Last Updated on November 15, 2022
Frosty winter days are almost here, and as the cooler air drifts in and you pull your cozy sweaters and hoodies out of storage, you should also consider adjusting your skincare routine. It’s a proven fact that dry, cold winter air draws moisture from your skin, but you can combat those effects with a few great products and just a little extra time.
Skincare Ingredients You Need in Your Arsenal
Some skincare products contain essential ingredients you need in your beauty cabinet. Yes, need. These include:
- Hyaluronic Acid – This ingredient is essential for providing hydration to your skin instantly and in the long term. You can feel some relief from your dry skin almost immediately, but you will also appreciate that this ingredient can lock moisture into your skin for a long time.
- Ceramides – Your skin’s natural barrier is made up of ceramides (among other things), and you might need to replenish these from time to time. So look for skincare products containing ceramides so you can capitalize on rebuilding your skin’s natural layer.
- Creamy Moisturizers – During the winter, you should focus on heavier, creamier skincare products. This is essential because your skin likely needs a more significant moisture boost than it might during other seasons.
Look for skincare products that contain all of these ingredients to build up the moisture on your skin, lock it in, and combat the dry air that might strip away your natural moisture.
Don’t Neglect Your SPF
Just because the skies are gray and gloomy doesn’t mean you can forget about sunscreen. Studies have shown that UV rays can be most powerful when the sun isn’t even out, so sunscreen should still be an integral part of your routine.
Harper’s Bazaar explains it like this:
“Dr. Hextall says that just because it is winter, it doesn’t mean you should put away your sun cream. ‘While there is less UVB around in winter, levels of UVA (or UV-Ageing as it is known in the dermatology world) are still significant enough to age our skin. I advocate using a sunscreen that specifically has a high UVA rating, like Ladival, all year round to protect your skin.'”
There’s plenty of scientific evidence that SPF products are more effective than other skincare products alone, so stock up on sunscreen even if you haven’t seen the sun in weeks.
Embrace Frequent Hand Washing
Your hands can easily get dried out during the winter season, particularly if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Therefore, frequent hand washing must always be a focus. Not only does regular hand washing protect you from germs, but it can also give your hands the moisture you need to prevent chapped hands. Provided that you use the right kind of hand sops, of course. Stick to creamy, moisturizing formulas that feel good on dehydrated skin.
Take Frequent Baths
In addition to being super relaxing, baths are much better for skin quality than showers for a few reasons. First, they reduce stress and allow your skin to recover and rebuild. At the same time, you gain the benefit of having water up against your skin the entire time. Your skin can absorb some of the water, so it may be possible for you to get extra moisture back into your skin immediately. If you want to up the moisture factor, try adding creamy bath milk to the water that leaves your skin silky smooth.
Pull Back on Alcohol Consumption
Finally, something you can do to prevent some of the dryness that might creep up on your skin is to reduce your alcohol consumption. Of course, the winter holidays present us with many opportunities to drink, and while it’s ok to indulge in a cocktail or two, keep in mind that alcohol is known to draw moisture out of the skin, which is probably why you feel so dehydrated after a night of drinking.
Many things can impact the quality of your skin, but you have some control over how this all plays out. So make sure you protect your skin in any way possible so you keep that dewy glow all winter long.