Fall is here and soon winter will follow. Unfortunately, it’s not only the weather that changes. Your skin will also go through its own changes as a way of adapting to the cooler weather. Some people experience dry, flaky skin and chapped lips, while others prone to facial outbreaks may experience an increase caused by extra oily skin. Thankfully, there are treatment options available to help you achieve and maintain beautiful, healthy skin.
Contributing Factors
While the dropping temperature plays a role, other factors, such as taking frequent hot baths and showers, turning on the heat, and the selection of materials in heavier winter garments, will also contribute to skin changes.
Limiting Shower Time
To warm up, many people take longer and hotter showers during the cold weather months. Reducing your time in the shower, and lowering the temperature, will prevent the skin from drying out and becoming itchy, red, and irritated.
Applying Moisturizer After Bathing
Applying a light moisturizer, preferably skincare for sensitive skin, immediately after drying off from your shower, will enrich the skin with necessary moisture. Try to find products that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.
Hydrate with Serum
Include a serum that hydrates into your daily skincare regimen. It will give your skin a more youthful glow. In addition, a high-quality serum works to reduce the appearance of both fine lines and wrinkles. Apply generously daily to achieve the best results.
Lip Balm
You may think that lip balm is something you apply in the summer to protect your lips from harmful sun rays. While this is true, a lip balm free of petroleum can protect your lips from dryness which can lead to painful cracks.
Benefits of Retaining Water
During the winter the indoor air quality tends to dry skin out. Adding a humidifier to your living space and bedroom will restore lost moisture to the air and allow for improved skin hydration.
Cover Your Hands
You spend more time indoors during the cold-weather months which often leads to completing more house cleaning chores. When handling cleaners and dish soaps, make sure to wear disposable gloves. The less exposure to chemicals, the less likely your skin is to break out.
Sunscreen Isn’t Just for Summer
Sunscreen protects the skin from over-exposure to potentially harmful rays. Most people put their sunscreen away during the fall and winter months. However, when the skin is dry and irritated it’s easier for the sun’s rays to penetrate the skin. Make sure to protect all exposed areas of the body during daylight hours.
Hand Cream
Your hands come in contact with water many times throughout the day. Keeping a tube of hand cream in your possession allows you to reapply as often as necessary to keep them soft, supple, and properly hydrated.
Exfoliate the Skin
Removing dead layers of skin will promote a healthy glow. After months of spending time outdoors, your skin needs a revival. Using a product with oil will scrub off dead skin cells and leave behind a protective barrier that coats the skin.
Change to a Gentle Acne Product
If you’re prone to acne, using a harsh cleanser that dries out the skin can have a negative impact during the winter months. Since cold weather already promotes dry, flaky skin, switching to a gentle cleanser will offer better results.
Remain Indoors Until Your Skin is Dry
When the weather is warm you often head outdoors immediately after showering. However, this same practice during the winter can leave your skin dry and irritated. If you need to shower prior to work or school, set your alarm a half-hour earlier to allow more time.
Maintaining healthy, hydrated skin in the fall/winter is possible. By making a few slight changes to your daily skincare routine, you’ll avoid the potential for dry, irritated, and chapped skin.