If you live in a temperate country, it’s said that the winter season is that one time of the year where so many routine adjustments will have to be made. Among others, this involves your skincare routine. If you have dry skin, the winter cold is your primary enemy. The extremely cold temperatures are believed to create significant changes in your skin, making it dry and flakey.
So, it’s normal to feel a lot less radiant than normal during the winter season. But, it doesn’t always have to feel that way. You can still look and feel your best even during the unforgiving winter season. Know how to switch your current evening and morning skincare routine to make it more suited for the cold weather and to relieve yourself of dry skin.
To get you started, here are a few insights on how you can create a winter skincare routine for your dry skin.
Moisturize Your Skin After Washing
After you wash your face and after every bath, make it a habit to moisturize your face’s skin. A moisturizer is one of the best hydrating dry skin products you can lather on your skin and face’s surface during the harsh winter months.
It’s said that every time you wash your face and body, you’re removing some of its natural oils. So, to prevent this from happening, you’ll want to supplement or lock in those bodily oils instead with a moisturizer.
Here are tips on how to select the best moisturizer:
- Choose a moisturizer that compliments your skin type;
- Pick out a product with a high SPF or sun protection factor in it. This will act as a protective shield for your skin from the harsh rays of the sun during day time (yes, the temperature might be freezing but there are days when the sun will still be out);
- Select a moisturizer with more hydrating capabilities for use in the winter months than what you normally would during the rest of the year.
As a bonus point, you may also want to switch your hand soaps at home during winter to those that have moisturizing features in them. That way, even when you have to wash your hands regularly, they won’t become dry.
Use A Humidifier At Home
If you don’t have one already, a humidifier is said to be a worth-it investment to have in your home for the winter season. Using a humidifier can help add moisture to the dry air that may help keep your skin hydrated.
Keep your humidifier on in the room you spend the most time in. It’s also advisable to have one in your bedroom when you go to sleep to help your body gain moisture while it’s engaged in reparative rest the whole evening.
As you head out to choose a humidifier, you may ask: what are the characteristics of a good humidifier? Here are some important factors to consider:
- It can be used consistently
The humidifier you’ll choose should be easy to maintain, move around, and mustn’t produce a loud sound when switched on. It should also have a sturdy and high-quality build for you to be able to maximize your recent purchase. - Easy to clean
A humidifier will also need consistent care and cleaning to inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Choose a humidifier product and brand that’s also easy to clean. - Perfect size for your room
Always factor in your room’s size when choosing a humidifier. A good size is one that allows for a humidity range of approximately 30% to 50%.
Keep Your Showers Short
During the cold winter season, it can be very tempting to stay under the hot shower or stay submerged in your hot tub for a long time. While you may find it soothing as it keeps your body warm and for your own self-care routine, but it’s not doing your skin any good. The hot water is believed to only cause your skin to dry up even more.
So, come winter, keep your showers or baths limited to only around five to ten minutes. If you go longer than that, you may be stripping your skin off its oils which forces it to lose its natural moisture.
Choose A Gentle, Fragrance-Free Cleanser
To keep up with a consistent products lineup that is mild and gentle on your skin, you may also want to switch to a gentle and fragrance-free cleanser. Think of your skin as that of a baby’s which requires the most meticulous care.
Harsh soaps that are also filled with fragrance may, unfortunately, dry up your skin even more as these could be filled with irritants. Thus, you’ll need to choose less harsh options. If you want to opt for cleansers made with natural ingredients, then that’s a good option as well.
Also, choose a gentle laundry soap and detergent free of any forms of artificial fragrances. Your laundry soap may also irritate your skin without you knowing as you’re more prone to wearing tighter clothes that make contact with your skin during winter time.
Avoid Scrubbing, For Now
It’s believed that the winter season isn’t the right time for you to excessively scrub or brush your skin’s surface. You’ll also want to take it easy on the exfoliation. Your skin is said to be extra sensitive during winter, so you’ll want to be very gentle and careful.
If you do feel the need to scrub your body, switch your regular scrubber for a gentler washcloth. Then, once you’re done taking a shower or washing your face, pat dry your skin instead of rubbing it.
Use Sunscreen Regularly
It’s a common misconception to think that you wouldn’t need to wear sunscreen during winter because of the cold season. But, remember that there are days during the winter when the sun still shines at its brightest. Though the cold air masks the heat exposure from the sun, you ought not to be complacent as your skin is especially vulnerable during this certain time of the year.
Every time you go out, still make it a habit to use sunscreen regularly. It’ll be better if you pick out a product with added moisturizing benefits in it. By doing so, you’re not only protecting your skin from possible premature aging, but you’re also preventing excessive UV or ultraviolet rays exposure from the sun that may damage and dry up your skin.
Conclusion
Cold, dry air can cause your skin to become flakey, itchy, and dry. The skin is prone to a lot of changes brought about by the temperature, but the winter season can be exceptionally tough on the skin.
As you can see, you can’t use the same skincare routine as you did during the warmer months during the cold winter season. Most importantly, take it easy on your skin. If there’s anything you’re unsure of, don’t play around with different products. By practicing the abovementioned tips, you can ascertain that you’ll have the proper routine that’ll help your skin adjust through the harsh temperatures of winter.
However, there’s no substitute for sound, medical advice from a dermatologist. If you observe persistent symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed and qualified professional to help you with your dry skin worries.
