Beat the dry skin winter blues before they even hit. Preparing your skin for the harsh, cold, dry winter air starts now with these tips.
For much of the US, winter is a unique beast that can wreak havoc on your skin. Between battling cold, dry outdoor air and being cooped up indoors with dry heater air blasting, our skincare needs to be at the top of its game. Before temperatures really start to dip, consider preparing your skin for winter now. Here are seven ways you can start taking care of your skin now to beat the winter skincare blues.
Eat Your Way to Healthy Skin
When it comes to skincare, we care a lot about what we put on our bodies, but we should also be caring about what we put into our bodies. Foods that are rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants are all great ways to keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated.
- Avocados are rich in vitamins C and E and monounsaturated fats which help skin lock in moisture.
- Fish, especially salmon, contains omega-3 fats which replenish skin cells.
- Orange and yellow vegetables (carrots, potatoes, and peppers) contain beta-carotene (an antioxidant) as well as vitamins A and C, which help rebuild body tissue and produce collagen.
- If you’re looking for a healthy snack to keep on hand, opt for nuts, particularly almonds as they contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B, and E, monounsaturated fats and minerals, and a host of antioxidants that hydrate skin, promote elasticity, help regenerate cells, and protect against pollutants and free radicals.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to keep your skin healthy and hydrated all season long. Drinking the appropriate amount of water daily will ensure your body has the necessary resources it needs to function properly. Adding fruit or vegetables to water is a great way to add nutrients and detox your body. Consider adding strawberries and limes to your glass of water. Strawberries are jam-packed with antioxidants while limes have excellent anti-aging and restorative properties for nails, skin, and hair.
Humidify Your Indoor Air
What’s even more important than staying hydrated by drinking water is making sure your indoor environment’s (particularly your bedroom) air is hydrated. The average person loses between two to three glasses of water each night through perspiration and respiration, causing a feeling of dehydration and exhaustion upon waking. Add blasting heat from a heater and not only does your body feel tired, your skin feels exceptionally dry.
A room humidifier like the Venta Humidifier perfectly humidifies an indoor environment to 40-60%, so there is never any worry of over-humidification or mold growth. While it’s important to moisturize with creams and serums, nothing can give you the same hydration from the inside out as humidifiers can.
Shorten Those Showers
Shorten your showers AND turn down the heat. Hot water dries out your skin, stripping it of its natural oils. Shorter, lukewarm showers will be better in the long run for your skin this winter. It doesn’t hurt to start taking cooler showers now!
SPF Isn’t Just for the Beach
Protecting the body’s natural barrier is imperative. Wearing sunscreen even when it’s not particularly sunny out is important to protect your skin from the sun’s powerful and harmful UV rays. These rays can act as a skin cell accelerator. With appropriate skin protection, you can reduce your chance of accelerated aging, evidence of dark spots, and skin cancer development. No matter the season, sunscreen is a must for skin protection.
Adjust Your Skincare Routine
Chances are your summer and winter skincare routine are vastly different. For extra hydration protection from the harsh winter winds and blasting indoor heaters, switch from moisturizing lotions to heavier creams for longer-lasting hydration. Make sure you choose the right cleanser that will exfoliate and refresh, not dry out your skin.
Wear the Appropriate Makeup
Similar to adjusting your skincare routine, make sure to pay special attention to your makeup products. Products that are labeled as ‘long-lasting’ and ‘matte’ can promote dryness. Opt for products that have moisturizing properties and cream formulas. Thankfully a dewy look is in! Your skin will appreciate it.
With proper preparation and protection, the harsh cold, dry winter air won’t stand a chance against your skin this season. Adjusting your skincare and makeup routines and knowing how to properly hydrate your skin now is essential to healthy, glowing skin all winter long.