Winter is coming… and it wants to dry out your skin. As summer comes to a close and the temperature continues to drop, our fragile flesh will threaten to dry and crack until we resemble crocodiles that were left out in the sun. Luckily, there are some measures you can take to prevent this and keep your skin shiny and smooth.
Moisturize
Applying moisturizer is one of the best ways to prevent dry, flaky skin. You’ll see the best results when moisturizing before and after going outside for extended periods of time, as well as immediately after exiting the shower. When going to work, bring a small bottle of lotion so you can reapply after the commute. Another reason to lather up is if you exfoliate your face in the morning or at night, it’s good to lather it up with a high-quality moisturizer directly after.
Your face is the most important area to keep protected, but don’t neglect other areas of your body as well, such as your arms, elbows, knees, and feet. If when moisturizing your feet you happen to notice a lump on the side of your foot, it could be a bunion that has formed. This might have developed as a result of dry feet being crammed into tight boots.
Drink Up
You know to stay hydrated during the summer when the sun is scorching and your body is sweaty profusely, but you might not associate that same mindset in the winter. It’s just as important to drink fluids when it’s frosty outside, as the dry air can cause your skin to crack and redden. Continuing to take in the liquid will hydrate your skin from the inside and help maintain its condition. Water is best, but if you’d rather drink something warmer there’s hot tea. Coffee, hot chocolate, and pumpkin-based drinks are fine, too, but won’t hydrate you as well as water and are full of sugar.
Embrace the Cold
Nothing feels better than coming in from the snow and hopping straight into a warm shower. However, nothing is better at drying your skin out, too. Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils and causes it to flake. If you’ve got the willpower, turn the heat down to lukewarm–or even cold, if you’re feeling extra tough–to keep from damaging your skin. Try to avoid applying exfoliants after a shower as well, as it can further dry your skin out when the air is so much drier than it usually is.
Break Out the Humidifier
Sometimes when the air is dry and your night-time moisturizer isn’t doing the trick, you need a little extra help keeping your skin hydrated. An additional way to do this is to set up a humidifier in your bedroom. Doing this will return moisture to the air in the room and give your skin a nightly repair.
Humidifiers can decrease redness, dryness, itchiness, and skin flaking. If you already have one tucked away in the garage or a closet, plug that bad boy in for the winter; if you have never tried one before, you can purchase one relatively cheaply. They will essentially act as an organic moisturizer, but fear not, your bedroom will not transform into a mini rainforest.
Closing Thoughts
Keeping your skin healthy is always important, especially in the winter season when the cold wind is constantly pummelling you with frost. If you typically suffer from flaky, dry, red, or cracked skin in the winter, do yourself a favor and utilize these tips.
Images from BEAUTY SCENE EXCLUSIVE: Lost Out Here by Lyubov Pogorela – See the full story here
