15 Simple Yet Effective Winter Skincare Tips For Managing Dry And Oily Skin
As winter approaches, the time comes to bundle up and prepare the furnace for lower temperatures. However, winter skincare involves more than just wearing warm, furry coats and turning on the heat. Cold weather is harsh on both dry and oily skin. The air becomes cold and dry, and with less moisture, the skin loses moisture quickly. This can cause several problems, including flaking, itching, and bumps on the skin. Fortunately, there are several strategies for maintaining smooth, healthy skin during the winter. Here are fifteen simple yet effective winter skincare tips for dry and oily skin.
Cleanse Daily
Skin on the face is most likely to be affected by the cold temperatures because it is always exposed to the atmosphere. Washing the face twice a day and doing a deep cleanse at night can help in maintaining smooth, clear skin. Deep cleansing using a quality product opens up the pores and removes impurities, oil, and other debris in the skin. It also leaves the skin feeling fresh and reduces the chances of suffering acne or breakouts during the winter. When purchasing a cleansing product, choose a mild one that will not dry out the skin.
Exfoliate Once A Week
Scrubbing the face and body is an integral part of a good skincare routine. It gets rid of dead cells on the outermost layer of the skin that cause it to look dull and flaky. It also removes impurities, such as oil and bacteria, which can clog the pores and cause breakouts. During the winter, limit scrubbing to once or twice every week because excessive scrubbing can cause redness, itching, or drying. Invest in a mild scrub with jojoba, almond, olive, or grapeseed oil as these ingredients moisturize the skin and restore essential nutrients.
Invest In A Moisturizer
Cold air makes skin dry, so it is essential to invest in a product that will keep the skin moisturized at all times. A good product will also seal moisture in the skin and protect the outer layer from harsh weather. Those with dry skin need a heavy, long-wearing moisturizer because their skin dries out faster. Those with oily skin should choose a light, oil-free product. Regardless of skin type, choose a moisturizer labelled 'non-comedogenic.' This means that it will not clog the pores and cause problems, such as acne. Use the moisturizer immediately after showering, before leaving home, and when going to bed.
Make Homemade Hydrating Masks
Masks provide an effective way to hydrate the skin and provide essential nutrients. Homemade face masks are ideal options as they are made of natural products and do not contain chemicals that can dry out or irritate the skin. When making the masks, use such ingredients as honey, yogurt, avocado, aloe, buttermilk, and jojoba or olive oil. Apply the mask twice a week to lock in moisture on the face. When buying masks, ensure they contain natural products and essential oils.
Apply Sunscreen
It is common to assume that because the sun is weak during the winter, there is no need to use sunscreen. However, skin gets exposed to UV radiation from the sun even when it is not scorching hot outside. As a result, sunscreen is as essential during the winter as it is in the summer. Invest in a quality product with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least thirty, and use it before leaving home for the day. Alternatively, buy a moisturizer that contains sun protection. Use the product on any part of the skin that will be exposed to the sun or on the entire body.
Use Skin Toners
Skin toners are an important part of a skincare routine, particularly for those with oily skin. During the winter, skin tends to produce more oil to compensate for the dryness. If this oil is not managed, it can clog pores and cause further problems. A good toner can remove the excess oil and prevent a 'shiny' face. It also reduces the need to frequently reapply face powder when wearing makeup. Look for a toner that is gentle on the skin and does not contain harsh, drying ingredients. Use it once a day after washing and cleansing the face.
Avoid Long Hot Showers
When it is cold outside, it can be tempting to take a long hot shower. However, although a warm shower may feel good, it is not healthy for the skin during the winter. The water’s high temperatures dry out the skin quickly and can do more harm than good. Take lukewarm showers to protect the skin from losing moisture. If taking a hot shower is critical, keep it short. In either case, use a moisturizer immediately after.
Make Dietary Adjustments
To keep skin in good condition, cut down on fried foods during winter. The skin depends on nutrients in food to remain nourished, smooth, and healthy. Greasy foods clog pores, particularly on the face, which can lead to skin conditions. To avoid this, switch to healthier foods that nourish the body and skin. These include vegetables, natural fats, and fruits. Fruits and natural juices, smoothies, and fruit shakes with vitamins A and E are essential as they reduce skin damage, keep it supple and smooth, and protect against acne.
Change Makeup Products
Some makeup products protect the skin during the winter whereas others damage it. As winter approaches, go through makeup products at home and look for those with a high alcohol content; set these products aside for the summer because they can make the skin dry out during the winter. In addition, avoid damp makeup because it can clog pores in the skin. The best products for winter are light, hydrating makeup products. Aside from protecting the skin, they do not 'cake' on the skin as do most damp products during the winter. Another strategy for locking moisture into the face is to mix foundation or primer with a few drops of moisturizer.
Invest In Lip Balms
The lips are as susceptible to the effects of cold temperatures as is every other part of the body. Therefore, they should be moisturized at all times. One of the best ways to do this is by investing in a hydrating lip balm. Use it on the lips before applying lipstick or other products. When buying a lip balm for the winter, look for unscented products because they tend to be heavier and more effective than their scented counterparts. Avoid lip products with alcohol and other ingredients, which can dry out the lips and cause chapping.
Shave Less Often
Maintain healthy skin during the winter by shaving less often. Shaving unnecessarily irritates the skin and causes it to dry out more when it is exposed to air. During the winter, most skin on the body is covered by clothes, hats, boots, and other accessories. Therefore, there is less of a need to shave in the first place. Think of winter as a lucky opportunity to shave less often. If frequent shaving is necessary, do it after a warm shower, avoid using shaving products excessively, and moisturize afterwards.
Stay Hydrated
Such simple habits as drinking adequate water every day can also keep skin healthy during the winter. Water hydrates the body, gives life to cells, and creates a medium for the body to get rid of toxins (through urine). Without adequate water, the body is unable to flush out toxins, and they accumulate on the skin. Eventually, they clog the pores and cause the skin to look dull. Drinking several glasses of water each day keeps skin smooth. It is also good for the liver.
Cover Up As Much As Possible
Winter is not the time to walk around in strapless tops and thigh-high skirts and shorts. Exposing too much skin to the harsh weather makes it more difficult to maintain healthy skin. Instead, invest in clothes that cover up most of the body. These include winter coats, pants, long-sleeved shirts and sweaters, and hats. Boots are also preferable to open shoes. Covering up as much of the skin as possible will protect it from losing moisture and succumbing to the effects of winter weather.
Invest In A Humidifier
Furnaces, heating stoves, and other heating systems are critical to indoor comfort during the winter. However, as they heat the air in a home, they also dry it out. This causes the skin to lose moisture to the surrounding environment. Using a humidifier in the home is an effective way to restore moisture to the air when running a heating system. With adequate moisture in the air, the skin will not lose as much of it. In addition to using a humidifier, avoid sitting too close to a heater as the hot air can damage the skin.
Do Not Forget The Hands And Nails
It is easy to focus on facial skin and forget that the hands and nails also need attention to keep them in good shape during the winter. The hands are routinely cleaning objects, carrying items, and completing other tasks that expose them to water, cold air, and snow. Keep the hands and nails moisturized by carrying a hand moisturizer and using it every time the hands are exposed to water. It is also helpful to wear warm hand gloves regularly to protect the hands from wrinkling and the nails from looking frail and chapped.