The winter season can be tough on everyone, and the cold weather can really take a toll on your skin. Whether your skin is dry, oily or a little bit of both, the cold of winter can leave your skin looking red and damaged and leave you looking old before your time.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep your skin looking and feeling its best no matter how low the temperature gets. A few simple preparations and a few inexpensive items will help you and your skin make it through the harsh winter weather in style.
Stay Out of Hot Water
A piping hot shower may feel wonderful when the weather turns chilly, but all that hot water may be drying out your skin. Limiting hot showers and baths is one of the best ways to avoid the dryness, itching and redness that often accompany winter skin.
You can still enjoy a warm shower to chase the chill away – just turn down the heat a few notches and enjoy a nice long soak. Be sure to apply a good moisturizing skin conditioner after your shower, and allow it to soak into your skin for lasting effects.
Keep the Environment Moist
One of the things that make winter so hard on skin is the fact that the air is so much dryer. When the weather is pleasantly warm, you can open up the windows and let the sun – and the outside moisture – into your home. When the weather turns chilly, those windows close up and the same heat gets circulated and recirculated through the house.
The dry air and low humidity is even worse if you have electric heat. Electric heat can be particularly hard on your skin, so take steps now to avoid the damage. Adding a humidifier to the bedroom and living area can be a big help, as can adding extra moisturizer to your skin.
Pucker Up for Kissable Lips
Winter is tough on your skin, so be sure to fight back with a good moisturizer. The moisturizer you choose does not have to be expensive, but it should be made with high quality ingredients. Applying a moisturizer to your face and hands a couple times a day can keep redness, dryness and itching at bay.
Taking care of your skin is important, but do not forget to take care of your lips as well. Winter weather can dry out your lips in a matter of minutes, so carry a tube of lip balm with you wherever you go.
Keeping winter weather from wrecking your skin is not always easy, but there are a few simple things you can do to reduce the damage. Now is the time to act – before the coldest days of winter kick in. The tips listed above can help you get started, but you may also want to consult a dermatologist for more information. Dermatologists are experts in all aspects of skin care – including escaping the ravages of winter with your beautiful skin.
Disclaim: This blog provides general information and discussion about medical, cosmetic, mohs, and surgical dermatology. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed dermatologist or other health care worker.