Beat Dry Skin With This Winter Routine

Winter has arrived and cold and dry weather is about to wreak havoc on our skin. Our clothes, along with our hair, is staticky and our skin probably is feeling itchy and chapped. I know the changing temperatures have already affected my skin and it’s time to nip it in the bud and prevent further irritation.

Goodbye Flakes & Static
We have all done that hair trick when you remove your winter cap and your hair is sticking straight up and follows your hand as you move it around your head. While that is a fun childhood memory, it also is a clear indication of lack of moisture. Staticky hair or an itchy, irritated scalp are common during the winter season. Dry hair looks dull and becomes difficult to style and flakes start flying, and I’m not talking about snow. Choose a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to help rejuvenate hair and lock in moisture. If you are struggling with scalp issues, opt for a shampoo that promotes a healthy scalp and conditions and moisturizes. Also try to avoid washing your hair daily in order to maintain the natural oils that prevent dryness.

Gently Cleanse
Cleansing twice daily is an important part of our skincare routine. This routine should be maintained during the winter months, however you should switch out your cleansers, both face and body, for a more gentle cleanser. Avoid cleansers containing soaps, perfumes, scents, or glycolic acid that can strip the oils from your skin. You will also want to use a gentle cleanser on already dry skin to help reduce and improve irritation. 

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Between masks, hand washing and hand sanitizer this winter your skin is going to need a lot more love. Moisturizing may be the #1 must do of all must dos. Moisturizers not only hydrate skin, they protect the skin from further drying. Moisturizing does stop with moisturizers. There are countless balms, facial oils, serums and creams out there that promote skin hydration. For added benefits, some can even be layered, example using facial oil over a moisturizer will lock in hydration even further than using a moisturizer alone. To prevent drying choose a more emollient facial moisturizer which will create a barrier and protect your skin while hydrating. For your body use a body butter or balm that soothes dry patches and prevents itching, especially focusing on your elbows and your heels. Also remember to exfoliate and remove dry skin prior to applying to insure proper absorption. Your hands are the most cleansed part of your body on a daily basis, so always keep a good hand cream on you to apply after each washing to prevent cracked knuckles and cuticles.

Don’t Forget Your Lips
For me, the first sign of dry weather hits me right in the mouth. My lips get chapped and the skin starts to crack. Just about everything I eat or drink irritates them even more. To tackle dry chapped lips, use a moisturizing scrub that removes all the dead skin, leaving your lips soothed and soft. Afterwards apply a soothing balm or lip masque that deeply hydrates and protects your lips from further chapping. 

Drink More Water
Dry skin season and New Years resolutions go hand in hand. If you aren’t already drinking more water throughout the day, now would be a good time to start. While there is no proven evidence to support that lack of water impacts skin hydration, it is important that we drink enough water to support our bodies and help nutrients reach the skin.  Not to mention the detoxifying effects water has on your body can benefit your skin. A more important relationship between water and our skin is the temperature we use when we bathe, shower or wash our hands. I adore a long hot shower, especially after being outside in the cold. It warms me up, but also aids in drying out my skin even more than the weather. So as good as it sounds at the time, turn the hot water down a tad and limit the duration of your shower, your skin will thank you. 

Check these favorite products to combat dry skin this winter

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