There are a lot of wonderful things about winter. From the fresh snap of the morning frost to being able to wrap up warm and snuggle under a blanket in the evening. For many people, this is their favorite time of the year, and for good reason. That being said, there are definitely some things that can be pretty difficult to deal with about the winter.
In particular, the drop in temperature can end up making a lot of people’s lives a whole lot harder. Of all of these, there are few things that the cold can wreak havoc on more than your skin. The cold can very easily leave many of us with dry, cold, unhappy skin. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things that you can do about it. There are always ways to keep your skin protected from the cold. With that in mind, here are some of the things that you can do in order to take the best possible care of your skin during the winter.
Don’t let your showers get too hot
One habit that many of us get into during the colder months is taking some seriously hot showers. After all, what’s nicer than turning the heat right up to escape the cold for a little while? Well, it turns out that incredibly hot showers usually end up causing more problems than they solve. Hot water can be pretty bad for your skin in general. The heat can end up drying out your skin and irritating it. This happens because hot water causes damage to the cells of your epidermis and makes it much harder for your skin to lock in moisture. Not only that but it can strip necessary oils from your skin. Even if you might want to get as warm as possible on a cold winter’s morning, try to resist the temptation to turn the water temperature way up. Otherwise, you’re just going to make things a whole lot harder for your skin.
Stay hydrated
When people are trying to take care of their skin, one thing that they often end up focussing on is what they put on their bodies. This makes a certain amount of sense, of course. From the products that you use to the hot water in the shower, the things that come into direct contact with your skin can make a huge difference. However, you should also think about the things that you’re putting into your body as well. In particular, you should make sure that you’re always staying as well hydrated as possible. If you’re dehydrated then your body is going to have a seriously hard time keeping your skin healthy and hydrated as well. Remember that every part of your body is connected and looking after one element of it will always help you look after the rest of it.
Give your skin a break
There’s nothing wrong with things like makeup. Makeup is a really fantastic thing for millions of people. After all, it gives you the chance to express yourself, helps you feel more confident, and can give any outfit that little extra oomph. However, if you’re relying on makeup to the point that you’re wearing it every single day without a break then that can end up being an issue. Lots of products can irritate your skin and covering your face every day can lead to things like pores that are clogged and impurities getting into your skin. Taking a break and going makeup-free from time to time can be a great way to give your skin the chance to breathe and recover. Taking a couple of makeup-free days in the week is not only good for your skin but it can help to build up your confidence to not need makeup as much in your day-to-day life.
Keep your skin moisturized
If you typically use moisturizer throughout the year, that’s great! But there are other things that you can do during the winter to make sure that your skin stays properly moisturized at all times. For one thing, it’s a good idea to adjust your skincare routine for the winter. Things like toners and astringents can often end up further drying your skin in ways that are less of an issue in the summer months but can be a big problem when the temperature drops. Things like cream-based cleansers and rich moisturizers are the best options during the winter. Not only that but things like avoiding cranking up your thermostat and investing in a humidifier can help to stop your skin from drying out too much, even in the harshest of conditions.
Take extra care where you can
If you’re in a position where your skin is particularly sensitive or you have any kind of particular condition like eczema or psoriasis, the winter can be a particularly difficult time. If that’s the case then you need to be sure that you’re taking even more care of your skin than everyone else. It’s a good idea to talk to a specialist but you should also look into things like the benefits of dry wrapping and ways that you can add extra levels of protection to your skin no matter how cold the weather gets. If your skin is particularly sensitive then the winter can be a scary time but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t always things that you can do.
When it comes to looking after your skin as much as you can, one thing to remember is that everyone is different and the cold impacts everyone’s skin in different ways. If the impact that the cold is having on your skin seems as though it’s a whole lot more significant than it should be then it’s always worth talking to a specialist about this. Whether you talk to your GP or you’re recommended to a dermatologist, talking to someone who can help you take the best possible care of your skin in the winter and beyond is always a good idea.
