The days are shorter, the nights are colder, and your skin is flakier than ever. Oh winter, how we’ve missed you. And just like you might be thirsty to indulge in a few post-sundown bevies to heal the pain of the darker days ahead, your skin is thirsty too! And girl, she deserves the drink just as much as you do! Here’s how to keep your skin supple, smooth, and stunning all through the winter months…
Get hot and humid
Okay, maybe not hot, per se, but definitely humid. Running a humidifier in your room while you sleep will not only help you breathe easier (especially when you have a run in with one of those awful winter colds) but it will also work wonders of keeping your skin optimally hydrated. We love the dual-purpose HoMedics Ultrasonic Humidifer and SoundSpa ($74.99).
Wash wisely
Most our usual, everyday soap products are made of surfactants. And what are those you ask? Well they are the tough cleansing ingredients that can strip skin of its natural moisture barrier. Balance it out by using a body wash that includes a moisturizer, essentially allowing you to both cleanse and re-nourish the skin. Try Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash ($6.99).
Keep it short and sweet
Speaking of washing¦those super long, super hot showers you love to indulge in during the summer months? Yeah, those end now. In addition to the aforementioned surfactants, hot water is can also dry out the skin of its natural oils, resulting in drier, flakier, itchier skin. During the winter months try and keep your showers to a five minute minimum and keep the water as mild as is bareable.
Have happy hands
There is nothing, and we mean NOTHING, worse than those cracked, dry, disgusting hands you get over the winter months. Get your hands on an ultra-moisturizing hand cream this season and make sure it is your very best friend. Keep it on hand (pun intended!) to lather on every time you shower or wash your hands. Our pick? L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream ($12).
Don’t forget to protect
Just because the sun goes into hibernation, doesn’t mean you can go slack as well. UV rays are just as powerful even when the sun decides that it is time to take shelter in the cloud for weeks on end. A moisturizer with SPF will not only keep your skin supple through these harsh months, but protected as well. Try NIVEA Visage Light Moisturizing Day Care with SPF 15 ($9.99).
