The cold, blustering conditions winter weather brings us comes with the undesired presence of dry, itchy, cracked and irritated skin. It’s a difficult time of the year for anyone’s skin, but these tips and tricks will surely help relieve, nourish and hydrate your skin back to its healthy and smooth self:
Lower the thermostat
It makes complete sense to want to crank up the heat when temperatures are so low outside, but central heat can make the air in your home even drier. Try keeping the thermostat at a cool and comfortable setting. Simply wear more clothes during the day instead of turning up the heat, and use more blankets on your bed at night.
Moisturize frequently
The most optimal time to moisturize your skin is right after you wash your body. Applying moisture to damp skin helps seal that dampness into the skin. Make sure to stick to mainly creams or ointments that go for an oil-based rather than a water-based solution, as they’re more likely to help your skin retain moisture in the winter.
Stick to fragrance-free cleansers
Regular bar soaps may contain irritating ingredients and fragrances that ultimately dry out the skin. You can also try using only the mildest of soap on your body, or none at all. Most of the time, water and a little rubbing, or water and a washcloth in the shower, are probably enough, so limit your lathering to only the most necessary areas.
Drink lots of water and eat right
Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water should be common sense when thinking about hydrating your skin, but eating foods high in water content can also help hydrate your skin from the inside out.
Make a DIY moisturizer mask
By using natural moisturizing ingredients, you can make your own DIY moisturizing mask that is sure to help hydrate and rejuvenate your skin. You’ve likely used aloe vera to soothe sunburned skin, but aloe vera can also be used to remedy dry skin. Adding a cucumber to the mix will contribute cooling and cleansing properties as well.
Avoid super long and hot showers
The temptation of taking a nice, long shower after a cold day spent outside is hard to turn down — but if you do manage to resist, your skin will thank you. Try sticking to a 5- to 10-minute lukewarm shower over a hot one to avoid stripping as many oils away from the skin. Washing your hands in cooler water can be as effective at removing germs as warm water and is less irritating to skin.
Invest in a humidifier
The heat that keeps you warm in your home is also very dry, so use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. Investing in a humidifier also clears your sinuses, so it's a double whammy against dry winter skin.
Use hydrating makeup
During cold months, replace drying powder makeup with creamy formulas that contain hydrators like glycerin and vitamin E can really help in keeping your skin soft and moisturized. You can also try using coconut oil to remove makeup, because it does so without drying out your skin.
