR LIPS

STAY HYDRATED

Start by upping your water intake. Aim for eight glasses a day, or more if you can. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep skin cells plump and prevents them from drying out. You can also use a humidifier to add moisture to the air and help prevent your skin from drying out.

The winter weather is punishing for your skin, but you can ramp up your beauty routine and increase moisture. Shed old skin cells, so there’s a healthy turnover, and combat the drying effects of the wind and chilly temperature for radiant, supple skin.

References:

Harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a13700536/winter-skin-tips-from-a-dermatologist/. Huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/winter-sunscreens-sun-protection_l_618db260e4b04e5bdfcdee8c. Health.com/beauty/winter-skin-care-routine-dermatologist.

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