Keeping your skin moisturized during the winter is a constant battle. You can make one of two choices: start a daily regimen of applying moisturizing products or deal with the discomfort of dry and chapped skin. I would like to provide you with some tips and products that will help you to weather the winter! This post is more so directed at women but there are helpful ideas that men can use as well.
First and foremost buy a humidifier if you do not have one! Fireplaces and heaters suck the moisture out of the air in your home. There are humidifiers for every budget. I have one in my bedroom that turns on as soon as you plug it in. It does not have an buttons or controls. It just automatically turns itself off when it is out of water. Put one of these in you bedroom and plug it in at night.
Use lip balms frequently. Avoid lip glosses because they do not effectively moisturize. Choose products like Blistex that contain an SPF. During the winter using sunscreen is very important because sunlight you are exposed to even more sunlight (when there is snow on the ground) because snow reflects the light whereas during the rest of the year a large portion of it is absorbed (objects appear to be particular colours because of the part of the spectrum the reflect eg. we see grass as green because the green part of the light spectrum is reflected while the rest of the spectrum is absorbed). Use moisturizers with SPF too.
Use a facial moisturizer every morning. To maximize absorption apply it right after your shower. Choose good quality brands like Aveeno or Cosmetic counter creams. moisturize your skin before putting on makeup. Most cosmetics contain talc which actually pulls moisture out of your skin. Buy a moisturizer specifically for around the eyes. The area around the eyes is extremely sensitive and requires special products. Its a good idea to use eye cream all year round not only to keep your skin moisturized but to make powder eyeshadows stick! This will help keep your makeup off your eyelashes and out of your eyes.
Shave your legs and elsewhere using body lotion instead of shaving under running water or using gels and shave creams. Lotions lend more moisture.
Apply body lotion before you get dressed and/or before bed. Use drugstore brands like Aveeno, St.Ives, and products that contain Shea butter. Body lotions that contain ingredients like shea butter not only moisturize the skin but the also form a barrier on the skin that helps it to hold moisture. Parafin is a wax put in moisturizers for the same function. Be careful not to use moisturizers that irritate the skin. They can be extremely bothersome to dry skin. If a lotion creates a tingling sensation do not use it. Avoid lotions containing menthol, eucalyptus, and teatree oil.
Use a moisturizing bodywash istead of bar soap.
When you have time take a bath. Instead of reading in bed read while taking a soak in the tub. Use milk baths or collideal oatmeal. These products will help moisturize and soothe dry skin.
Buy a pair of gloves and socks at the Body Shop for doing overnight treatments for dry hands and feet. You can buy specialty lotions intended for the use or you can just apply a liberal amount of lotion on your hands and feet (don’t worry about rubbing it all in) and then pull them on. You will wake up to silky soft skin!
Drink lots of water and drink less caffeine. Caffeine is a diarretic and dehydrates the body. I would never tell you to kick the habit entirely. I’m a bit of an addict myself. Instead have you morning coffee and drink tea the rest of the day. Black tea and green tea still contain caffeine, but less of it meaning it will not dehydrate you as much. Another benefit of tea - when you drink it clear (without sugar or milk) it provides the body with healing antioxidants. By switching to tea you will also avoid the empty calories that we add to coffee with sugar and cream or milk. Putting dairy products in tea prevents the body from absorbing the beneficial antioxidants found in tea. Find a tea that you enjoy clear. Try different blends like Green Chai Tea.
Make sure you meet you daily nutritional requirements for vitamins, minerals, and protein.Proper nutrition plays a mojor role in maintaining healthy skin.
Fat is not the enemy. Healthy fats also play a role in maintaining healthy skin. Good sources of fats are found in olive oil and fish. Eat foods containing unsaturated fats.
Basically eat healthier and choose your bodycare products wisely. Skincare does take time out of your day but you will look and feel better as a result. I have always battled with dry skin and I have to say that the effort is well worth it.
