Winter Skin Care Tips

Winter months may present more challenges for keeping your skin soft and smooth than any other time of year.The cold and wind, the artificial indoor heat, the lack of fluids and even the sun can do a lot of damage to the delicate skin of your face – and your hands, body and feet. So right now, with the winter upon us, it’s time to switch to your winter beauty routine.

Let’s start with a simple change to your facial cleansing and moisturizing products. For your winter cleanser, choose a milky or creamy product followed by an oil rather than a water-based moisturizer. Oil will leave a protective layer that locks the moisture in better.

To really nourish your skin and enjoy a wonderful soft and supple texture, add a few drops of vitamin E oil to your bubble bath or apply directly to your skin.

Moisturizers are not just for your face, during the winter and throughout the year. The cold, dry air will play havoc with your hands which have fewer oil glands and is thinner than most other areas of your body.

Wear gloves and find lotions that contain glycerine. These products work well on your feet, as well. Use an exfoliant, from time to time, to remove the dead skin cells and allow the skin to better absorb the moisturizers.

Winter sun (combined with the glare of the snow) can be harmful and damaging to your skin. So do apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and any part of your body that might be exposed. And re-apply often.

As for the soothing warmth of the indoor heaters and dryers, balance them with several humidifiers, placed in different rooms, to add more moisture back into the air and keep your skin from drying, cracking and peeling.

An additional word about the joys of coming into the heat after a period of time out in the cold. Warm is better than hot. As good as it sounds, “a nice hot bath” is really not so nice for your skin. It helps draw the moisture away. Instead, keep the water warm and add some oil, as suggested above, and soak only for 15 minutes or so.

And finally, if your skin is feeling dry, tight or uncomfortable, avoid harsher treatments such as alcohol-based toners or clay-based masks. Find products that are hydrating rather than those that remove the moisture from your skin.