Skin Care During Winter

 Winter weather affects your skin in several ways. Dry skin is the most common result of seasonal weathering. Cold winter air lacks humidity and dries up natural oils in your skin, causing it to lose its moisture. Bitter winter winds also cause chapping and windburn. This leads to rough, cracked skin that can feel tight and uncomfortable. The obvious solution might seem to be to getting in out of the cold, but during the winter months, indoor heating systems dry inside air, too. Instead of finding relief indoors, you're likely to suffer an extra dose of the drying effect.

               

               You can take steps to protect your skin by making careful choices about your soap and your laundry products, keeping your skin covered up when outside, and increasing the moisture inside your home. While planning your winter skin care regimen, you should be sure to consider any existing skin conditions. Winter weather not only irritates healthy skin but also can make current skin problems worse. If you have a skin condition such as dandruff, psoriasis or eczema, be aware that winter weather might cause those conditions to flare up.

                  To overcome the conditions of dryness caused by the solidification of skin's oily content during winter, there are some ways whereby you can rejuvenate your skin by adding to its softness and suppleness besides boosting its collagen content.

Avoid hot water bathing

Avoid using hot water for bathing; instead go for lukewarm water enriched with drops of glycerin or herbal oil such as tea tree oil to make up for the loss of moisture.

Moisturize your skin

Moisturize often and keep in mind the type you use based on your skin tone. Help your skin lock in moisture with a good cream, ointment or lotion product. Apply the product to the skin after washing hands or drying off from a shower. Natural and essential ingredients such as shea butter and jojoba oil can be helpful.

Use sunscreen

Protect your skin with sunscreen. Consider a moisturizer with SPF protection. Sun glare is also known for contributing to dry skin. Lip balm with similar protection can help prevent chapped and cracked lips.

Humidifier

One good option would be to put moisture back into the air. A humidifying system can help your skin remain supple instead of cracked and dry. You can buy a system from your local drug store.

Grease Up Your Feet

Yes, those minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerine instead. And use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper.

Don’t take a long bath

Limit how long you stay in the bath or shower. Being in the water too long may cause the skin to lose more of its natural moisture. Consider using natural products to help treat itchy skin such as baking soda. Be gentle when you wash and dry your skin; when using a towel blot the skin gently.

Lips care

Give your lips extra attention to avoid them becoming chapped and splitting. Apply a moisturizing lip balm when you are doing the rest of your skin care, make it part of your routine. As well as this, before you go outside apply some Vaseline/petroleum jelly to your lips as this creates a protective barrier between the cold air and your lips, locking in moisture.

Eat balanced diet

Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Eating a healthy diet full of nutrients and vitamins is the best way to keep your hair and skin from looking and feeling healthy. It's also important to drink enough water to keep your skin and hair hydrated from within. Eating an unbalanced diet will leave your body lacking in the nutrition needed for keeping your skin and hair looking great. Eating well will also make you feel great too! If you have trouble with maintaining a balanced diet then take multivitamins, but remember that this is not an effective replacement for the real thing.

Wrap up from head to toe

Invest in a warm pair of gloves to protect your hands and prevent the skin on them from becoming dry and flaky. Waterproof ones are recommended if you are going out in the snow as they don't soak your hands when you touch the snow. Don't forget to wear a hat as they help protect your hair from drying out and they keep your head nice and warm. Too much exposure to cold, harsh weather can leave hair brittle and dry making it more susceptible to damage. As well as this, wear a scarf when possible to protect the skin on your neck and chest.

Drink lots of water

 People tend to drink less water during winters but it is highly important to hydrate your skin from within. Carry a bottle of water with you whenever you step outside. Herbal tea is also a great remedy to moisturize your skin from within. Don’t leave your skin thirsty. Drink more water and help your skin retain its shine.