The persistent wind, rain and snow is not much fun during the winter and it can play havoc with your skin.
The cold weather can rob you of the vital moisture your skin needs to stay youthful and supple, leaving it dry, chapped and irritated.
You’re not safe inside either, as the warmth indoors can lead to further moisture loss, further exacerbating the issue.
Looking after your skin at this time of year can be tricky and with that in mind, we’ve put together a few tips to help you keep yours in good condition and looking youthful.
Tip 1 – Protect Yourself
Try and ensure that when you go out, that you place a barrier between your skin and the elements. Hats, scarves and gloves are a must, with some sunscreen thrown in for good measure for the areas you can’t cover with garments. The winter sun might not warm your face like it does during Summer, but it can be every bit as damaging to your skin.
Tip 2 – Invest in a Humidifier
There is an obvious necessity for heating systems to be used during Winter, but the problem is that as well as keeping us warm, they also dry out the air. This can really dry out your skin, which is why investing in a humidifier is a good move, especially for use in the bedroom, as they replace the air moisture that heating removes.
Tip 3 – Use Lukewarm Water
There’s nothing so appealing as a hot bath or shower on a cold day, but whilst it might feel good, it’s not terribly good for your skin’s condition. Wherever possible, choosing to wash your hands and face in lukewarm water will ensure that you don’t lose any of those vital oils from your skin’s surface.
Tip 4 – Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
One of the most important ingredients to healthy skin is hydration. Whilst it may feel better to have a warming drink during Winter, you need to drink lots of water and hydrate yourself from within. Get this part right and you’re halfway there!
Tip 5 – Use an Oil Based Moisturiser
Whilst all moisturisers claim to do the same thing, those that contain ingredients derived from petroleum can actually serve to cause more dryness issues than they solve. Aim to use a natural oil based moisturiser and you’ll help your skin to retain more of its moisture during Winter.
Tip 6 – Exfoliation
Clearing the skin’s surface of dead cells is important, because if you don’t, then less moisture is going to be able to pervade down into your living cells. An exfoliating mask is something that can help and not just on your face either, but also on your hands. Follow this with a suitable moisturiser and you’ll notice a big difference in your skin’s condition.
Tip 7 – Use a Mild Cleanser
If you’re someone who suffers with sensitive skin, you’ll find that your problems worsen during the winter and the cleanser you use might not be helping. Some brands of standard cleanser contain chemicals that can irritate the skin, so opt for milder, hydrating varieties that don’t contain salicylic or glycolic acid.
Tip 8 – Choose a Skin Friendly Clothes Detergent
Not enough people put a lot of thought into which clothes detergent they use, preferring to go for whatever’s cheapest or has the best advertising. If you use the wrong, harsh type of detergent to wash the clothes you wear every day, your skin could end up suffering. There are plenty of brands on the market that are kind to the skin, so finding one shouldn’t be too difficult.
In Summary
As they say “if you look after your skin, your skin will look after you” and the reason this phrase is popular, is because it’s true. Employ even just a few of the tips from our list and you should see a significant improvement in the softness and overall condition of your skin during the colder months of the year.
We hope you’ve found our blog of use to you and that it helps you protect your skin this Winter. Just remember to wrap up against the elements, hydrate and stay looking as young and fabulous as you know you are.
