11 Winter Skincare Tips That Will Leave Your Skin Feeling Soft And Supple
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The cool winter breeze can wreak havoc on delicate skin and leave it feeling itchy, dry, and irritated. The cold can leave your skin feeling pretty raw, while indoor heat can zap all the moisture from your skin and hair. Even the few things that make winter fun, like sitting by a campfire, can make your skin feel super dry afterwards. If you’re facing this during the winter months, you probably think there is no escape. But we are here to tell you that there is! There are plenty of tips you can follow to combat dry winter skin that you may be facing during winter. Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, most of us have been using hand sanitizers daily, which can also lead to our skin getting dry due to the drying properties of ethanol. Well, you won’t need to work about facing dry skin with the eleven winter skincare tips we have to offer you:
1. Switch Cleansers
If you are someone who has oily skin, then you probably use products like face washes, exfoliating scrubs, and moisturizers that are suited for it. However, during the winter months, your skin really needs that oil you are trying to get rid of, and hence you should switch to a hydrating face wash and moisturizer instead.
2. Have Lukewarm Showers
We usually tend to amp up the geyser heat to its highest for that steamy bath in the winters. But it is extremely bad for your skin. It might be tempting for you to take long, hot showers when it is freezing cold outside, but that’s the opposite of what your skin really needs. Hot water strips natural oils from your skin and causes it to dry out. Make sure that you keep water temperatures lukewarm and avoid soaking in the tub for too long.
3. Consider Investing In A Humidifier
Humidifiers are quite underrated in our homes. But it may be the best hack in winter. If you are working from home or a student who is living alone, we get your struggles. One of these is very relaxing as you can add essential oils. It will act as an air freshener, amp up the moisture content in the air, and help you release your stress. Using a humidifier in your office or home can add moisture to dry winter air and in turn, keep your skin well hydrated. Install a humidifier in the rooms that you spend the most time in. Once you start using one, you cannot live without it all through cold and chilly weather.
4. Look For An Ultra Hydrating Cream
Your usual moisturizer won’t cut it during winter. You need to ensure that you are using a cream instead of a lotion. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are two main ingredients to look out for. These will make your moisturizer more effective but not too heavy.
5. Opt For More Gentle Soaps
Make sure that you moisturize your skin with a gentle soap or ointment during the winter season. It’s also vital that you wash your hands daily to keep the germs off. You can use hand cream to help moisten your skin and leave it soft and supple. Constantly washing and sanitizing your hands can cause them to get dry, and hence, it’s a good idea to moisturize regularly. Avoid overly fragrant soaps as they are mixed with other ingredients which do not let the moisture take effect properly.
6. Make Sure You’re Using Sunscreen Even On Cold Days
Yes, wearing sunscreen during winters is very important. Even if you are someone who lives in an extremely cold country, the sun’s rays are pretty harsh. On bright days during winter, the snow can reflect the rays of the sun. So this means whether you are out shopping or simply playing in the snow, it’s essential for you to apply sunscreen often. Don’t be fooled by dreary dark winter days as the harmful UV rays permeate through clouds and still cause plenty of damage.
7. Avoid Exfoliating Too Often
Exfoliating your dry skin daily can help it look more soft and supple, but it’s not a good idea to scrub your skin daily as it can cause inflammation and make your skin dry and itchier. We all know the feeling of being clothed in multiple layers and feeling a big itch that you can’t even reach properly. The drier your skin, the more you will feel pin-type itching sensations creeping up. It’s better that you exfoliate once a week rather than two weeks like you would during summers.
8. Always Keep A Lip Balm On You
Skipping balm during winter is a risky decision as to the dry indoor heat, and cold wind can deplete layers of your lip’s natural protective barrier. Always keep in mind that your lips do not have oil glands that can keep them hydrated. A simple solution you can use is petroleum jelly, as it can create a protective coating on your lips and prevent you from dealing with painful, cracked lips. Make sure that you avoid licking your lips as much as possible as the enzymes in the saliva can increase swelling, irritation and even cause cracking.
9. Avoid Wearing Scratchy Fabrics
A sweater may be able to keep you warm, but wearing garments that are fashioned out of rough fibers like polyester and wool can irritate your skin pretty badly. The trick is to layer something under your woolen clothes to avoid skin irritation. If you want to prevent friction from the fabric you’re using; it’s a good idea to layer a cotton t-shirt underneath your outfit.
10. Eat Fatty Skin-Friendly Foods
You must eat omega-3s as they are essential for supple skin. Since skin can get very harsh and dry during the cool winter months, supplements and foods that contain omega-2 or omega-6 fatty acids like flaxseed oil or fish oil are beneficial for your skin. If you follow a low diet in both of these, it’s a good idea to eat two servings of fatty fish and take an omega-3 capsule daily. By fatty foods, we don’t mean melted cheese, potato, and fried stuff caked with oil. Just healthy foods that are rich in the above-mentioned nutrients is enough to make your skin glow.
11. Moisturize Immediately After A Shower
Many folks will advise you to moisturize your skin immediately after a shower, as this is significantly better than skipping applying moisturizer. Also, make sure that you use a moisturizing soap. During these months, stash your body moisturizer in or right outside your shower so that you can apply it to damp skin directly before you decide to step out.
It’s essential to keep all of these tips in mind if you want to see excellent results and feel a difference in the texture of your skin. Cold weather is always harsh on your skin as you hardly sweat and keep the toxins inside, which also makes your skin flaky due to lack of moisture. To avoid dull skin and dryness, a few of these steps will go a long way in looking fresh. While we’re not asking you to follow all of these tips to a tee, we guarantee that some of these tips will be helpful to you. Do let us know all of your thoughts in the comment section below.
