Some amazing skin care tips for Winters~

03:33 gbh 16 Comments

With the temperature dropping and the cold wind kicking up, you may notice that your skin is starting to look and feel much drier than usual. This usually happens when the winter months start to arrive. This condition of dryness is caused by the solidification of skin’s oily content that may include flaky patches and red, irritated skin. As we get older, our skin is beginning to lose its ability to protect itself from moisture loss, so it is a must that we try everything to keep it healthy.

Winter could be a really difficult time for your skin, luckily there are several things you can do to stave off these pesky skin problems. In planning your skin care regimen, there are certain conditions you should consider such as skin characteristics, skin barrier and sensitivity. Here are some tips to help you keep your skin healthy during the winter:

Consult a specialist

Consulting with your dermatologist is always a good start in resolving your winter skin problems. They can help assess and analyze your skin condition, troubleshoot your current skin care technique, as well as provide you professional advice on what steps you should do to keep your skin healthy during winter.

Warm bath

Soak in a nice warm bath before going to bed. You can also add aromatherapy oils for a more relaxing effect. Avoid using burning-hot water, even if it feels great after going out in the cold. The intense heat breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which eventually lead to moisture loss. It is also advisable to keep showers short since this can also strip your skin of moisture.

Exfoliate daily

Exfoliating is an effective way to get rid of dead skin cells in the skin. It also allows the moisturizer to penetrate better into the skin. Exfoliating promotes cellular renewal by allowing new skin cells to surface. Lavender is an ideal ingredient for exfoliation because it acts as an antibacterial agent to get rid of excess dirt in the skin. Make it a point to exfoliate your hands as well since harsh weather can cause them to dry out and crack.

Moisturize your skin

Make it a habit to moisturize your skin daily. Take note that different parts of the body require different formulations of moisturizer. Choose those that have vitamin E and Shea butter because aside from being less expensive, they keep your skin moisturized longer. For the body, you can try using moisturizer lotion with glycerine and alpha-hydroxyl content, since this can make your skin feel smoother. You can also try products with salicylic acid, as this helps exfoliate dead cells around the hair follicles and reduce skin bumps.

Put on sunscreen

Sunscreen is not only for summertime. Winter sun, including the snow glare can still damage the skin. You can use a lower daily SPF like 15 instead of 30, as long as the formula shields harmful UVA rays. Reapply frequently if you are staying outdoors longer.

Treat your hands

When washing your hands, it is better to use soap-free cleansers and alcohol-free sanitizers. They are less drying than frequent washing using the traditional soap and water. Put on cotton gloves over lotion as well, as this helps to trap in moisture resulting in softer skin. Be sure to keep yourself adequately covered against the chill of winter.

Exfoliate your lips

Avoid using lip balm made with mineral oils and petrolatum because they produce a barrier in the skin, which make it difficult to hydrate. Try a product that has hyaluronic oil, since this can penetrate beyond the surface of the skin. Choose those that are enriched with vitamin E as well.

Hook up the humidifier

Using a humidifier is also essential to keep your skin healthy during the winter. A humidifier is a device that emits water into the air, which helps increase moisture level in your surroundings. Due to the increased moisture, your skin will stay hydrated and moisturized.

Drink water

Hydration starts within the body, so it is essential to drink lots of water. Make it a point to drink at least 9-13 glasses of water. It keeps our bodies hydrated and makes our skin naturally soft and supple. Water is also a key ingredient that supports all our bodily functions, thus it doesn’t only keeps our skin healthy but our overall wellness as well.

David Novak is a national newspaper columnist, appearing in The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Reader's Digest and GQ Magazine, among others. David is a health and diet enthusiast, and frequently writes on a wide array of health topics for various publications, including regular editions appearing in healthline.com. For more of his Healthline articles, visit http://www.healthline.com

NOTE:The girls gallery is honored that Mr David Novak from Wall street has written this thought full post for us.Many thanks to him and best wishes from us.