During the winter the humidity is very low and as a result the skin may easily become dehydrated. The most important thing you should remember and the best way to keep your skin soft and smooth during the winter months is to keep your whole body hydrated.During the winter your skin may change dramatically but it will normalize itself once the cold months and the low humidity are over. Unfortunately many women don’t know how to take care of their skin during the colder months of the year and the results aren’t very pleasant – their skin becomes drier due to the dehydration, more sensitive, the skin loses its elasticity and the signs of aging become more noticeable.
We offer you a few steps you should follow in order to keep your skin healthy-looking, supple and soft during the winter.
1. Your skin still needs moisture
One big misconception is that the thermal sprays and the hydrating creams are only for the summer. If your skin feels too dry and taut during the winter months it simply means that it needs more moisture. So buy hydrating sprays, moisturizing serums and hydrating masks. Avoid using face soaps or lotions containing alcohol as they can make your skin even drier. Even those women with oily skin should cleanse their skin with a cleansing mils or lotions that are alcohol-free during the winter. If your skin becomes hypersensitive during the colder months of the year choose cleansing products with neutral pH.
2. Change your face cream or moisturizer
It’s not true that during the winter your cream or moisturizer have to be heavy and thick. One interesting fact is that during the winter your skin type may change. For example, if your skin is oily it can become normal; the normal skin may become dry and the dry may become hypersensitive, but these changes will last only during the winter months as the humidity, the temperatures change the skin. During the winter the air contains less moisture which can make your skin look dull and dehydrated. Your best choice , no matter your skin type will be a hydrating cream containing vitamins, essential oils and nourishing ingredients – Aloe Vera, Chamomile extract, honey, Olive Oil.
If your skin is oily you can use your usual face cream buy you can add a moisturizing serum or fluid to your skin care routine.
If your skin is dry look for a product containing lipids, fatty acids, essential oils, glycerin or wax.
If your skin becomes reddish due to the cold you should use specially designed products for sensitive skin against redness and broken capillaries.
3. Moisturize your whole body
You should exfoliate your body once a week to remove the dead skin cells and to improve your blood circulation. Moisturize your skin every time after taking a shower. Choose an oilier hydrating body milk or body lotion to hydrate, soften and nourish your skin. If your skin is very dry or sensitive you can use baby oil or a body oil formula to moisturize and nourish your skin deeply. Apply baby oil immediately after the shower, while your skin is still wet to trap the moisture in your skin and apply the oil generously. The winter’s wind is not good for your skin, so make sure your skin is covered – always wear gloves, a hat and a scarf – they will prevent the brutal winter weather from causing excessive dryness.
4. Take care of your hands
It’s essential to moisturize your hands during the cold winter months, especially before you go out. Choose a hand cream that contains vitamins and other nourishing ingredients. Apply the cream at least twice a day to keep your hands soft and well-moisturized. Feel free to apply a little bit of your hydrating face mask to your hands to nourish and moisturize them in deep.
5. Don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun
Using a sunscreen isn’t only for the hot summer months. The winter’s UVA and UVB rays are as harmful as the summer’s. Look for a sunscreen that offers sun protection (SPF 15 or higher) and apply it over your moisturizers or over your face cream to prevent brown spots, redness and skin discolorations. Most of the sun protecting products contain essential oils, cocoa butter, coconut oil, olive oil and Aloe Vera that not only protect the skin from the UV rays but also make the skin smooth and silky.
6. Protect your lips
Chapped lips are something very common during the winter months. The skin on your lips is very delicate and sensitive and becomes dehydrated very easily. An oilier lip balm is the best way to prevent chapped and sore lips. Use a lip balm with moisturizing ingredients, Vaseline or petroleum jelly to keep your lips moist and soft. Another way to prevent chapped lips is to exfoliate them with the aid of a mild exfoliator and a toothbrush in order to remove the dead cells. Nowadays there are lip balms that offer sun protection ( with SPF 15 or higher) which are a great choice both for the summer and the winter months. Wax balms are best for preventing dry, chapped lips.
Recommended skincare products for the winter:
Nivea Body Essentially Enriched Daily Lotion for Very Dry, Rough Skin ($8) – gives your skin the intensive moisture it needs. Dramatically reduces dryness.
LancГґmeВ NUTRIX – Soothing Treatment for Dry to Very Dry/Sensitive Skin ($42) – It rehydrates patches of severe dryness everywhere: face, lips, hands, even elbows and knees as it leaves skin calmed, smoothed, and shielded from weather extremes.
Sephora SuperStars – Super Shield Skin Saver SPF 15 ($10) – ultra-light, oil-free, and absorbs quickly, leaving pores clog-free and your skin with the most advanced UVA/UVB protection available.
Nivea Hand Smooth Indulgence Hand Cream ($6) – helps repair dry hands for touchably smoother, softer skin. Contains natural minerals and taurin to enhance the skin’s natural moisture.
Avene Thermal Water Lip Balm ($13) – Contains Avene Cold cream to nourish and relieve dry, rough lips. Can be used under lipstick.
Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 ($3.50) – Contains PABA-free SPF 15 sunblocks to guard against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Keep lips smooth and moisturized.
source: beauty advise
