When the cooler weather sets it, often times our skin takes a beating. The cold, dry air, along with harsh wind, can leave skin dry, chapped, and irritated. While keeping skin looking its best during the winter months can be a challenge, the suggestions below will help keep your skin looking healthy and radiant, no matter the season.
* Take a look at your skin care regimen.
While most of us know to cleanse, tone, and moisturize, the winter months call for a few changes. Switch to a cleanser formulated for dry or sensitive skin, and only cleanse once daily. When cleansing skin, be sure to massage your face in circular motions. This gets blood flow circulating, helping skin to stay healthy looking.
If you normally use a toner, try using rosewater instead (available at health food stores). It’s perfect for all skin types and very gentle, and smells wonderful!
Even oilier skin needs a good moisturizer in the winter. After cleansing and toning, immediately apply your moisturizer. For even better results, warm the product a bit in your hands before applying. I like the really natural moisturizers on the market that contain Vitamin C. Perfect for boosting dull, dry skin. Almond oil is also an effective moisturizer and skin-soother for the face and body.
* Exfoliating is a MUST.
Exfoliating is the most important thing you can do for your skin during the winter. By stimulating blood flow and sloughing off dead skin cells, you will keep your skin healthy and happy! Most people can do this every other day, or even every day, during the winter, less in warmer months. Do be sure to exfoliate gently, as too much scrubbing can actually exacerbate existing skin problems. I like to make my own exfoliante using a little raw sugar (found at most grocery and health food stores), and in the winter, add a few drops of almond oil. Simply massage into clean, damp skin (using fingertips) and let sit for at least five minutes. The sugar contains natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids which work to turn skin cells over more quickly, leaving beautiful, glowing skin!
For the body, sea salt works wonderfully. Take a cup in the shower with you, massage gently into damp skin, then rinse with warm water. Again, for extremely dry skin, combining the salt with some olive or almond oil is great – you can even add a couple drops of essential oil to create your own spa treatment!
A word of caution: Do not shave before using this treatment – ouch!
* Use a humidifier.
By humidifying indoor air, especially while you sleep, you can greatly reduce dry skin and nasal passages. (Humidifying air is also great for keeping your skin young looking!) If you can install a humidifying system in your heating ducts, all the better.
* Protect your skin from the sun.
While it’s common sense to protect your skin from damaging UV rays in the hot summer sun, many people forget to do so in the winter. Even in cloudy, cold weather, it’s necessary to use a good sunblock daily on exposed skin. Apply first thing in the morning, before applying make-up. Look for products that are titanium or zinc oxide based – these are less irritating than chemical sunblocks.
Wendy Gough is the founder of www.beautysoul.com, one of the most long lasting and popular beauty websites on the internet. The website was founded in 1998 by Wendy, wanting to reach people with her message of "beauty beginning from the inside." Wendy and the "Beauty&Soul" website have been featured in an Eckerd Drugs national television advertising campaign, which ran in 12 major markets during prime time for a year. The site has also received abundant positive reviews and awards garnered by internet entities such as GO Network, Virgin Net, and Microsoft###s "Mining Company".
In addition to her newsletter, Wendy has been a regular columnist for such publications as the Family Network and Cybertips4theday.com, as well as a contributor to Magical Blend magazine.
As a former international model, Wendy lived in Europe, appearing in numerous magazines and catalogs while also learning to speak French. Wendy holds a Bachelor###s degree in psychology and has taught children with learning disabilities at the elementary level. Currently Wendy is available as guest speaker teaching development of inner beauty and self esteem as the best natural method to looking and feeling your best.
Wendy is the author of Beauty & Soul: Your Guide to Inner and Outer Beauty." An exercise video and interactive "make-over" CD are planned for future release.