Moisturized skin is happy skin. But during the winter months, lower humidity levels and cold temperatures can cause your skin to take a turn for the worse. If you're not following the right winter skincare routine, you'll quickly find that your skin feels dry, itchy, and irritated. The good news is there are quite a few things that you can do to turn dry winter skin around. Here's what you need to know.
Keep Your Shower Short And Lower The Water Temp
A long, hot shower on a cold night may be good for your soul, but it's terrible for your skin. Hot water is notorious for causing dry out your skin, so while it may be hard, try to resist the temptation of bumping up the water temperature in your daily shower. To keep dry skin at bay, opt for a warm shower instead and try to keep it under 10 minutes if possible.
Apply Moisturizer To Damp Skin
Of course, when your skin is dry, the first thing you'll probably reach for is a good moisturizer. This is a great first move, but to really reap the benefits, you have to use it at the right time as well. The best time to apply your moisturizer is right after your shower. Applying moisturizer right out of your shower seals the water into your skin to give your skin a hydrating boost. So, the next time you step out of the shower, blot your skin instead of rubbing it dry, and immediately apply a thick, creamy moisturizer.
Change Up Your Skincare Routine
One mistake most people make is using the same products all year long. The truth is the best products for your skin during the summer months may not be the best products for your dry winter skin. In fact, if you take a look at the ingredients in your favorite moisturizer, you might be surprised to find alcohol listed in the contents. Alcohol, as you know, has the tendency to be drying, so it's not the best thing for dry winter skin. Remember that fragrances can be drying and irritating as well. To relieve dry winter skin, look for creams and moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and glycerin instead, and swap your products out for a few months.
Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a crucial part of your skincare routine, whether it's sunny and 90° outside or cloudy with a chance of snow. The fact is, UV rays will find their way to your skin and go about their business causing sunburn, liver spots, and fine lines and wrinkles - come rain or come shine. So, when you're stepping outside, even if it's in the middle of winter, make sure that your skin is protected with an SPF.
Moisturize Your Hands Frequently
In the last few years, hand washing has certainly stepped into the limelight. Everyone's doing it, and everyone is doing it often. It should come as no surprise that frequent hand washing can lead to dry skin in no time. To keep your dry skin in check, be sure to moisturize your hands every time you wash. If your hands are feeling particularly sandpapery, grab a pair of cotton gloves after applying your moisturizer to help with absorption.
