Winter is here. That means dry, cold air outside and dry heat inside. By now, you’re likely feeling the pull or tightening of skin all over your body, and not in good way. It might even be incredibly itchy. Now is the best time to set a New Year’s resolution to do more for your winter skin than just moisturize. You’ll need a solid skin care routine to keep your face and body hydrated, glowing, and looking fabulous all season long. Here are some tried-and-true winter skin care tips to help you look and feel your absolute best.
Stay Hydrated and Eat a Skin-Smart Diet
What you put into your body matters just as much as what you put on it. When combined with a proper skin-care routine, eating right and drinking plenty of water can keep you and your skin healthy. Think more healthy fats like olive oil, walnuts, and avocados and fewer dehydrating diuretics like caffeine and alcohol. You also want to incorporate anti-aging foods. These are ones which are rich in antioxidants. Berries, dark leafy greens, dark chocolate, and pecans are great additions to your skin-healthy diet.
Get a Humidifier
A cool mist humidifier in your bedroom will do wonders to keep your skin moist and hydrated. The drying heat of the furnace often takes its toll. This inexpensive change is a small one, but can really boost your skin’s hydration.
Be Gentle When Buffing and Cleansing Skin
You don’t want to moisturize dead skin cells, so a gentle exfoliation will strip away the dry, outer layer to allow your serums or moisturizers to penetrate better. Opt for gentle scrubs which often use ingredients like lactic acid or mild glycolic acid to buff away dry skin. Consider swapping cleansers with fragrances and additives for those with oatmeal or chamomile. The important thing is that you aren’t stripping away your skin’s natural oils. Also, remember that your Retin-A product also exfoliates, so you’ll want to cut down on those products to every other day.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Did we mention you should moisturize your skin? Whether you use an alcohol-free antioxidant serum or a heavy face cream, it’s so important to hydrate and protect your skin day and night. Look for ceramides and hyaluronic acid as ingredients in your creams. You can even add a coat of Aquaphor to lock in your creams. Don’t forget to moisturize under eyes, on lips and cuticles too.
As much as you may love a hot shower or bath, they are very dehydrating. At the very least, don’t wash your face in hot water. Use a thick body moisturizer once you get out and a hydrating sheet mask once a week.
For specific questions regarding your dry winter skin, just request a consultation with The Derm Group online or call us at (973) 571-2121.