Is your skin experiencing damage from winter weather?
With winter comes brisk temperatures and inclement weather can cause our skin to change, often for the worse. Skin can dry out and feel uncomfortable. It can also look less healthy in appearance. We identified some common winter skin symptoms and how you can counteract them to maintain healthy-looking, hydrated skin.
Common Winter Skin Symptoms
Many people experience feelings of itchiness and skin tightness in the winter. This is because skin is likely to be drier in the winter months than in the spring and summer. Skin can also become more flaky in appearance and look grey and uneven. Are you plagued by these symptoms? Here’s how you can make your skin look and feel better.
How to Treat Winter Skin Symptoms
1. Exfoliate
The best way to get rid of flakiness is exfoliating. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from skin’s surface and will help your skin look less dry and flaky. It will also help skin be able to absorb products more effectively. Use an exfoliator formulated with fruit acids such as Garnier’s SkinActive’s Clean+ Balancing Gel Exfoliator. It’s full of antioxidants, sloughs of excess skin cells from skin’s surface, increases surface skin cell renewal, and smoothes the appearance of your complexion.
2. Moisturize
Your skin will have different needs in the winter than in the summer so consider using a different moisturizing product. Try to find a moisturizer with a slightly thicker consistency that will lock moisture into your skin. At night we suggest Garnier SkinActive’s Miracle Anti-Fatigue Sleeping Cream, which has the benefits of a mask but goes on like a cream. Formulated with lavender essential oil, hyaluronic and hydroxy Acids, it renews, firms and even reduces the appearance of wrinkles. This moisturizer will help you wake up with a fresh, youthful-looking face.
During the day it’s essential that you apply SPF as the sun is a big factor for skin dryness and damage even in the winter. Use at least an SPF 15 but go higher depending on how fair you are and your amount of sun exposure.
3. Hydrate
During the winter you need to be conscientious of three crucial steps when it comes to your daily hydration. First make sure you are drinking as much water as possible and getting hydration through fruits and vegetables. This can be done in the form of consuming tea or fresh fruit juice. A great way to start the day is with a glass of lukewarm water with a squeeze of lemon juice. You will quench your thirst after a good night’s sleep as well as ensure that you get Vitamin C, which can be beneficial to skin.
Step two in your hydration plan should be to moisturize right after showering or washing your face. If you apply your moisturizer during this time you will help lock in water particles on your skin, which can help it stay hydrated throughout the day. The longer you wait the more moisture is removed from your skin as water evaporates.
The third thing you should do is invest in a humidifier to make the air in your home less dry. It will help keep skin hydrated, which will make it more supple and reduce flakiness, as well as feelings of tightness.
4. Embrace Cooler Temperatures
A hot shower on a freezing winter day feels amazing but unfortunately it’s not amazing for your skin. This is especially true if you splash hot water on your face or cleanse in the shower. Avoid depriving your skin of precious moisture by taking a lukewarm shower instead. When you wash your face you should also embrace cooler temperatures to avoid further irritating your parched skin.
5. Add An Oil Or Serum To The Mix
Supercharge moisture in your skin care routine by applying a serum. Serums can give skin a boost with antioxidants such as pro-retinol, Vitamin C or green tea and help to brighten the appearance of dull winter skin and restore its balance. A face oil will also do the trick and allow you to wake up with hydrated and healthy-looking skin.
