Here are some winter skin care tips to keep your skin happy in the cold weather! I don’t know about everyone else, but my skin is always in its worst condition when temperatures drop. The cold, dry weather just seems to leave my hands cracked, my cheeks flaking, and my nose covered in oil. While my acne is more or less controlled these days, those rare breakouts tend to happen most frequently in the winter! Below is what I do to get some relief.
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Winter Skin Care Tip #1: Turn Down Your Shower Temperature
On a cold day, it’s hard not to take a long, hot shower. Unfortunately, hot showers can remove natural oils on the skin, leaving it dried and cracked. To protect your skin, shower at the lowest temperature you can handle, and moisturize immediately after drying off.
Winter Skin Care Tip #2: Drink Lots of Water
I find it harder to drink lots of water during the winter months because I’m never thirsty. However, your skin and other body organs need proper hydration during wintertime just as much as in the summertime! If drinking plain water is too boring, try changing things up by adding chopped fruit or a squeeze of lemon to your favorite beverage. Winter is the perfect time for a hot tea or even a hot chocolate (in moderation, of course)!
Winter Skin Care Tip #3: Wear SPF Lotion
The colder weather does not mean that you’re less at risk for sunburn and photoaging from UV rays. Always make sure to wear sun protection product, even when it’s cloudy outside. The one I use is Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence.
Winter Skin Care Tip #4: Moisturize Your Skin Regularly
I find that my skin actually tends to get oilier in the winter. This is because the skin compensates for lost moisture by producing more oil. While tempting, now is not the time to skimp on moisturizers.
Moisturizers come in four main forms (occlusives, humectants, rejuvenators, and emollients) thst can be used together to help the skin’s moisture barriers (also known as the stratum corneum) retain water. For more details about each individual moisturizer, you can check out my post here: Moisturizers: Benefits and Types
Winter Skin Care Tip #5: Add an Occlusive Moisturizer To Your Routine
If you haven’t already, add an occlusive moisturizer to your routine. Occlusives create a “water-fearing” hydrophobic layer on your skin’s surface, preventing moisture from escaping. This is especially useful during the cold, dry winter months, when osmosis causes the water molecules in the skin to escape into the dry surrounding environment. My current occlusive of choice is the Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream.
Winter Skin Care Tip #6: Try Using a Humidifier
Sometimes, the dry winter air is so overwhelming that your skin and sinuses are screaming for help. In this case, try using a humidifier to infuse some moisture back into the air and give some much needed relief to your skin and nose. Another option is to lock yourself in the bathroom and run some hot water to get the room steamy.
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Winter Skin Care Tip #7: Exfoliate Less Frequently
Exfoliation is important because it sloughs off dry skin cells and helps products better absorb. However, if the skin’s moisture barrier is already compromised by the cold and dry weather, then exfoliation can cause more harm than good. If you notice your skin feeling particularly dry and irritated after exfoliating, then it’s probably best to exfoliate less frequently to give it extra time to heal.
Top Winter Skin Care Tips: Final Thoughts
Winter can be brutal on the skin. However, with these simple tips, we can help our skin manage the elements until the spring thaw! Stay warm, everyone!
