Winter is one of my least favorite seasons not only because I hate the cold, but because of what it does to my skin. The cold and blustery conditions outside paired with the warm dry air inside can leave your skin feeling dry, itchy and raw. To make matters worse, I suffer from eczema on my legs which are patches of dry scaly skin. Winter is the worst time for eczema because it makes me want to scratch my legs apart.
I’ve started to get into a winter skincare routine and learn more about what my skin needs every day. I’ve learned that there are simple ways to combat the causes of dry winter skin and get your skin glowing and moist all season long. There are things that I’ve changed in my daily routine to help my skin and I’ve also bought a few new products to help me with my goal of healthy winter skin.
WHAT NOT TO DO
1. Avoid long, hot showers
Have you ever been outside for a long period during the winter? You went sledding in the snow or were out for a scenic stroll in the park. It was a nice time but now you’re freezing cold and can’t feel your toes, so you jump into the nice hot shower. It’s the best feeling but that long, steamy shower is actually terrible for your skin. I know that hot water irritates my eczema so I try not to run the water to warm. If the water turns your skin red, it’s too hot. The hot water can strip your skin of important oils and leave your skin feeling dry and irritated. When possible, use warm or lukewarm water instead, even when you’re washing your hands in the sink.
2. Say no to tanning
During these winter months your skin will become paler and you’ll feel as if you’re lacking in vitamin D. Many people have the urge to jump into a tanning bed to get some color on their skin and to get some much-needed vitamin D. It sounds great, but the risks and damages that a tanning bed can do to your skin far outweighs the temporary boost you may feel from using one. The ultraviolet rays that a tanning booth gives off can cause cell damage and can lead to skin cancer. What you can do instead is take vitamin D supplements to increase your exposure and you can use fake tanner lotions to have a sun-kissed complexion.
3. Avoid dryness
This may seem like a no brainier to avoid dryness during the winter months, but it is harder to do than you may think. It’s freezing outside so the first thing you want to do when you get home, is crank up the heat. I know that I’m certainly guilty of this. But in fact, central heating can make the air in your home even drier. Having a space heater can also cause dryness in the air and your skin. What you can do is to set the temperature of your thermostat to a cool yet comfortable setting. We have ours in between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. What I’ve learned to do is have the temperature of our home is lower than I would like and then use my heated blanket. It’s cost-effective and doesn’t use that much energy to heat up.
4. Don’t wear irritating clothing
It is the season of big comfy sweaters, wool socks, and wearing layers upon layers of clothing but in fact, many fabrics can irritate your skin. As a person living with very sensitive skin, I have to avoid itchy clothing materials at all costs. I don’t own any wool sweaters or socks and I always try to wear fabric that my skin likes. Instead, I try to wear soft, breathable fabrics that are comfortable and fun to wear. I’ve struggled to find the perfect winter gloves because a lot of them are made out of wool to keep your skin warm and insulated. I have to settle for thin cotton gloves that don’t make me want to rip my skin apart.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
1. Stay hydrated
You need to drink water all the time, 365 days a year, but it’s even more important to stay hydrated during the winter. During these cold months, your body loses moisture in other ways than it would in summer, such as through the form of water vapor when you can see your breath through your mouth and nose when you are outside. Winter dehydration is hard to notice because you’re not actively sweating but your body needs water in order to properly function. It happens to me every couple of days where I haven’t had any water to drink and my body feels thirsty and my lips are severely chapped. It is vital you keep hydrated to regulate your body temperature, allowing your blood to carry important nutrients and oxygen around your body and remove toxins from your body. I like to keep reusable water bottles around the house, in my car, and at work to ensure that I’m drinking enough throughout the day.
2. Invest in a humidifier
As a kid, I used to suffer from nose-bleeds during the winter months at my parent’s home. We had old radiators in each room that would get so hot, they would burn you if you touched them. What my dad discovered was that the dry air from the radiators was causing my nose to dry out and bleed. So we started keeping a pan of water on top of the heater in my bedroom. It made such a difference in my nose and in the quality of my skin. Now that I’ve grown up, I own a humidifier and keep it on my bedside table. Each night I fill it with water and have it on a low setting pointed over the bed. It really helps to keep my skin hydrated.
3. Modify your skin-care regimen
When your skin is dry and itchy, like it is in the winter months, it is recommended that you stop using products that contain alcohol and fragrances in order to help your skin retain its natural oils. In the morning before I put on all my makeup for the day, I like to start off my skincare routine by washing my face with lukewarm water and an organic scrub. Then I use my jade roller and moisturizing facial serum that is made of pumpkin seed, almonds, and lavender oil. It really leaves my skin glowing for the rest of the day. At night before bed, I love using a hydrating night cream that re-hydrates my dry thirsty skin. It’s made of antioxidant-rich green tea along with enriching vitamins C, A and E to help soften and smooth my skin. You can see the products I use in the image above. And don’t forget about your lips! I use a ton of moisturizing balm to help my dry, cracked lips.
