With the cold winter months quickly approaching, it’s unfortunately that time of year again when skin starts to flake, become irritated, and look red. But fear not! Although a lot of us are prone to dry skin during the winter, it can be easily fixed with just a few changes. We can’t do anything about the dry air, but we can take extra measures to keep our skin staying hydrated, moisturized, and smooth. If you’re looking for great, simple ways to restore your skin’s hydration, look no further!

**Moisturize Right after Cleansing**

If you’re a skincare junkie like me, you probably already have a great moisturizer in your regular skin care routine. However, if you aren’t already aware of the benefits of moisturizer, don’t worry! We got you covered.
Any time you wash any part of your body, you’re removing both “good” and “bad” oils. The “bad” oils are the ones that clog pores and can cause acne. On the other hand, “good” (or natural) oils help to lock in moisture. In order to restore your skin of its natural oils after cleaning, make sure to use a moisturizer right after. Some great options include CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, which includes three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and protect it’s moisture barrier, and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, which is formulated with glacial glycoprotein and olive-derived squalane, making it specifically formulated to help your skin withstand cold, dry conditions.
Photo Credit: Complete Family Dermatology

**Apply Sunscreen (Yes, even in the Winter)**

Hopefully, we all know how harmful UV light rays are, especially during the summer, when the sun shines at its brightest. However, it’s important to regularly apply sunscreen, even during the winter. It may be tempting to cut it out of your morning routine when days get darker and nights become longer, but UV rays can still stress your skin’s moisture barrier. Just because the sun is less likely to come out during these long winter months, that doesn’t mean it disappears completely! Make sure to regularly use sunscreen to maintain your skin health and hydration.
Photo Credit: Everyday Health

**Use a Humidifier**

During these winter months, you’re probably going to put your heat on blast to combat the cold in your house. However, because of the dry air that comes out of your heater, your skin can become dry as a result. In order to restore moisture in the air while staying warm, try getting an indoor humidifier. Having more moisture in the air can help act as a natural moisturizing agent, which may prevent and relieve skin dryness. According to Harvard Health Publishing, a humidifier setting of 60% in the winter can replenish moisture in the top layer of skin.
Photo Credit: Learning Center

**Adopt a Winter Skincare Routine**

f you know that you’re usually prone to dry skin in the winter, try using a body oil spray or dry body oil and moisturizing cream or lotion. Although they’re both great at restoring your skin’s moisture, body oil sprays are easy to use and quick to apply. On the other hand, dry body oils are great because of their lightweight texture that leaves your skin residue-free. Unlike many lotions, which require time to absorb into your skin, making it feel sticky right after applying, dry body oils leave your skin feeling dry to the touch while moisturizing at the same time.
Photo Credit: Mixed Makeup

**Change Your Shower Norms**

With freezing outside temperatures, it’s very tempting to set your showers or baths to the hottest temperatures to warm up. However, hot water can suck more oils and moisture out of your skin, which increases the chance for it to dry out. However, that doesn’t mean you have to take cold showers to combat this. Instead, opt for a lukewarm shower or bath, which can warm you up while decreasing the chances of your skin to dry out. Additionally, make sure to properly take care of your skin after bathing or showering. Instead of vigorously drying off, pat your skin dry with a soft towel, which may allow some of the moisture to hydrate the top layer of your skin.
Photo Credit: Luxury Bathrooms

**Go Easy with Exfoliants and Scrubs**

Exfoliants are great to remove dead skin cells, which can help keep your skin looking smooth and vibrant. However, it is possible to over exfoliate if you do it too often (more than once a week) or use the wrong products. In the wintertime especially, it’s better to go easy with exfoliants and scrubs. If your skin is cracked, raw, or irritated from the harsh winter winds, it may be best to avoid exfoliation completely until your skin is healed to avoid further irritations. If your skin looks flaky or dry, you may want to opt for a gentle chemical exfoliant rather than a physical scrub. Harsher scrubs with large particles may be more likely to break down your skin’s moisture barrier and cause damage.
Photo Credit: Femina.in

Although the winter brings the holidays, beautiful, crisp snow, and time with family, it also unfortunately comes with a greater chance for dry skin. WIth its harsh cold winds and dry air, our skin becomes more susceptible to irritation, redness, and cracks. Thankfully, all we need to do to combat this is to take extra measures that protect our skin barrier. As you incorporate different products and adjust your skincare routine, make sure to also take the time to appreciate this beautiful season.

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How to Combat Dry Skin This Winter