If you are a New Englander, born and raised or new to the area, you know first-hand how much the cold weather during the winter months can affect your skin. Because colder weather has low humidity, on top of the fact that buildings are cranking the heat, it can directly cause our skin to become dry and flaky, which is a super uncomfortable feeling.
In addition to being uncomfortable with dry skin, you will find that it will become itchier. And even further, you can run into the issue of developing skin conditions such as xerosis or even eczema. While everyone’s skin reacts differently to the colder weather, one thing rings true, and that is the importance of protecting your skin.
Skin protects you from everything – sun damage, viruses, bacteria, and so much more. Therefore, it is extremely important that you are “winter proofing” it to make sure that it’s in the best condition possible.
Here are some ways that you should prepare and maintain your skin throughout the cold months.
1 – Cleanse your skin.
First, find a cleanser that works for you and your skin and make sure that you stick to it. You should be cleansing skin once a day, making sure to place an extra focus on your face, hands, and feet. Make sure that you are using a cleanser that does not irritate or negatively affect it. And be sure to not overdo it when it comes to cleansing, because this can further dry you out!
2 – Moisturize.
Moisturizing is key to protecting skin during the winter months. When it comes to moisturizing, there are so many different options, but some of the best moisturizers are cream or petroleum based. It is likely that you will need to use a special moisturizer for your face to avoid breaking out. If you are someone that has sensitive skin, look for moisturizers that do not have any fragrance. Try to make a routine to moisturize each morning and night.
3 – Don’t use hot water too often.
Hot showers and baths can be relaxing and feel great during the winter months. Unfortunately, taking extremely hot showers and baths can very quickly dry out skin. While you want to use hot water, try to limit the use of it so that you are not further drying your skin out. And be sure to pat your skin dry immediately after!
4 – Protect yourself from the cold.
Whether you are going out into the cold weather for the day to ski or snowboard, or simply going outside to go for a walk or run some errands, you must protect skin from the cold weather. You can do this by applying petroleum or cream to your face before going outside and loading up on the Chapstick!
5 – Protect yourself from the sun.
During the winter, many people forget that they should still protect their skin from the sun. Make sure that you are incorporating sunscreen into your daily skincare regimen, especially if you are planning on being exposed to the sun for a long period of time. Remember to protect yourself from the sun regardless of the season!
6 – Stock up on Vitamin D.
Taking your vitamins every day is key for your health, and this is especially true for vitamin D during the winter. When we are in the warmer months, you are naturally enjoying the outdoors more, and therefore getting enough natural vitamin D from the sunlight. During the winter, it gets dark earlier and is extremely chilly, so you are likely avoiding the outdoors more. Take some vitamin D supplements so that you can ensure you are getting the recommended amount every day.