Winter can be particularly brutal to the delicate skin on your face and neck. Lower humidity levels and the drying effects of heating systems are just the beginnings of your troubles. Colder temperatures in many places often result in less active oil glands, meaning the problems are more than skin deep.
Luckily, these problems are often relatively simple to fix. You can do many simple things to help you prepare for winter conditions that cause dry skin. Here are five that you can get started with today.
1. Hydrate Skin From Within
Your skin is one of the largest parts of your entire body, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it requires a lot of the nutrients you take in. One of those is water. The average adult needs between 11 and 16 cups of fluid daily to maintain proper body functioning. So take a realistic look to see if you are meeting those goals.
There is no need to panic if you aren’t. Remember, some of the fluids will come from food, especially if you eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in the nutrient. Plus, you can make your daily water more palatable by adding sliced citrus fruit or carbonation.
2. Find a Daily Skin Care Routine That Works
Another thing you can do year-round to maintain strong, healthy-looking skin is developing a daily skin regimen. Precisely what that means will vary depending on things like hormone levels, your age, the local climate, and what type of skin you have. However, there are a few general rules that most people can follow.
A great place to start is with an appropriate cleanser. Keep in mind that even if you have oily skin, you still want something gentle. After all, those oils can become some of your best friends in defeating dry skin.
A moisturizing sunscreen is another must-use daily item. Choose one based on your skin type, appearance concerns, and budget. Many people find that a nourishing face serum is an excellent addition to a daily skincare routine. Formulations are available to support healthy-looking skin of various types.
3. Apply Sunscreen Every Day
As mentioned earlier, sunscreen is an absolute must for daily use. However, its importance goes beyond the need for daily moisture. The sun’s harmful UV rays can cause serious damage to unprotected skin.. The solution is simple: Find a sunscreen you like and use it every single day.
4. Upgrade your Bedding
You probably know that getting enough sleep is essential to maintaining healthy skin. However, you may not realize that where and how you sleep can also play a role.
Bedding quality can make a difference in skin’s appearance. Pure cotton has long been the recommended choice, although some new silk sheets also make pro-skin claims. Regardless of the material, you should wash your sheets at least once a week in warm or hot water. This helps remove dead skin cells and bacteria that can cause irritation.
5. Limit Stressful Situations
The stress of daily life can quickly eat away at both your composure and complexion. Luckily, how you react to stressful situations is something you have some control over.
Since you can’t avoid them altogether, it’s a good idea to find a way to conquer your stressors. There are plenty of fun ways to help defeat stress. For example, you can schedule a weekly get-together with friends, try a yoga class at the gym, or tap your inner creativity by writing in a journal.
Sure, winter can be tough on your skin. It often results in dryness and leads to increased irritation of certain conditions. However, you can take steps throughout the year to prepare for healthy winter skin, such as using sunscreen, practicing good sleep hygiene, and minimizing the effects of stress.
