Winter has adverse effects on the skin, causing dryness and a brittle texture. The cold temperatures and low humidity levels suck moisture out of the skin, and in some cases, lead to dryness, itchiness, crackedness, and bleeding skin. It will take several interventions to restore your skin to its original condition.
On the brighter side, it is possible to protect your skin from such harm during the unavoidable cold season. Many people think the reactions are not preventable, suffering the consequences without taking precautions to protect their skin. Other people also do not pay adequate attention to this delicate part of the body in warmer seasons, rendering it more vulnerable during the cold weather.
You can protect your skin during winter by using some of these tips:
- Use the Right Skin Moisturizer
Using the correct skin moisturizer is the start of an effective regimen for your skin in all seasons. During the cold season, it is essential to pay specific attention to the ingredients of a moisturizer to prevent skin damage. A moisturizer that restores and prevents damage to the epidermis should have lanolin, silicone, and mineral oil.
It is vital to keep the skin hydrated at all times to strengthen its resistance to the drying effects of the weather. Your skin is also susceptible to damage due to the dry heat from indoor heating or taking hot baths. Such activities are popular during winter when people try to keep the cold at bay. A moisturizer comes in handy to restore the skin from damages.
It is critical to select the appropriate moisturizer for your skin type. No product suits all people for this emollient solution. A moisturizer suitable for your skin should glide when applied and absorb to a smooth finish. You should not feel the product residue on the skin after application.
- Don’t Forget to Exfoliate
Exfoliating the skin involves removing dead skin layers from the epidermis. The process typically includes using manufactured or homemade exfoliation products to cleanse and moisturize the skin. Exfoliation is critical during cold weather because it ensures the skin is kept clean and moisturized without harmful build-up that can lead to a break-out.
You can use loofah, pumice stone, or a body scrub to exfoliate the skin. For manufactured products, some ingredients cause more harm than good, and you should be keen when purchasing the exfoliators. Such constituents include petroleum products, parabens, talc, synthetic colors, etc. Such ingredients can dry out the skin and negate its intended effect.
Some ingredients beneficial for the skin include finely ground sea salt, AHA, and lactic acid. The bottom line is to use products that restore moisture when cleansing rather than stripping the skin of it. The moisturizer then serves as an enhancement to the healthy skin regime.
- Cover Up
Covering yourself up is an effortless way of protecting your body from the devastating effects of the harsh weather conditions during winter. When you cover your body parts in their entirety, it leads to less skin vulnerability to moisture loss. You can cover yourself up with jackets, hats, scarves, gloves, etc., particularly when outdoors, to protect your skin.
Particular body parts are less challenging to protect than others because of the practicality of movement. The face is typically prone to exposure because people frequently leave the eyes area free for better visibility when moving around.
You can protect your eyes and look stylish by investing in items like Prada glasses frames for maximum coverage. You will have less damage control on your skin to contend with when you wear protective clothing and accessories.
- Change Your Laundry Detergent
When your skin is perennially affected despite your best efforts to restore it during winter, the detergent you use could be the culprit. Some detergents are high in allergen content and affect the skin during the cold season when the body becomes more sensitive to irritants. The detergent leads to dryness and irritation on the skin that can get more severe with continued exposure.
You should consider changing your detergent and opt for one friendlier to the skin. The irritable ingredients in detergents include fragrances, dyes, preservatives, etc., that give the skin a beating. In extreme cases, the reaction can lead to severe skin conditions like dermatitis, requiring medical intervention.
The ultimate solution is to purchase detergents that are fragrance and dye-free. You can also opt for detergents that have natural dyes in place of processed ones. In addition to the selection, you should give clothes an extra rinse from the washer to clean off the additional harmful residue from the detergent.
Keep Your Winter Skin Happy
The winter season does not have to be a dreary one with irritable skin conditions to contend with at the same time. You only need to take precautionary measures to avoid skin damage while providing it with some extra care to get through the season. Your skin will soon be flourishing all year long, despite the weather conditions.
Article by Born Realist