Our appearance can be affected by the change of seasons, especially come wintertime. But there are things you can do to fend off the negative effects of cold weather.
The weather has taken a turn in parts of the world and the snow has already graced us with its presence in many places. With the change of seasons, our appearance can be affected, and not necessarily in a good way. One of the biggest concerns with the chilly weather is our skin. When you walk outside into the cold weather and you feel that instant stinging on your face, you know it’s time to kick your skin care habits up a notch.
When it comes to our wintertime skin care concerns, it’s important to remember it’s not just the frigid temperatures and blustery winds that affect us when we are outdoors, but also the time we spend bundled up indoors. When the fireplace is roaring, we’re snuggled up with our favorite blanket and the heater is blasting warm air, it’s probably not the best thing for our skin. Our skin can become dehydrated, dry, chapped and it can even look older if we aren’t careful.
Is it really the outside temperatures that we need to be most concerned about? Not exactly. In the pursuit of healthy skin, we need to be just as concerned with what’s going on inside our homes as outside. It’s time to take some necessary steps to manage our wintertime indoor conditions. Whenever we are exposed to a combination of colder temperatures and reduced humidity, our skin can suffer. The result? Skin that is dry, itchy, uncomfortable and sensitive to temperature extremes. For some of us, the only time we experience any kind of real skin condition is during the wintertime. When our skin is depleted of its much-needed moisture, problems occur. Dry air can not only lead to itchy, scratchy, flaky skin, but it can also lead to tiny little cracks on the surface of the skin. And this is something we want to avoid. Cracks in our skin can act as entry points for impurities. And, they can be painful and unsightly. Think about those little dehydration cracks we get in the corners of our mouths. Yikes. They are not fun.
And, it’s not just about our skin. If you have ever been a victim of indoor static shock, you know exactly what I am talking about. When the dry, indoor air depletes our moisture, we are also prone to giving and receiving electric shocks. Admittedly I loved, and probably still do, giving shocks to my unsuspecting family members. But, that static electricity can also cause our hair to be uncontrollable and stand on end. And the static cling of a skirt on the legs can be totally annoying.
Here are a few tips to survive the elements both indoors and out:
Avoid Long Showers and Baths
Nothing feels better on a cold day then a long, steamy, hot bath. But, this will only add to the winter itch you may already be experiencing. Long exposure to hot water can further dehydrate your skin by stripping the oils from the surface. So keep them short and on the cooler side, if possible. Use only moisturizing bubble baths, soaps or shower gels, preferably those containing moisturizing ingredients like Aloe vera. By cutting your bath or shower time by just a few minutes, you can noticeably improve the look and feel of your winter skin.
Top Tip: Pat, don’t rub your skin dry with a soft fluffy towel. Rubbing your skin can be too harsh and lead to flakey skin on the surface.
Double Down On Moisturizer
If you are already an avid user of body lotions and facial moisturizers, then you know that in the wintertime you need to double down and be incredibly diligent with your products. You many also need to reapply throughout the day if necessary and focus on areas of the body like feet, elbows, hands and knees that you sometimes neglect during the warmer months. Just like sunscreen, when you are outdoors, the rules are apply, apply and reapply to keep skin hydrated and elastic.
Top Tip: Always apply your moisturizing products immediately after your shower or bath when skin is still damp for improved benefits. Look for skin moisturizing ingredients like Aloe, Shea butter, olive and coconut oil.
Drink Up
There is so much back and forth about the importance of water and its effects on the skin. No matter what you read, it’s important to stay hydrated 365 days a year. And, drinking water, tea, hydration drinks, etc. is great for the entire body. Our bodies need water and it’s important to avoid dehydration at all costs. So drink up.
Top Tip: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon, lime or orange juice to your water. It will taste better and citrus fruits are known for containing antioxidant vitamins.
Love Your Lips
Boy, oh boy, do our lips suffer in the wintertime. They become dehydrated, chapped, red, cracked and in some cases, even painful. Protecting our lips is important. The two most important things you can do are applying an emollient lip balm to moisturize and soften the delicate skin on the lips. Choose a product with SPF protection for daytime use. And remember to reapply throughout the day and especially at bedtime. Also, no matter how tempting, avoid licking your lips when they’re dry. That little bit of instant comfort and relief will only exacerbate the condition.
Top Tip: Be sure to exfoliate the skin on your lips. This will help remove the dead and dry skin leaving, them looking and feeling softer and smoother.
Put the Moisture Back into Your Home
We need to add moisture back into the air in our homes and by having a humidifier, or two, you can do exactly that. When the air is moist, it can benefit your skin, your nose, your sinuses and even your hair. There are many humidifiers to choose from, including small personal humidifiers that you can keep on your nightstand or desk at work.
Top Tip: If you don’t have a humidifier, heat a large pot of water on your stove top and simmer thorough out the day. Keep adding water as it evaporates. It’s a simple way to replenish that moisture into the air.
Take Advantage of the Night
Spend a few extra minutes each night preparing your skin for morning. Hands feeling dry and looking unsightly? Slather on your favorite hand cream and be sure to rub into your cuticles and elbows too. Do the same with your feet. You want to avoid getting cracks in our heels and a rich, moisturizing body or foot cream will do the trick. Cover your tootsies with a pair of white cotton socks and go to sleep. You will wake up to hands and feet that are moisturized, soft and smooth.
Top Tip: Keep hand cream next to every sink in your house and office and make sure to apply after you wash your hands…every single time!
Reach for An Non-Fragrant Dryer Sheet
May sound crazy, but the quickest way to tame static in your hair and your clothing is with a dryer sheet. Swipe one quickly across your hair and the flyways will immediately calm down. Is your dress clinging to your legs? No problem. A quick swipe with your favorite dryer sheet and no more static cling!
Top Tip: Keep a dryer sheet in your handbag, gym bag or even in your glove compartment. You never know when static cling will attack!
These are just a few tips to help fend off winter skin. We all know we need to bundle up and protect our skin when we go outdoors, but now we have a few simple steps to follow when we are indoors. All in the name of healthy, beautiful winter skin.
For more information about our SKIN range SKIN.
Written by beauty expert, Jacquie Carter. Jacquie is Director of Outer Nutrition at Herbalife.