Winter-Proof Your Skin
By Leslie Peck / Photo illustration by Elizabeth Meyer
As humidity drops and the cool, dry air takes a toll on your skin, switching a few things in your daily skin care routine can help relieve unfavorable symptoms. The key to balancing your pH is retaining the oils naturally produced in your skin and hair.
Many factors can cause dry skin. Sitting by fires, wind, dry air, indoor heat that pulls moisture from the air and hot water can all cause the condition of the skin to drastically change.
As temperatures fall, keep indoor air on the cool side and use warm — not hot — water for showers and for washing hair and hands. Sensitive skin and eczema can easily flare up with steamy showers and heaters pumping out hot, dry air.
Bar soap can be drying to sensitive skin. It’s best to use creamy body wash and body lotions that are free of fragrance and alcohol during the colder months.
Switch some of your powder makeup products to creamy options. Liquid foundation, cream blush and cream eyeshadow are a must if your skin is irritated and dry. Always use hydrating sprays before and after makeup to lock in a dewy finish.
After showers, pat dry and apply moisturizer to your entire body. Don’t forget the areas where skin is thicker, such as your palms and the bottoms of your feet. Some products you use during the hot months can be too harsh for dehydrated skin in the winter. Certain laundry detergents and dish soaps may irritate skin as well.
If you struggle with a dry scalp, use an oil treatment and massage it into the scalp a couple of times a week to relieve tightness and itching. This can improve both scalp comfort and hair condition.
Overwashing your face and body can easily dry out your skin. If you wash your face at night, simply rinse, pat dry and reapply moisturizer in the morning. The natural oils your skin produces overnight can help maintain balance throughout the day. Don’t forget to apply a hydrating balm to your lips at night to repair dry, cracked skin.
Take a break from exfoliants, retinol and alpha hydroxy acids if you use them regularly. Add them back slowly as irritation lessens. Key ingredients to look for in lotions and moisturizers for dry skin include ceramides, glycerin, jojoba oil, shea butter, mineral oil and lanolin.
Hydration is key. Increase your daily water intake, use a humidifier at night if needed and take a few extra minutes each day to moisturize your skin from head to toe.
