You Can Keep Your Skin Healthy and Happy All Winter Long. Here’s How.
What do cozying up by the fire, a day of skiing, hot showers and long weekends at home all have in common? They’re some of our favorite winter activities and they can wreak havoc on our skin.
Luckily, the dry, cold air of winter does have a nemesis: An on-point winter skincare routine. Let’s take a look at five ways you can outsmart Mother Nature, and help keep your skin’s glow all winter long.
(PS: Watch for our own winter skincare guru Aaron’s tips and picks throughout the blog!)
Analyze Your Diet: Eating a diet rich in healthy fats like walnuts, olive oil and avocados can help keep your skin moisturized from the inside out. However, it’s not only about what you put in your body but what you don’t, as well.
For instance, taking advantage of that January dry month might help you cut down on your alcohol intake — and its dehydrating properties. Up your water intake, and consider adding a hydration powder in your water bottle for an added boost. Yum!
Aaron’s Tip: Want more info on how drinking water can help your skin? Check out this blog!
Cleanse with Purpose: Be sure to toss any face washes with drying ingredients, like fragrances or additives, in the winter months. A moisturizing cleanser is a great option that won’t strip skin of its natural oils, which are needed to protect overall moisture. Just like how you want to switch from a regular moisturizer in the summer to one that’s ultra-hydrating in the winter, the same method should apply to your facial cleanser. Makes sense, right?
Aaron’s winter cleanser pick: Restorsea PRO foaming cleanser
Exfoliate, Gently: No flakes here! To avoid that scaly, dry winter skin, swap out your cleanser two to three times a week for a gentle exfoliating scrub. And g-e-n-t-l-e is key, in both the product and the application. The one caveat? Those with extremely dry skin should avoid the exfoliator and instead opt for a damp washcloth to (still gently) buff away flakes. And always follow your exfoliation with a gentle moisturizer, too!
Aaron’s exfoliator pick: Limited-edition Café Dulce Cleansing Scrub by Revision Skincare. Get it while you can!
Find Your Dream Cream: Perhaps one of the most important and commonly overlooked steps in the dry skin game is changing to a seriously hydrating moisturizer. Look for creams, rather than lotions, that are made with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides aid in the prevention of the skin’s barrier, which is easily broken down during the winter. We adore Skinbetter Science Face and Neck Cream. And when in doubt, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Aaron’s pro tip: One of the best times to moisturize your face and your body? Directly after you shower. Towel dry (but leave your skin slightly wet) then apply moisturizer. (See, you can have that hot shower and great skin, too!)
Don’t Skip the SPF: Here’s the skinny on SPF: No matter the season, the sun can cause damage to your skin, contribute to the breakdown of collagen, and produce premature wrinkles and fine lines. To prevent the damage, we recommend a daily dose of broad-spectrum SPF every morning, even on cold, cloudy days.
Aaron’s SPF pick: Intellishade SPF 45 for tinted coverage or SkinbetterScience’s Sunbetter Stick SPF 56
Want to learn more about keeping your skin as healthy as possible during winter? Contact us today for a personalized consultation with one of our talented A360 clinical aestheticians.
