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Winterize Your Skin This Season

Winter is here and it is time to think about protecting your skin from the elements. Maybe you spend a lot of time outside in the winter. Or, perhaps you are only outdoors for the time it takes to get to and from your car. No matter how you enjoy your winter months, your skin will inevitably feel dry and cracked thanks to the cold weather unless you do something to prevent it.

Cold weather affects your skin in many ways

When you are outside, the frigid air and wind lashes your skin and draws moisture out of it, leaving you with dry cheeks, cracked hands, and chapped lips. When you are inside, your skin gets dried out because of the heating used in our homes. Central heating draws moisture out of the air – and out of your skin.

How to protect your skin

There are several ways to deal with the ill effects of winter’s blustery days. Here are a few tips for keeping your skin moist and comfortable this season:

When going outside, cover your exposed skin.
Slather on body and face moisturizer daily.
Exfoliate regularly. Lightly exfoliate your face and body using a mild cleaner.
Every time you wash your hands, put on hand lotion. Avoid antibacterial hand creams and gels that contain alcohol that will dry out your skin.
Humidify your home with a home humidifier or do it yourself. If you have a wood stove, fireplace, or radiators, place a cast iron container with water on top so it will evaporate into the air while it heats.
Avoid long wearing lipstick that makes your lips dry. Use a gloss or tinted lip balm instead.

Use outerwear to shield your skin from the elements

Protecting your skin from the harsh elements doesn’t have to be unfashionable. There are plenty of great scarves, wraps, face covers, and gloves that will match any coat. For nice coverage, style and prices, check out Target’s outerwear accessories.

A three step nighttime routine for winter skin care

The easiest way to deeply moisturize your skin is to do it before bed, and while you are sleeping.

Take warm showers instead of steaming hot ones that will zap your skin of moisture. Pat your skin dry and slather on a rich moisturizer to lock in the moisture.
Lightly exfoliate your lips with a soft bristled toothbrush. Apply petroleum jelly to your lips before bed.
Sleep with a humidifier on.

Love it! : Author’s top picks for moisturizing products

As a self-proclaimed beauty product junkie, I have unofficially experimented with tons of anti-dry skin products. Here are my long time favorites, for your consideration:

Body moisturizer – Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer
I love the smell, light feel, and non-greasy residual after application. It is perfect for daily use. I keep a small bottle in the car for my hands, too. The website says that daily use of this product actually triples the moisture level of skin. I believe it. $2-$6 depending on size.
Daytime face moisturizer – Oil of Olay classic “Beauty Fluid”
I’m a traditionalist. I swear by the classic, non-clogging, pink face cream that’s been around for decades. Why mess with perfection? About $11.
Nighttime face cream – Oil of Olay Total Effects Night Firming Cream
Not only does this stuff moisturize nicely, but you get the added bonus of firmer, tighter skin. Maybe it’s in my head, but I think the fine lines are less noticeable! About $18.
Facial exfoliating scrub – St. Ives Apricot Scrub (regular or minty medicated)
I’ve used this for more than 10 years. The scrub contains ground up walnut shell bits, and you control the intensity of the exfoliation by the pressure you use when rubbing it into your skin. About $4.
Lip protection – Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
A few years ago I was unwittingly addicted to Chapstick because it contains alcohol which actually dries your lips. So I sought out the most natural lip balm on the market. Alcohol-free, 95% natural Burt’s Bees has a blend of beeswax, lanolin, and coconut and sunflower oils. Cheaper store brands that imitate Burt’s Bees have recently come out on the market. Walmart carries a great product for less than $1.50 a stick. $1 - $3

The best way to combat dry, itchy skin is to take a proactive approach to preventing the problem. Cover up, moisturize, and take care of yourself so that you can look and feel great this winter season.

Written by: Christine Cabral