Skin Care Tips for Winter
Winter comes with several challenges and might affect your skin severely. Cold weather, coupled with low humidity, can dehydrate your skin. Your skin might end up cracking or bleeding if you don’t take the necessary precautions.
You don’t have to suffer through the effects of winter on your skin. Taking care of your skin helps reduce the consequences of this harsh season. Here are some skincare tips to help prevent dry, damaged skin during the colder months.
1. Use Warm Water
Spending hours in the cold can be very harsh on your skin. However, bathing and washing in warm water can reduce the consequences of cold weather on your skin. Be careful not to use excessively hot water, as it strips away the skin’s essential oils.
2. Moisturize Your Body and Skin
After showering, you should apply a moisturizer to your skin to enhance its dampness. Be sure to check the type of moisturizer you use, since some can dry the skin in winter because of the petroleum ingredients. Choose an oil-based moisturizer like lavender, jojoba, and chamomile, as they retain your skin’s moisture.
You should also plan to moisturize as part of your nightly routine. In general, whenever you notice your hands, knees, elbows, and feet feeling dry, think of moisturizing regardless of the time of day. Never ignore this dryness because it may make your skin start to crack.
3. Use a Humidifier
You are likely to turn on the heating unit almost daily during winter. Since the heating unit lets out dry air, installing a humidifier in your room is essential to put moisture back into the air. This will add some humidity to the room, minimizing the chances of your skin drying out.
4. Protect Your Skin When Outside
Avoid leaving your skin exposed when outside during winter and colder seasons. Wear scarves, hats, and gloves to protect you against the harsh weather and frigid winds. You can also wear titanium dioxide or zinc oxide sunscreen as it shields your skin from damage against the colder climate.
5. Hydrate Frequently
You are likely to drink hot beverages during cold seasons. However, hot drinks do not hydrate the body sufficiently enough if they’re a part of your regular diet. Instead, consider switching a mug of hot cocoa out for a glass of hot water with lemon.
Eat fruits and vegetables that aid in hydration, such as oranges, watermelons, celery, apples, zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatoes. For added benefits, ensure that whatever you choose is rich in vitamin C and zinc to maintain healthy and consistent collagen and elastin production.
6. Exfoliate
Consider exfoliating your skin frequently using the appropriate masks. Look for one that works well on your skin, especially your face, lips, and hands. Be careful not to overdo it with the exfoliants, since this may damage your skin. Be sure to apply moisturizer when done with exfoliating.
7. Use a Hydrating Face Mask
Make a homemade face mask using ingredients like almond oil, aloe, honey, and avocado. Ensure that you mix everything well and let it cool for at least 20 minutes before applying to your face. This mixture can be magical to your skin as it has plenty of hydrating and rejuvenating benefits.
8. Avoid Using Toxins
Your skin can be quite irritable if you have skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema. Cold weather can trigger flare ups that might damage your skin long-term. Always avoid using harsh detergents and irritating fabrics, as these can aggravate the issue. Try using organic ingredients and softer fabrics during the winter, including in the skincare products you use.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re searching for a skin specialist, book an appointment with Patrick L. Basile, M.D. Plastic Surgery & Wellness. Dr. Patrick Basile is a reconstructive surgeon and uses the latest technologies in all of his procedures, and can provide patients with a range of skincare products and skin-related treatments.
