When the weather the outside is frightful, your skin can also feel the same way. Chapped winter skin can be super uncomfortable but not untreatable. To restore smoothness, hydration, and radiance to your face and body, follow these helpful tips, and bask in the simple pleasure of healthy, comfortable skin.
Hydrate
The biggest tip I can offer is hydrate hydrate, hydrate! Drink lots of water and caffeine free tea to keep your skin nice all winter long. Even with all of the things you can do on the outside, nourishing your skin from the inside is key. This also means to stay away from caffeine, sugar and nicotine as all of these deplete your skin of essential moisture.
Wash Up
Long, hot showers can be as therapeutic as a massage, but soaking in hot water actually dehydrates the skin. Very hot water strips away the skin’s natural oils faster than warm or cool water, which is why skin sometimes feels tight or itchy after a hot soak. Especially your scalp, hot water really does a number on your hair and the sensitive skin.
The remedy? Take shorter showers in comfortably warm water. Not only is it better for your skin’s hydration levels, but you’ll use less water, which is better for the earth! Also, make sure to pat your skin dry after bathing in order to allow the skin to absorb the residual moisture.
Sharpen Up
One of the main causes of irritation for any skin type is shaving with old or improper tools. It is especially true for very dry skin, as dehydrated skin is more sensitive by nature. When it comes to shaving dry skin, using the right tools will make all the difference in the world.
First, use a new razor blade whenever possible. Trying to save money by using the same blade for days or even weeks at a time will only lead to bumps, razor burn, and cuts. Stock up when there’s a sale, or look for coupons from your favorite razor retailers.
Secondly, throw out your foaming shaving cream and replace it with a slick, high-quality, all natural shaving lotion.
Pucker Up
Sore, chapped lips are probably the number one complaint during winter. It’s almost impossible to avoid suffering from chapped, flaky lips when the wind is blowing and the heaters are running. Because lips don’t have their own oil glands, they become dry easily, and are somewhat difficult to treat. To keep your pout ready all the way through Valentine’s day, follow these lip-inspired guidelines:
- Protect physically with a scarf, or slather on a moisturizing lip care product.
- Replenish the moisture in your home by using a humidifier. Modern heating units dry out our environment, which affects everything from our hair to our nails! Heaters are particularly harsh on the areas of the body that don’t have oil glands, like the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and lips. Using a humidifier will help relieve chapped lips, dry hands and dry cracked feet.
- Prevent dry lips by not licking them. The constant wetting and drying caused by lip-licking will chap your lips in no time flat. To help break the habit, coat your lips in garlic infused olive oil. Both the garlic and olive oil will moisturize and nourish your lips, but the taste and smell will keep you from licking. Be sure to keep this tip to at-home use only though!
Finally, remember that sunscreen is a year-round necessity. Over 80% of the sun’s rays are able to penetrate clouds and fog, so keep your skin protected. Using a dry skin moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or greater is the perfect way to restore comfort and moisture while shielding your skin against UV damage.
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