During the summer, lightweight skincare products are staples in your routine. But with the colder, drier weather and the reintroduction of indoor heating, your skin may need some extra help. How can you avoid dry, irritated wintertime skin? Try making these changes to your skincare routine.
Mix Up Your Moisturizer
Summer moisturizing products tend to be light and free of oils – perfect for hot, sweaty days. But in the winter, you’ll want formulas that hydrate more heavily. The best moisturizers for winter are thicker cream formulas, especially those made with ceramides to protect your skin. Need more moisture? If you’re prone to dryness, try adding a hydrating serum or sheet mask to your routine.
Slather on the Body Lotion
It’s easy to ignore dry skin when it’s hidden under pants, boots, and long sleeves, but, like your face, your body needs heavy hydration and extra ceramides during the winter. Moisturizing protects such as body butters are especially effective.
Tone Down Exfoliation
Over-exfoliating, especially during the colder months, can damage the skin. You’ll know you’re exfoliating too much if you notice symptoms such as inflammation, irritation, itching, or soreness. In this case, allow the skin to heal and adjust your routine to include exfoliation more sparsely. You’ll also want to avoid products containing harsher ingredients like retinoids.
Get a Humidifier for Your Home
Once you turn on the heat at home, your skin is at a disadvantage! Dry air is not good for maintaining moisturized skin, so you may consider buying a humidifier. If you spend long hours in a dry office, consider placing a small humidifier at your desk as well.
Don’t Forget Eyes and Lips
Do you use special products to care for the skin of your eyes and lips? If not, you should be – especially when temperatures are cool and the air is dry. To keep your eyelids looking and feeling healthy, invest in a good eye cream. For moisturized lips, add a product like Vaseline to your daily routine.
Keep Using Sunscreen
The summer sun is gone… or is it? While we feel the rays most in the summer, UV radiation is present all year long. That means that even during winter, you should keep using sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage and reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Stay Away From Hot Water
Warm showers and baths are very relaxing after a chilly day, but they can wreak havoc on your skin! Tampa-based facial plastic surgeon Dr. Edward Farrior says that much like a sunburn, hot water causes the skin to become inflamed and disrupts the natural production of oils. So turn down the heat as much as you can bear.
As the seasons change, so do the needs of your skin! This guide will help you prepare for transitioning your skincare routine into the winter months.