Because maintaining your skin in the winter is just as important as in the summer!
1. Moisturize Often & Routinely!
Using a rich, hydrating moisturizer, especially after washing your face or showering, will help maintain the hydration of your skin. If able, applying moisturizers while the skin is still damp helps the hydration reach more deeply. Depending on your skin type, an oil-based moisturizer as opposed to a water-based one may be more effective.
Pro tip: Don’t forget about your lips! Use a SPF lip balm to protect your lips from chapping.
2. Use Gentle Cleansers & Limit Hot Showers
Use a mild, fragrance free hydrating cleanser (or oil-based if your skin is naturally dryer or more sensitive) to avoid dry skin. Using harsh soaps can strip the skin's natural oils, leaving your skin less protected from free radicals and the weather.
Avoid long hot showers. Believe it or not, water can dry out your skin, too, and thought it feels good, bathing in hot water for too long can leave your skin seeking out more hydration. Opt for lukewarm water instead.
Pro tip: Gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing vigorously to avoid breaking the skin's natural barrier.
3. Use a Humidifier!
Indoor heating can significantly dry out the air. Using a humidifier in your home, especially in your bedroom, can help maintain the moisture in your skin through maintaining the moisture in the air.
4. Apply sunscreen daily
Yes! Even in the winter seasons, your skin is still prone to sunburns. More mild, perhaps, but still a risk with UV ray exposure that can cause damage. Using a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30 on your face and hands will lessen the risk of skin cancer.
5. Protect Your Skin From the Elements!
Wear gloves, scarfs, and hats to shield your skin from cold, dry wind and UV rays. Both can agitate and dehydrate the skin, leaving chapped and even sometimes cracked skin behind. For hands, use a rich hydrating cream and apply it regularly to avoid dryness and chapping.
—Emily Iverson, Lead & Licensed AP Esthetician