7 Winter Skin Savers

Updated: 2019

It’s wintertime — a season of colder temperatures, longer nights, and fun holiday festivities. When it comes to skincare, winter isn’t all fun and games. Cold gusts of wind and running the heat to banish the cold indoors takes a toll on our skin, leaving it dry, chapped, and dull.

One of the key elements taught in the cosmetology programs at Health and Style Institute is skin care, so we’ve compiled some simple, effective steps you can take to save your skin from the winter blues.

Save Your Skin with These Winter Care Tips

Turn Down the Heat

It seems counter-intuitive, because there’s nothing like a steaming hot shower or bath on a cold winter day, but hot water dries out your skin. Turning down the temperature (especially when washing your face and hands) will go a long way to preserving your skin’s natural oils.

Moisturize!

Cold temperatures outside and dry air inside means your skin needs moisturizing more than ever during the winter months. Look for a smart formula that has skin nourishing ingredients, such as oatmeal, shea butter, and oils. Keep a small bottle of lotion in your bag so you can moisturize on the go, and don’t forget to lather up after showering and before going to bed.

Stay Hydrated

Winter is the perfect time to settle in with a cozy cup of tea or hot cocoa, but don’t forget that your skin needs water to stay hydrated and healthy. Along with your other beauty routines, take care of your body from the inside out by drinking plenty of water.

Take Care of Your Skin This Winter with These Tips

Eat Smart

In addition to drinking more water, you can also eat foods with high water content, such a watermelon, apples, oranges, tomatoes, and zucchini. Be sure you’re getting enough vitamin C, which fights off free radicals and supports the production of collagen and elastin — essential for radiant, healthy skin. For an added boost of skin-smoothing protection, consider adding more healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, such as fish, nuts, and avocados.

Use Sunscreen

Hats, gloves, and scarves aren’t the only way to protect your skin from cold temperatures, rain, snow, and gusts of wind. Even on the coldest day of the year, it’s important to remember your sunscreen. Just because the temperatures are cold doesn’t mean the sun’s UV rays aren’t damaging your skin! Pick a sunscreen that contains moisturizers, and you’ll be doing your skin a double favor.

Change Your Cleanser

When it’s cold out, traditional soaps and cleaners will further dry out your skin. Switch to a soap-free, cream-based cleanser that helps your skin retain its moisture.

Exfoliate!

Just like using sunscreen, exfoliating is something that should be done year-round. Avoid dry, dull, and flaky skin by exfoliating with an oil-based scrub. Be sure to follow with moisturizer to lock in radiant, smooth skin.

With the right products and treatment, you can have healthy, moisture-rich skin all winter long. If you really want to give your skin a radiant winter boost, contact us to schedule a facial with one of our future skin care professionals.

7 Winter Skin Savers posted first on https://healthandstyleinstitute.tumblr.com