Cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin. From uncomfortable itchiness to unsightly dry patches, your skin’s texture and appearance suffer during the harsh winter months. Winterizing skin is the best way to keep it feeling soft and youthful all year long. Implementing a few dry skin treatments throughout the winter can keep skin looking and feeling its best regardless of what the weather is like.
Why is Winterizing Skin Important?
Most people only think to put on sunscreen in the summer, but UV rays in winter can be equally damaging to your skin. Not only can this exposure damage your skin, but the cold weather often strips moisture from your skin, leaving it dry, itchy, and flaky. These combined elements cause your skin to age prematurely and appear dull and lifeless, but you can keep it healthy and vibrant by taking special care of it during cold weather.
How Should You Winterize Skin?
Preparing your skin for the winter starts by adopting healthy habits. Make sure you consume plenty of water each day, so your body stays well-hydrated. You should also change your eating habits to include more foods that contain omega-3s or Vitamin E. Finally, start a comprehensive skincare routine that is tailored to meet the individual needs of your skin. Although everyone has different needs when it comes to skincare, a good regimen will include the following steps.
- Cleanse: Dirt, oil, and other impurities build up on your skin throughout the day and can cause clogged pores and diminish the overall health of your skin. If you want to prepare your skin for the winter, make sure you cleanse it thoroughly every morning and night with a high-quality cleanser that strips away impurities while replacing lost nutrients.
- Hydrate: Dry, thirsty skin is itchy and flaky, and unfortunately, cold weather often dries out skin quickly. Combat this issue by hydrating your skin with a Vitamin C serum that will boost collagen production and improve the skin’s elasticity.
- Moisturize: Use a high-quality moisturizer both day and night to keep skin soft. During the day, remember to use a moisturizer that has SPF protection so you can shield your face from UV rays in winter. At night, use an intense moisturizing cream that will work to rejuvenate your skin while you sleep.
- Identify individual needs: Once you have established a basic skincare routine, it is time to identify which areas you need more help in. If you are trying to reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, you may want to include an anti-aging serum into your routine. If you need to soothe puffiness around your eyes, add an eye gel to your regimen. These add-ons are an important component of a comprehensive skincare routine but should be customized to meet your skin’s needs.
Who Should Winterize Skin?
Winterizing skin is important for everyone. Dry, cracked skin is uncomfortable and quickly becomes a reality in cold weather. Anyone can take time to prepare their skin for the cold winter months. Still, this step is especially important for older women because, as they age, their skin loses a significant amount of vibrancy and elasticity that results in visible fine lines and wrinkles. If you properly winterize your skin every year, you can protect it from the harsh elements and keep skin soft, hydrated, and youthful.
It is never too late to start winterizing skin. Whether you are a young woman looking to keep your skin soft or an older woman trying to reverse visible signs of aging, skin winterizing steps can improve the texture and appearance of your body’s largest organ. As cold weather approaches, take steps to keep skin properly hydrated and moisturized to boost its vibrancy.
What are the Benefits of Winterizing Skin?
Winterizing skin should be part of your skincare regimen. If you start taking proper care of your skin now, you can slow down the aging process to keep skin looking youthful and healthy. Taking steps to winterize skin ensures it stays soft and supple all year long, so you don’t have to deal with dry, flaky patches that are both unsightly and uncomfortable. If you want to maintain smooth, healthy skin, winterizing it is an essential step.
Winterizing skin isn’t a difficult process. By implementing a few extra steps in your skincare routine, you can prepare it to not dry out during cold weather. You can transform skin from dry, flaky, and patchy to smooth, supple, and hydrated by using the right products in the winter. If you need help determining which products are best to help you winterize your skin, Dr. Catherine Vanderloos is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your skincare needs and choose the right products and treatments to use so you can winterize your skin and keep it looking smooth, healthy, and youthful throughout the year. Reach out to us by phone at (318) 865-4333 today!
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Irina Kvyatkovskaya