Trendy accessories and gorgeous
cashmere sweaters will hardly make a difference to your appearance if you skin
looks tired, dull and dry this winter. While winter can bring that rosy glow to
your cheeks, it also can make your skin uncomfortably dry on the face, hands
and feet. For some people, winters can
be extremely problematic, as the dry cold can cause flaking and cracking of
skin. Regardless of which category you fall in, you can now keep your skin
healthy and moist with these skin care
tips.
Get
Hold of a Specialist
If you are the type of person who
picks up her moisture from a drugstore, do not expect to find a salesperson to
dole out expert advice. You need to invest your money and time in seeking out a
qualified esthetician, who can analyze your skin and recommend the best winter skin care possible. The esthetician
also will recommend the products you should be using on your skin. Remember, it
is not always necessary to buy expensive products, as inexpensive products can
work just as well on your skin. It is important that your skin feel soft,
supple and moist when you use a product. So stop worrying about the cost.
Moisturize
More Often
Just because a moisturizer
managed to keep your skin soft and supple during spring and summer, it does not
mean it is ideal for winter. Your skin care regimen should change in winter.
These are the things you should be looking for:
- Invest
in an oil-based moisturizer. Such a moisturizer will form a protective
layer on your keep and help to keep the moisture in.
- Make
sure the moisturizer contains oils that do not clog your pores. The oils
that do not plug your pores include primrose oil, almond oil, avocado oil
and mineral oil.
- Buy
a lotion that contains humectants, such it will help to attract moisture
to your skin. You should look for lotions containing alpha-hydroxy acids,
sorbitol or glycerine.
Once you have the lotion and
moisturizer, moisturize your skin twice a day – once in the morning and once
again at night. Try to slather moisturizer on damp skin (after a bath) to seal
in the moisture and keep your skin soft and supple.
Do
Not Forget Your Sunscreen
Just because the day is dark,
dull and gloomy it does not mean you should forgo your sunscreen before
venturing outdoors into the cold. On the contrary, winter sun and the glare
from the snow can wreak havoc with your skin. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen
and apply 30 minutes before venturing outdoors. If you intend spending a long
time outside, carry along your sunscreen to reapply.
TLC
for Your Hands
Most people are always worried
about their face in winter and tend to forget that hands also need some tender
love and care. This is especially true in winter, as the skin on the hands is
thinner than other parts of the body and it also does not have too many
sebaceous glands. As a result, hands tend to get dry very quickly in cold
season which can lead to skin irritation and itchiness. Use a moisturizer
especially formulated for hands to keep the skin supple and moist. In addition,
when venturing out, don a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the cold as
well as the dry air.
Get
that Humidifier Going
Heating is a welcome respite from
the chills of winter. However, most heating systems emit hot, dry air and this
can leach the moisture from your skin. To prevent your skin from drying out
indoors, install humidifiers throughout the house. This will ensure the air
inside your home is humid and this will your skin from drying out.
Hydrate
Your Body
If you check out skin care tips,
most will advise you to drink a minimum of 8 glasses every day to keep your
skin young-looking and hydrated. However, this is a misconception. The amount
of water you drink does not show on your skin. By drinking plenty of water
daily, you will flush out the toxins and other waste materials from your body,
some of which may adversely affect the wellbeing of your skin. So drink water
for overall health, which includes healthy skin.
Greasy
Feet is a Must
While those sweet-smelling foot
lotions are great for summer, your feet need something stronger in winter. Opt
for foot lotions containing glycerine or petroleum jelly. Once a week exfoliate
your feet to get rid of dead skin cells. This will allow the foot lotion to
penetrate deep into your skin and help moisturize your feet and keep them soft
and beautiful.
Forget
Peels and Astringents
If after all the moisturizing you
still feel your face is dry and the skin feels stretched, it is time to put
away those face masks, peels and astringents. These will strip the natural oil
from your skin cause it to get drier. Instead clean your face with cleansing
milk and tone it with an alcohol-free toner. If you want to continue using a
mask as a part of your skin care
routine, buy deep hydrating masks instead of clay-based masks. However, do not
use masks very often, as they can dry up the skin.
Kiss
Hot Baths and Showers Goodbye
Yes, it is cold and yes a hot
bath or shower will warm you up, but it will also breakdown the lipid barrier
on your skin and strip away the natural oil and moisture. Do not give in to the
temptation. Instead stick to a warm water bath or shower. If your skin is
terribly dry and itchy, run a lukewarm bath and pour in some baking soda to
alleviate the itching. Right after the bath, apply moisturizer liberally to
combat dry skin.
Your winter skin care regimen should begin the moment you decide to turn the
heating on in your home. This way, you will never be plagued by dull, dry and
itchy skin in winter. Instead, you will be complemented on your glowing, soft
skin.
