by Melissa Chichester
Does it seem like no matter what you do in the winter, you still suffer from dry skin? For those with sensitive, delicate skin, this problem is compounded. Cold temperatures, harsh winds, and unstable temperatures indoors can rob your skin of its natural balance, no matter what kind of skin type you have. With a little extra effort, you can maintain your skin’s radiance and moisture levels until the dry and cold season passes.
Keep a humidifier in your home and office to offset the effects of dry, hot air. Humidifiers add much-needed moisture back into the air, which helps the skin retain its natural moisture.
Hot water feels good after spending hours outdoors in frigid temperatures. Unfortunately, hot water dehydrates skin by stripping it of natural oils. Wash your face with lukewarm water to stop moisture stripping.
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Facial cleansers with glycolic acid or salicylic acid can be drying. In the winter months, use a cleanser with moisturizing properties and ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. After cleansing, don’t go more than a minute without applying moisturizer to add hydration back to your skin.
If you don’t already, apply a moisturizer before you go to bed. Night creams have many skin benefits, and helping your skin stay hydrated is one of them. You can also use gentle, skin-loving oils on your skin instead of a night cream, such as argan oil. When you start this step, you will wake up with plumper and more radiant skin thanks to the hours-long hydration hit.
Homemade face masks with hydrating ingredients from your kitchen can nourish dry skin. Ingredients such as bananas, avocado, honey, Greek yogurt, and almond oil can be whipped together to make a soothing and hydrating mask, such as the one below.
Ingredients
Directions
Mix together all ingredients until a creamy paste forms. Spread over fresh, clean skin. Leave the paste on the skin for 20-30 minutes for maximum hydration. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
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Don’t go outside with wet skin exposed to the dry, winter air. You might dash from the gym to your car with wet hands, a wet face, and soaking hair, but this habit creates more dryness. Damp skin will chap and dry out faster than skin that is not wet.
