Winter Skin Care Tips
Posted by VickyC on November 11th, 2009
For some people, winter really takes its toll on the skin. I’m not just talking about the skin being a little dry, I’m talking flaking, irritated, cracked skin and sometimes even eczema. As soon as you turn the heat on in your homes or cars, the skin immediately starts drying out. Going from cold temperatures outside to dry heat indoors really assaults your skin. Unfortunately, just slathering yourself in a boatload of moisturizer and hoping for the best isn’t the most effective way to keep your skin looking winter wonderful.
The main thing to remember is to keep your skin hydrated. Contrary to popular belief, the amount of water that a person drinks is NOT reflected in their skin. Of course, you have to drink water for your overall health, but the best way to keep your skin hydrated is: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! It’s really important to pick the right moisturiser for your skin type. Moisturizers that are too heavy and oily can leave the skin feeling even more irritated. I’ve been using Spectro Ezema Care Cream, and it works really well. I have extremely dry and sensitive skin, and I’ve been really impressed with this cream. It’s a very intense cream, but feels very light and I don’t have to moisturize 20 times a day.
Cleansing is also extremely important. Again, the right cleanser is key. You don’t want to remove all of the good oils from your skin, as this will cause your skin to dry out more. Cleansers that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) should be used very carefully and really only if you need to use them. AHA is normally found in cleansers for very oily/acne prone skin, such as Clearasil, Clean ‘n’ Clear and some Neutrogena and L’oreal products. I’m not slating these products or telling you not to use them, but if you do, it is VERY important that you moisture, as they take away the skin’s oils and exfoliate the top layer of skin – which initially is good for dry skin, but leaves the new skin out in the open and unprotected against the brutal winter weather.
It’s imperative to remember that whether you’re washing your face, showering or just washing your hands, if the water is too hot, it will dry your skin out as all the good oils, along with the bad, will be removed from your skin. It’s comparable to washing the dishes; think of how quickly oil and grease is removed from a pan with hot soapy water – it comes right off! But to keep the good oils on your skin, lukewarm water is the best along with a gentle soap or body wash for showering or bathing. I know hot baths and showers feel great in the cold winter months, but they really aren’t good for your skin. If you have to take a hot bath, use oils. Moisturising is vital after cleansing your face, showering or even washing your hands. For best results, moisturize as soon as you have dried your skin. If you wait too long, the skin will rapidly lose moisture and begin to feel tight and itchy. It essentially seals in the moisture and ensures that the skin does not dry out. Humidifiers are also very helpful. Having them around the house and in your bedroom at night are a great way of making sure the air isn’t too dry.
Lastly, don’t forget to protect your lips. The skin on your lips is different to the skin on your face. This is why you don’t put lip balm on your face, or moisturizer on your lips. Look for lip balms with an SPF or if your lips get really chapped in the winter, look for medicated ones like Blistex. This will help keep your lips ready for some action under the mistletoe!
I hope this information helpful. Remember to drink water and keep moisturized. I hope that you will all have beautiful angelic skin this winter season!
Tags: Balm, Care, Chapped, Cleanse, Cleanser, Cold, Dry, Eczema, Lips, Moisturize, Skin, Tips, Winter