4. Moisturize frequently
The same lotion or moisturizer that you use all year long, might not do its job during the colder winter months. If your skin is severely dry, you should try adding an emollient moisturizer that seals in the moisture. I personally like to use a cocoa butter lotion on my skin as the first layer of moisture and then I add on a thicker moisturizer on top of the lotion. It’s also important to remember to use hand cream after each time you wash your hands. I keep a lotion at my desk at work to use each time I wash my hands and when I’m at home I try to use gloves when washing the dishes so that my hands are exposed to the hot water I’m using.
Lovely post with some fantastic tips. My skin care routine is somewhat lacking recently but I Always try to drink plenty of water and that alone is working wonders on my skin. Thanks for sharing your advice! I certainly think moisturising is something I need to start doing more, particularly during Winter when the weather is so cold.
Kate | thelittlecrunch.co.uk
My skin gets extremely dry in the winter! So these are very helpful tips ♥️
What a great post! I love these tips. I just bought a new moisturiser and I wish I had it back at the start of winter.
My hands suffer the most. They get all dry and cracked. It’s terrible and so painful. Thanks for the tips.
My skin gets so dry and horrible in the winter these tips are so helpful! Staying hydrated is so important for your skin a lot of people don’t know this also using moisturizer is super important too I always have some in my handbag when I am out and about if the weather is cold and I feel my skin getting dry then I can just use some then rather than suffering and waiting until I get home.
These are all such great tips. I will have to implement some. My skin always is terrible during the winter!
Great tips ~ I didn’t realize that drinking water was so important in the winter!
These are great tips, thanks for sharing ♡
Great post! You included a lot of helpful information and tips. I definitely need to stay more on top of moisturizing. Thank you for sharing!
I recently got a humidifier and it’s made a world of difference! That – plus a wonderful moisturizer – is saving my skin! These are awesome tips!
Reading this post from my long, hot bath in the dead of winter… you can pray it from my cold (dry &) dead hands!! But seriously, great staple skin care advice everyone should follow!
My hands have just started cracking because of the cold mixed with the dryness in my office – this is going to take some rescuing. There are some great tips here – I’ve never thought about winter dehydration before! Thanks for a great post
I grew up with excema and still really struggle with dry skin. Always need to remember to hydrate more. I’m a little easier on the shower temperature now after learning my lesson haha!
I moisturise constantly, it is so important for your skin!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
These are some great tips but I love the hot showers so much!
-Kyra
I am not doing too badly on some of your points. I moisturise like crazy, especially my hands, however long hot showers? That I am certainly guilty of!
It seems as though I should buy a humidifier then
I try to do most of the other things – I avoid irritating clothes (I try to avoid clothes made from plastic and buy natural materials!) but I love long hot showers! Ugh the downside of winter is having extra dry skin everywhere but my face – it’s oily as hell! haha
– katelyn
These are some very helpful tips to keep skin hydrated during winter! I need to get a humidifier, sounds like a great investment
Mel 🌙 | Moonlight Mel
These are some great tips for keeping your skin healthy in the winter! I drink plenty of water anyway and I always moisturise every day to keep my skin looking good! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I’ve never heard of this brand before, but the products sound really lovely xo
Makeup Muddle
Ok, this is like the third time I’ve read about or seen jade rollers online this week. I might just have to try one!
I thought this post was going to be skincare tips when I first click the title, but it was so much more than that! So informative, and I never thought that hot showers and putting the heating on could contribute to drying out your skin, but it makes so much sense. I’ve actually started trying to take cold showers just because I heard it’s good for the soul lol and helps wake you up, so it’s good to know I’m doing something right! Thanks for the great tips ☺️
Beka | http://www.bekadaisies.com
Such great tips for someone that lives in MN!
I have THE driest skin on the planet, and the winter months just destroy my poor skin. These are some great tips for keeping my skin as moisturized as possible. I do try to moisturize as much as possible, and keep my humidifier full at all times…but I do love those hot hot showers. But you’re right, I should probably limit them while it’s so cold and dry for the sake of my skin. Great post!
These are some really goods tips, I never fan tend at all and I love to have a good skincare routine x
I am so bad when it comes to showering in hot water- but it really dries out your skin! Ooh, I totally agree with not wearing irritating clothing. Sweaters are great, but it’s worth wearing a tank top underneath to avoid having to scratch yourself. Thanks for sharing these tips!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
This is such a helpful post, thank you for sharing your suggestions, Lindsey! I am guilty of running a bath that is probably waaay too hot for me during the winter months. I will have to be more mindful of the temperature next time. Also, your skin-care routine sounds lovely, so healthy and nourishing. Thank you for sharing, fab post! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
It’s okay to have a bath that is hot as long as you use a lot of moisturizer afterwards!
Such good tips! Thank you!
You’re so welcome!