Winter can be a tough time for individuals who struggle with dry skin, as low humidity can intensify the problem. Fortunately, there ways you can protect yourself from the effects of cold, windy weather. Here are three steps to create a dry skin regime for winter.
- Exfoliate
Exfoliating can be helpful any time of the year but it’s especially important to combat dryness during winter. When you exfoliate, you’re removing dead skin cells that can block the new, fresh cells below from fully absorbing facial treatments. Exfoliating before applying moisturizer can boost its effectiveness.
One thing to remember, however, is that you don’t need to exfoliate every day during the dry months. A few times a week is ideal for most people. Exfoliating too often can cause irritation and even compound dryness.
- Use Hydrating Products
There are a lot of moisturizing products on the market but some of the most effective can be skin hydration serums. These are natural products that often have additional benefits. For example, Squalane Oil offers increased elasticity and fine line reduction in addition to hydration, while Hyaluronic Acid repairs skin cells. There are an abundance of serum options out there, meaning you can find the right formula to address your combination of concerns.
- Avoid Dehydrating Treatments
You may not realize it, but some scrubs, washes and toners have harsh ingredients that can dry out your skin. While you still need to cleanse your face regularly, during the cold months you’ll want to avoid treatments that contain elements such as these:
- Salicylic acid
- Alcohol
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Sodium chloride
Instead, opt for more mild cleansers that contain hydrating ingredients like aloe vera or glycolic acid.
Learning how to keep skin hydrated despite the weather may seem difficult at first, but it’s actually just a matter of preparation. Remember to exfoliate regularly, rely on your face serum and toss harsh chemicals – then you can have soft, supple skin even during the winter months.
