3 Upgrades to Skincare Routines for Winter
Winter can be an exceptionally difficult time on people’s skin. Cold weather means drier weather and dry air, both indoors and out, can reduce skin’s ability to protect itself. As moisture is drawn from the epidermis, the loss of hydration can cause cracks and inflammation in the skin. Fortunately, a few dermatologist recommendations can help improve the skin health of anyone suffering from wintertime skin issues.
Try Out a New Face Wash
Most face washes remove oils from the skin to combat breakouts. Those same oils, however, lock moisture into the skin and can be very beneficial during the winter. The perfect skin regimen will depend on a person’s skin type, but in general a move away from harsher foaming cleansers to a softer cleanser that hydrates the skin. Once out of the shower, immediately apply a moisturizer. Pores are most open after they’ve been washed so applying moisturizer right out of the shower will maximize its effectiveness.
Protect Your Lips
One of the most uncomfortable side effects of cold weather is dry, cracked lips. For serious cases, a dermatologist might suggest prescription strength products. In most cases, people can benefit from a simple change in lip balm. Scented or colored lip balms do little to provide moisture and, depending on the chemicals used, can exacerbate the dehydration. Go with unscented lip balms, like Aquaphor, that create a thick protective layer to both trap moisture and repel the wind and cold.
The Eyes Are Special, Treat Them That Way
The skin around the eyes is especially delicate and must be treated as such when modifying a skin regimen for winter. This might mean investing in special moisturizer designed to plump the fine skin around the eyes. If you have oily skin and shy away from moisturizing cream to avoid acne, a dermatologist can recommend something light just for the area around the eyes.
Taking care of skin in winter might require a little extra effort, but paying attention to the impacts of cold weather will reduce both seasonal and long-term impacts on your skin.
