Winter is right around the corner which means cozy scarves and sweaters, fires in the fireplace, and that crisp chill in the air. Though we all love to experience rosy cheeks and snowflake-kissed eyelashes, as the winter temperatures start to fall our skin begins to pay the price.

Winter air is drier, and humidity is lower which is what leads to cracked or chapped skin, loss of hydration, and ultimately, inflammation. Along with the weather change, the change in our lifestyle habits like dry indoor temperatures from heaters, zaps our skin’s moisture. When your skin loses its moisture barrier, it weakens its ability to protect itself. It’s important to pay attention to your skin’s seasonal needs and adjust accordingly!

Why Winter Weather Affects Our Skin

Harsh winter weather isn’t the only thing to blame for this loss of moisture and weakening of your skin barrier. The changes in your lifestyle during the winter months also play a role.

We ramp up the heat, use our fireplaces more, increase our exposure to hot water, we change the type of fabric and clothing we wear, the amount of water we intake, and even our frequent handwashing habits are all contributing factors to stripping the skin of its natural oil and moistures.

The weather conditions and changes in your routine are all factors to consider as soon as you notice your skin reacting to all the changes. Read on for the visible effects the cold has on your skin, so you can address them with some effective, easy winter skin care tips.

Common Signs You are Experiencing Winter Skin Issues

Hydration station is the name of the game for winter! Anything that adds hydration to the air, your insides and your outsides will benefit your skin. Hydration at the cellular level is essential to keeping skin supple. Because the skin barrier is weakened and lacks moisture, a host of skin discomforts may occur:

• Redness, itchiness and/ or irritation
• Rougher and/ or uneven skin texture
• Increased dryness that accentuates visibility of your pores and wrinkles
• Flaking, peeling, or even painful cracking of the skin
• Your skin is more sensitive than usual

If you’re experiencing any of the above, it’s safe to say your skin needs a little extra TLC, and a skincare adjustment!

Winter Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Skin Radiantly Glowing

Healthy skin tips for the cold winter months include changes in both your skincare product lineup as well as your lifestyle and bathroom habits. If you want to achieve hydrated skin that stays comfortable and clear here are a few skincare tips for the upcoming winter season:

Drink More Water

As winter sets in and temperatures begin to drop, the air around us tends to become drier and our bodies receive less moisture as compared to warmer months. Skincare isn’t just about what you put on your skin. It’s also about what you put inside your body. Staying hydrated is important year round, but especially in those cold winter months!

Internal hydration directly correlates to how well our bodies work, and that includes our skins health. Water helps clear toxins from the skins surface that cause inflammation and blemishes. It also assists in transporting nutrients and oxygen to skin cells and prevents dehydration. It can even make skin appear fuller since the hyaluronic acid that naturally exists in skin will pull in and retain the water longer.

Though it is normally recommended to drink 8- 8oz glasses a day, there is no one magic amount of water to drink for optimal health. However, this is a good goal for most to try to reach. But keep in mind that if you find yourself “thirsty” which means your body is already dehydrated. Upping your hydration is key so it may be time to invest in a good water bottle and start chugging.

Use a Gentle Cleanser

Over washing, or washing with the wrong products, can actually make your skin worse especially in the dryer months. Stick to a twice-daily skin cleansing session, and use the gentlest, mildest products you can find that don’t make you react. These types of cleansers are usually made from plant oils and from natural skin care lines. Containing ingredients like aloe, jojoba, or rosehip will clean your skin without any extra dryness keeping your skin happy.

Also, there’s no reason to wash more often than this unless you have a specific concern (makeup melting off in the heat, for example). Once you’ve washed, use a soft microfiber towel to gently blot your skin dry. Don’t scrub, rub, or roughly dry your face with thicker towels, as you risk tiny tears and excessive dryness.

Start Using a Serum

If you have not already incorporated a serum into your skincare routine, you might be missing out on some of the most effective moisturizing and anti-aging benefits. Serums are formulas that are often highly concentrated, and they consist of nutrients, vitamins, and a boat-load of other beneficial ingredients that pack a punch and target skin concerns. Including the most common winter problem of dry skin.

Serums containing hyaluronic acid use this powerful humectant to grab moisture out of the air and hold it to your skin’s surface to deliver deep, lasting hydration. Serums are applied after cleansing and before a moisturizer to allow ingredients to really absorb into skin and provide max results. A hydrating serum is a perfect way to give some moisturizing and anti-aging benefits to protect against dry winter air!

Bring on the Moisture!

Though you should be moisturizing year round, it is especially important in the winter season! If you feel like your face cannot get enough moisture during winter, or you still have dry patches at the end of the day, you may need to step up your hydration game.

Sometimes to be able to stand up to the mega dryness of winter you might need to apply a moisturizer more frequently or add a nighttime moisturizer into your skin care routine. Look for ones that contain ingredients like fatty acids and ceramides, which help to lock in the skins moisture and help to maintain its protective barrier. Even those with oily skin can still dry out in winter and can benefit from regular hydration. Look for an oil-free moisturizer that includes alpha hydroxy acids which will help control oil provide balanced moisture.

If you are frequently outdoors, or in a warm dry environment consider carrying a smaller travel size moisturizer with you to apply as needed!

Do Not Skip SPF!

Many people think that they can skip their daily SPF in the winter because you’re no longer basking in the summer sun. But that doesn’t mean that your skin no longer needs protection. Year round SPF is critical but especially in the winter.

While UV rays tend to be less intense in the winter when the rays themselves actually reflect more intensely off snow! So, please remember that SPF is essential year round!

Limit Shower Time and Temperature

As much as we all love to relax and unwind in a gloriously hot shower after a long day out in the cold. By exposing our skin to too much heat especially for extended periods of time can cause it to dry out even more.

Try to limit your steamy shower to ten minutes, tops, and opt for a lukewarm shower (or cooler water if you can handle it).

Maximize Moisture and Minimize Dry Atmospheres

Consider investing in a humidifier which can help restore moisture levels in the air. This also can directly affect how well your skin retains its moisture. Keep one running in your office, bedroom, or other areas you spend a lot of time in may help to hydrate your skin.

As tempting as it is to crank up the heat after being frozen, keeping it set to a comfortable level — no more than 72F — may help with your dry skin. Remember to minimize the dry atmospheres we are in so that we can provide our skin all the help to maximize its moisture!

Adapt And Glow

Winter is coming but will not last forever, but it’s still important to make sure your skin can thrive regardless of the season change. With a few small adjustments to your skincare routine and product choices, you can still show off your radiant- healthy skin, and glow your way through any cold, winter day.

For more Skincare Tips and Tricks check out Raybae Beauty Blogs!