With cold weather comes dry skin. Humidity levels are down, and the warm air from heaters indoors zaps moisture from skin. Hot air from the house heater and the car heater sucks out the moisture that keeps skin from flaking. A few simple skin care tips can prevent tight, dry skin from making the winter months unpleasant.
Keeping Facial Skin Moist and Healthy
The most important tool for keeping skin healthy in the winter months is a good moisturizer. Often in the warmer months, people neglect moisturizers due to the humidity in the air. But in the winter months, keeping skin moisturized is essential.
People should pick a moisturizer of their choice that fits their needs. Each person has different facial moisturizer needs. Picking a product should be based on the following considerations:
- Skin type: dry or oily
- Skin sensitivity
- Age of skin
- Skin condition: prone to acne or mild breakouts
When picking a moisturizer, find one that does not leave the skin greasy, especially if prone to oily skin.
For those with sensitive skin, products like Cetaphil and Eucerin are a good choice, since they are light and do not contain any harsh chemicals.
For teenagers or young adults, find a moisturizer made by a company that also makes acne treatments, like Neutrogena or Proactiv. These will not contain oil and will work with acne medications instead of against them.
Anti-aging moisturizers are available for older skin and those who want to prevent wrinkles while moisturizing.
An additional consideration is if the moisturizer contains SPF. Sun damage continues to be a threat during the winter months, and SPF can help prevent additional skin damage.
Always take the smell of the crème into consideration. A wide variety of floral, fruit and clean scents are available.
Apply moisturizer twice a day: in the morning under makeup and at night before bed, after cleansing the face.
An important thing to remember is to avoid too much exfoliation. When skin gets dry and flaky, it is a common first reaction to think of exfoliating the dry skin away. This is fine and helpful occasionally, but should not be done more than once a week. Exfoliation takes moisture out of the skin and ultimately will dry out the skin even more.
If possible, discontinue use of powdered make-ups during the winter, especially if they contain no liquid make-up. For those with very dry skin, try using liquid foundations.
Keeping Arms and Legs Moist
While arms and legs do not get the level of direct heat as the face does, they are often uncomfortably dry during the winter months.
Pick a body lotion according the level of skin dryness. If elbows and knees are the main problem area, try a product like Aquaphor, which is made for very dry skin and problem areas. For all-over dryness, Vaseline makes intensive treatments body lotions.
Drug stores offer many brands and many products for dry skin, and it is up the buyer to decide on a specific product. As long as the product fits the particular needs of the person, there is no wrong choice. Staying moisturized is the most important thing.
Apply lotion in the morning before being exposed to cold air, after a hot shower, and before bed. If hands and feet are problem areas, apply lotion and then cover with gloves and socks for optimum results.
Drinking plenty of water also helps keep moisture in skin.
Don’t Forget The Lips! Moisturize the Lips
Lips often are the most affected area. Do not use simply lip gloss during this time of the year. Find a lip moisturizer and wear it every day. Carmex and Aquaphor and made for very dry and damaged lips. Bert’s Bees and Chapstick are also good choices for lip protection. Look for a lip moisturizer with SPF to avoid sun damage, which causes additional damage and pain.
Francie Abbott - Francie Abbott graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Art's degree in English. She is currently attending The ...
