The chilly season is not your skin’s best friend; one look
at dull, flakey skin proves this point, but what would you say if we told you
that winter no longer has to be your skin’s enemy?
Would you embrace all the season has to offer and possibly
get outdoors more to take in all the fun winter activities? Or would you curl
up in front of the fire and no longer worry that the dry air is going to leave
your skin less than gorgeous?
Yes, that’s right! By no longer fighting against the season
and instead, embracing it, skin care woes and all, your skin will be much
happier and so will you when you look in the mirror and dewy, glowing skin
reflects back!
Here are six of the best secrets and expert tips so you no
longer have to dread the icy season.
6 Tips for Great Winter Skin
1. Use the right oils
If you aren’t yet protecting your skin with a nourishing
facial and/or body oil, then what are you waiting for? Oils are more
concentrated and better for overall hydration when your skin is dry and
dehydrated.
A good quality facial oil, like argan oil, will not only
feed your skin with deep down moisture, it will also infuse it with nutrients
that will fight free radicals, reduce inflammation, repair dry, damaged skin
and improve your skin’s lipid barrier, which in turn will prevent moisture loss
through the pores.
Who knew a facial oil could do all that? Be sure to always
apply your oil to slightly damp skin for better absorption and pat, don’t rub,
the oil into your skin.
2. Exfoliate weekly
The cool, dry air accelerates water loss from the skin,
which can leave skin looking rough, dry and dull. Dehydrated skin can show
signs of dryness, including flaking, scaling and cracking. Additionally, the
accumulation of dead skin cells can hinder the absorption of moisturizers and
other facial products. To combat this, use a gentle exfoliator once or twice a
week to rejuvenate the surface of the skin.
When choosing an exfoliator, stay away from harsh peels,
astringents and abrasive scrubs that can remove natural oils from the skin and
potentially cause irritation. Instead, try a gentle scrub made from oatmeal,
almond flour or honey.
3. Don’t strip your skin
Many people make the mistake of over-cleansing their skin or
rinsing with hot water during the cold winter months. These are two of the
major causes of dry, dehydrated skin.
No matter how much oil you then apply, these unhealthy skin
habits actually impair the lipid barrier and your skin may need time to
recover. A damaged lipid barrier can result in dry, inflamed skin that may even
break out as your skin over produces sebum to make up for the lack of oil.
Always rinse with lukewarm water and use a gentle oil-based
cleanser, preferably just at night in winter. In the morning, spritz a
hydrating toner onto a cotton pad and give your face a wipe before applying
your oils and lotions. As for your body, use an all-natural body wash or soap
that does not contain harsh foaming agents and detergents, like sodium lauryl
sulfate, which can strip your skin of its natural oils and cause irritation.
4. Add some humidity to your air
The reason winter is such a harsh season for our skin is due
to the lack of humidity in the air. A humidifier in your home can help to add
humidity and moisture into the air to help your skin retain moisture.
We also love humidifiers because you can add in essential
oils for aromatherapy benefits, and they will help to transform your mood.
Lavender oil will soothe and calm, peppermint oil will energize, and citrus
will boost your spirits.
5. SPF is your best friend all-year long
Why put the SPF away when the sun disappears and cloudy days
become the norm?
Did you know that even on cloudy days your skin is at risk
of UV damage? Make it a habit to always apply a generous layer of SPF to all
areas of exposed skin, after applying your oil or moisturizer, and before
heading outdoors.
Forget the chemical sunscreens and opt for a natural
mineral-based SPF formula that is not only better for your skin, it won’t put
your health at risk either.
menshealthupdates womensdayblog usweeklyblog myfavouriteceleb technologydominator
