Winter skin.
Baby, it's still cold outside. And your skin is taking a beating.
But it's not just the cold that's leaving you parched; it's the extreme temperature jump you experience going from the frigid, windy outdoors to your heated indoor locale, which tends to be warm and dry. That extreme is really tough on your skin; indoor dryness is problematic because it pulls water out of your skin. It is obvious that going outside into the cold, brisk air that it can be drying, but even worse for your skin is the dry, overheated indoor environment you sleep and work in.In The Morning
Hydrated skin starts in the showerThose extra-long, hot showers that are oh-so luxurious this time of year? Sorry, but they aren't doing you any favours. You're actually going to pull out natural oils in your skin and make your skin drier and resistant to moisturisers. Take the temperature down a notch and once you're done, gently pat your body dry. It's when your skin is damp that it's best to moisturise, so that you can fully soak up the product. Opt for a thick body cream that comes in a jar because its base is likely oil, which will hydrate you more than a water-based lotion will. And look for something that contains shea butter or lactic acid: shea butter is rich and hydrating, and lactic acid is an exfoliant, so it'll slough away dead skin cells. Or skip the cream and opt for a body oil.
You Need Sunscreen
Yes, even though it's winter, you always need some protection, because the sun's harmful rays are active year-round (even during cloudy days and rain too). If you aren't wearing a hat and sunscreen daily, you need to start now. Not only does sun damage lead to skin cancer, it also causes wrinkles, sunspots and fine lines. You may be able to get away with a lower SPF - say, 15 instead of 30 - but you still want to look for a broad-spectrum product, which means it guards against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen may be all the moisturiser you need, but if you want more...
Apply More
If you want to put moisturiser over your sunscreen, look for a product with hyaluronic acid, which helps the body retain water and therefore keeps it looking plump.
Don't start with a flaky base; use exfoliation and moisturiser before your makeup goes on. Use a cream concealer with fuller coverage to mix winter redness and splotches, and then, mix a bit of cream foundation with beauty oil to get a beautiful, glowing complexion every time. Topping it off with cream blush will add some life back into the skin.
Throughout The Day
Eat rightThe right foods will keep your skin glowing. Step up your intake of healthy fats - found in foods like avocados, olive oil, walnuts and salmon - to keep your skin soft. Water will keep your body's hyaluronic acid working its magic. But go easy on simple sugars and processed foods, since they cause inflammation.
Be Winter-Savvy on The Go
Try carrying a travel size lotion with you so you can reapply throughout the day, especially after you wash your hands, when skin gets dry again. And before you go out into the cold, cover up - don't wait until you're outside to start fighting it. Put on your hat and gloves inside so as not to expose your skin to the frigid temps.
Fight chapped lips
Your best bet is to keep applying lip balm and make sure it has SPF. Try exfoliating once a week to help your balm penetrate more. And avoid salty foods when possible - they'll just dry you out more.
At Night
After cleansing with cleanser and lukewarm water a night-time serum and then a cream to keep your skin glow. And add a humidifier to your bedroom to combat dry, dehydrating air during the night. It will add just enough moisture to the environment to give your skin the chance to do some real healing.
Night time soothing tea bath.
1 cup chamomile tea leaves1 cup of rosemary
Boil a large pot of water with both teas. Cook for 15 minutes. Strain and add the water to your bath.
Not only will you feel relaxed from your day, this potion will soothe your skin and help you sleep like nothing else
No comments:
Post a Comment