Freezing temperatures, harsh winds, and dry air – the winter months can be pretty rough on our skin. It’s important that we adapt our skincare routines accordingly. If we don’t, we’re likely to be left with dry, cracked skin that can sometimes be rather uncomfortable. Here are our tips for making sure your skin looks and feels its best all winter long…
Dry Skin
Sorry, but those lightweight moisturizers you use during the spring and summer just won’t cut it this time of year! When winter rolls around, the air gets drier, which also dries out your skin. To combat this, you need to swap out those normal moisturizers for one that is much more “heavy duty”. A thick, cream moisturizer should be applied daily to heal and prevent dry skin. Try Yon-Ka’s Hydra No 1 Crème – it’s perfect for those cold, dry winter months. Apply your moisturizer in the morning, within a few minutes of exiting the shower for maximum absorption. If you find that you really struggle with dry skin, another great tip is to use a humidifier. A humidifier works as a great preventative measure, as it adds humidity back into the dry air inside your home. The key to remember during the winter months is that you should be proactive with your skincare. Start following these tips to take care of your skin before it gets dried out and make them part of your daily routine.
Red Nose
The cold weather can often leave us with a bright, red nose, which isn’t exactly the best look. In order to treat a red nose, you should first understand why this happens. Cold weather can actually cause your blood vessels to cut off circulation to your nose. When you come inside to warm up, it causes a rush of blood to your nose, which leaves you bright red. In order to treat this, you need to get your skin back to normal. Apply a warm compress for a few minutes once you’ve come back inside and watch the redness disappear! If you find that tissues leave your nose sore and red when your nose is running from the cold, make sure you’re using the softest tissues you can find. Try using a tissue with lotion, which are meant to soothe your nose and prevent irritation.
Rough/Cracked Feet
You’re probably no stranger to taking care of your feet during the summer so they’re sandal-ready. What about in the winter? The winter months can be hard on our feet, too. The cold, dry air can leave our feet feeling rough and cracked. You don’t have to run off to get a pedicure to whip your feet back into shape. Instead, treat them at home! Rough, dry feet should be exfoliated and moisturized regularly so that they can stay hydrated too. You can use a pumice stone in the shower to slough off the dead skin and reveal a much smoother surface. Next, apply a moisturizer as soon as you’ve gotten out of the shower so your skin can absorb it the best.
Dry Hands
Dry hands happen to be one of the most common things we deal with during the cold, winter months. The weather often leaves them feeling dry, cracked, and irritated. Make sure you always protect your hands from the cold air by wearing gloves when you go outside. Another tip: moisturize after washing your hands. The soap can strip away at the oil your skin produces to keep your hands soft. Be sure to keep a high quality hand lotion with you at all times to keep your skin hydrated. Try Yon-Ka’s Crème Mains to repair the dry, cracked skin on your hands.
Chapped Lips
To make sure your lips stay soft and supple, protect them by using a lip balm with beeswax or lanolin for extra hydration. The skin on our lips is quite delicate and can dry out quickly if you don’t take good care of them! If you notice some flaky patches appearing, use this simple step-by-step guide to get them feeling soft again.Protect Against Windburn
Finally, it is possible to develop windburn during the winter. The cold air is harsh and can leave our skin very irritated if we aren’t careful. If you’re going outside for an extended amount of time, make sure you take the necessary precaution to protect your skin. Be sure to apply a thick face cream that contains SPF before you head outdoors. If there’s snow on the ground and the sun is shining, the sun can reflect off the snow and vastly increase your chances of getting sunburn. Even if you can’t see the sun, you still want to use SPF to ensure your skin is protected. Cover as much of your skin as possible by wearing gloves, scarves, etc. to stay warm and to shield your skin.