Winter may bring some wonderful things like holiday parties, traditions or gathering together with loved ones. However, winter also brings drier, colder wind that can strip your skin of its moisture. If you don’t take the necessary precautions, you could end up with cracked or flaky patches. Here are some winter skin care tips to help you weather the seasonal changes.
1. Change Some Habits
When the weather changes, so should your skincare regimen. By paying attention to your skin’s needs, you can keep your complexion vibrant. There are several changes to consider:
- Exfoliate more often. When your skin dries out more easily, it tends to flake. Step up your exfoliation game to offset any dry patches that may appear.
- Don’t neglect your lips. Lips need exfoliation, too, particularly during weather when they’re likely to get chapped more often. A sugar scrub followed by a nourishing balm is the key to soft lips.
- Use a richer moisturizer. Light moisture is not going to overcome dry skin. Switch to a creamier formula during cold weather.
- Limit hot showers and baths. As tempting as it might be to ease into a hot tub at the end of a long, cold day, it can strip your skin of natural moisturizers, ultimately doing more harm than good. Try to use hot baths as an occasional treat rather than a regular habit.
2. Keep Some Habits
While certain skin prep changes are necessary to combat weather changes, it’s important not to forget good habits that protect your skin all year. Gray skies don’t give you immunity to the sun’s harmful UV rays, so if you are going outside, you should always wear moisturizer that contains sunscreen. Your nighttime routine should still include a serum that feeds your skin nutrients while you sleep. When you choose your daily cleanser, you should still keep in mind your skin’s particular needs and find a cleanser that meets those needs without drying your skin out.
3. Consider Your Environment
When the air surrounding you is dry, it can be hard to help your skin retain its moisture. You can alleviate some of the environmental stress on your skin by using a humidifier in your home, particularly when you sleep. The way you dress can also protect skin from the change in temperature. Gloves help hold in moisture on your hands, and a scarf and hat can protect your neck, face and scalp from brisk, biting breezes. Adapting your behavior to the environment makes it easier to take care of your skin in the winter.
4. Nourish from Within
Colder weather is not the only culprit when it comes to extra stress on your skin during summer months. Winter skin care should also take diet changes into account. People tend to eat more comfort foods loaded with starch, dairy and sugar when it’s cold outside. Continue to engage in the same basic nutrition habits you practice in summer during the winter months. There are many seasonal fruits and vegetables packed with nutrients to incorporate into your diet during the fall and winter:
- Winter squashes, such as butternut or delicata squash
- Kale
- Sweet potatoes
- Brussels sprouts
- Turnips
- Citrus, such as tangerines or oranges
- Pears
- Apples
When you fill your diet with nutritious food, it feeds your skin as well as the rest of your organs. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables in any season can help overcome the occasional splurge at a party or gathering.
To take your winter skin prep to a whole new level, schedule a consultation with the practitioners at Windsor Dermatology in East Windsor, New Jersey. Choose from a variety of services by filling out the contact form, or call the office to schedule an appointment at (609)443-4500.
