Winter takes a toll on your skin. We know this because all of us have skin, and by February, we want to cocoon under a million blankets and bury ourselves in tubs of moisturizer. I’ve got good news, though: that isn’t necessary. And to prove it, here’s my step-by-step guide to keeping your skin free of the hell fury that is winter’s wrath.
Step 1: Exfoliate
I’m not going to lie: it took me years to realize that exfoliating is important. And as soon as I understood how crucial it was, I no longer wanted to donate my skin to the museum of winter’s victims. For my face, I use Ocean Salt by Lush ($35.95) about twice a week, which leaves your skin feeling soft and amazing, and I use Rub Rub Rub (also by Lush, $21.95) as a body wash that also gently exfoliates and moisturizes.
But that’s not all: your lips can get super chapped and dry in cold temperatures, so if you wear lipstick (which already tends to dry your lips out), pick up Fresh Sugar Lip Polish ($22.50) and use it once a week or so to get rid of any dry skin. It also helps blood circulate again, so your lips will be plumper. Score.
Step 2: Moisturize
You should moisturize regardless of season, but winter really demands that you up the ante. And that’s fine! There are tons of products that will keep your skin glowing. First, if your skin tends to get red, Avene’s Redness-Relief Moisturizing Protecting Emulsion (around $25 – $33 at Shopper’s Drug Mart) is a godsend. It evens out your skin tone, and it contains SPF, so you’re not only preventing more damage, you’re curbing what already exists. If not, Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizers work well, too “ and like, Avene, they’re relatively on-budget.
As for what’s not your face, classic body butter is a perfect go-to. Body Shop‘s collection is tried, true, and reasonably priced ($19), and if you’re going to be using it every day (like you will) (I mean, come on, guys!), you might as well invest in a brand that won’t make you face-palm every time you need a new batch.
Step 3: Protect
Here’s the thing: you may think that gloves are inconvenient or that you don’t need sunscreen in winter, but you would be wrong (and me, during that time I didn’t exfoliate, either). The sun still shines in winter, so make sure that when you’re moisturizing, you’re either using a product that contains SPF, or you’re using a light, non-greasy sunscreen on its own. The same rule also applies to lip balms: your lips can get wind-chapped, sunburned, and straight up dry, so make sure that even if you’re wearing lipstick, you’re using a balm at home.
And for the love of all that is good, wear gloves! Cracked, bleeding hands are below us all.
[Photo via Pinterest]
