Dry and irritated Skin is no fun. During the cold winter season, it is an all too common thing to experience. Here are a few different ways you can protect your skin and keep it healthy in harsh weather.
Never leave the house without moisturizing
If there is one item you need more than anything in your winter skincare routine, it's a good moisturizer. They come in a variety of forms including oil-based, gel, and cream. The key is to get one that suits your skin type so it brings out your strengths. Here are some rules of thumb:
- Dry skin: Use an oil-based moisturizer because they absorb deeper into your skin and last longer.
- Oily skin: Find a gel or cream that is oil-free so it doesn't add any more shine to your skin.
- Combination skin: You should look for a moisturizer that doesn't contain oils or fragrances. This will assure that your skin won't get irritated or oily.
Make sure to exfoliate
The process of exfoliating will make your skin look younger and healthier immediately.
The benefit it has during the winter is that your skin will have less dead skin cells and moisture can get in easier. There are many types of products you can use to exfoliate your skin. The most common are gel scrubs which contain micro-beads that gently buff away impurities. You can also use handheld devices including derma-rollers or exfoliating pads. Since this process can be tough on your skin, try to limit how often you exfoliate to once per week.
Start from within
One of the best things you can do for your skin during the winter or any season is to clean up your diet. You should focus on drinking more water to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. Drinking green tea or beverages high in antioxidants will also lower inflammation you might experience from the cold.
Consuming a healthy amount of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids is very important during the winter too. Protein helps build tissue in your body which includes the skin on your face. Good sources include chicken, fish, or legumes because they offer other great nutrients as well. Omega-3 fatty acids will help reduce irritation and redness which is a common side effect of cold weather.
To get more of them in your diet, try eating more eggs, seafood, or taking supplements such as cod oil.
Below is a wonderful video from the YouTube channel Foxy detailing some very useful winter skincare tips. Combined with what you learned in today's article, your skin will be ready to handle anything that's thrown at it this winter season.
