The winter season can bring on cozy clothing, festive season’s greetings and delicious food. With the beautiful blanket of winter snow that often accompanies this change in season can come a cool, harsh winter’s wind and cold temperatures. This can be brutal on the skin and leave you with chapped lips, cracked skin and significant discomfort. While there is an inherent harshness to the chill of winter, you do not need to endure this distressed state. Here are a few ways that you can protect your skin this winter so that you can enjoy all that it has to offer without any of the trouble of cracked skin.
Sun Protection
A common misconception exists around winter and sun protection. Because of the cold temperatures, many people don’t realize that you can still burn. Especially when there is snow on the ground, the sun can reflect leaving you vulnerable to sun damage; however, you may not realize that you are burning. To avoid causing harm to your skin this season, make sure that you apply sunscreen anytime that you will be outdoors for a prolonged period and equipping yourself with spf lip balm.
Hydration
Something else that you may not be paying a lot of attention to this winter that is key to your skin’s health is hydration. Your body is compromised by a significant amount of fluids and this is even more important as the weather gets colder and drier. The specific amount of water you need depends on a variety of factors including your weight, climate and health; however, on average, adults need about 2.7 to 3.7 liters of fluids per day, most of which should be water.
Lowered Temperature
Dryness in the air, especially when you are pumping dry heat through your home, can contribute to your skin’s state. If you want to improve the state of your skin, consider lowering your thermostat. While this can help contribute to a less harsh environment for your skin, you can also add a humidifier to add additional moisture to the air if you are still finding the air too dry.
Moisturizer
While hydrating on the inside is critical, you can also use a moisturizer to hydrate the outer layers of your body. Using a moisturizer consistently can help you combat the dryness, but you should also make sure that you pay additional attention to any exposed parts of your body. Particularly areas that are often uncovered like your hands, face and ears should be given extra attention and lotion.
Skincare Products
During the chillier months, you should be mindful of your skincare products. Not all products are created equal and some can even cause drying effects. If you want to keep your skin healthy, vibrant and protected, you need to ensure that you have skincare products that address your particular needs. If you are not sure where to start, consider consulting your doctor or a dermatologist to discuss options that would work best for your circumstances.
Washing up
Washing up, showering and cleaning your body may be on your mind with germs that can often come with the winter months; however, these can also contribute to dryness and a more vulnerable state. While you want to wash your hands vigorously and shower consistently, try avoiding washing your hair daily as this can dry out your scalp and opt for a less harsh soap that can leave your hands clean without leaving them raw and compromised. While you still will want to keep up your good hygiene, some strategies can help while also protecting your skin. While you cannot control the harsh impact that the winter season has on your skin, you can make choices that can support healthier skin. Make sure that you can set your skin up for success to avoid discomfort this winter season so that nothing gets in the way of your holiday cheer and cozy comforts.
