10 Everyday Tips to Pamper Your Dry Winter Skin

You don't need the Weather Channel to know that the effects of winter can be brutal to your skin. While you've been wrapping yourself up in heavy sweaters and turning up the heat, have you given any thought to your own personal weather indicator—a dry and itchy body? If you're like the rest of us, it feels like the moisture is being sucked right out of your winter skin. Ironically, that's exactly what's happening as we try to keep warm.

 

Winter skin is more than a cosmetic problem. The drier your skin is, the less able it is to provide a barrier against infection. Splits in the skin can create a greater chance for infection to take hold. Luckily, with a little knowledge and minimal effort, you can fortify your skin so it can function at its healthy, glowing best!

In addition to your typical hygiene routine, you can pamper your skin without ever having to step foot into a spa. Check out these awesome, everyday tips to prevent dry winter skin and treat your skin to the moisture it deserves.

1. Stay away from long hot showers and baths. Every time you wash your skin or soak in a tub you strip away lipids, letting more moisture evaporate and drying out your skin even more.

2. Pat, don't rub yourself dry. Leave your skin a bit damp.

3. Use soap only where you really need it: your face, hands, armpits, groin, and feet. Be aware that antibacterial soaps and deodorant soaps may be more drying. When shaving, use a good shaving prep like Gillette Satin Care shaving gel.

4. Apply moisturizer within three minutes of stepping out of the shower or bath to moisturize your winter skin. Putting on a cream, ointment, or lotion (creams have more oil than water, lotions have less) immediately helps trap upper layers of skin and decreases dryness and itching.

5. Choose a moisturizer without fragrance. If you can, reapply again during the day. 
Petroleum jelly is excellent for sealing in moisture and healing very dry winter skin.

6. Don't use water that's too hot on your face. Be gentle when you wash and don't scrub with a washcloth, stripping off more natural oil than you have to.

7. Don't forget sunscreen. You still have to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, especially as it reflects off the snow!

8. While everyone seems to think that drinking lots of water keeps your skin clear and hydrated, it doesn't. If your winter skin is regularly exposed to cold, wind, or water, it will probably be dry, even if you drink a gallon of water a day. Diets lacking enough protein or fat can also quicken the drying out process.

9. Blanket your lips. A layer of sun-protective lip balm is all it takes to prevent chapping.

10. Cover up with hats, gloves, scarves, and sunglasses. Blustery winds are murder on your skin.