• Home
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • About Cozy Stylist
  • Home Page
  • Shop My Posts
  • Fan-Favorite Posts
  • Style
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
  • Decor
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Career
    • Gift Guides
    • Holidays
    • Self-Care
  • About Cozy Stylist
  • Contact

Cozy Stylist

Trying to live a comfy, cozy, and stylish life

  • Style
    • Summer
    • Spring
    • Winter
    • Autumn
  • Decor
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Self-Care
    • Gift Guides
    • Holidays
  • Career
  • Travel
  • Food

Lifestyle, Self-Care · January 20, 2020

8 Tips on How to Keep Your Skin Healthy in Winter

 

winter skincare routine

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.

winter skincare

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.

winter skincare

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.

winter skincare routine

In: Lifestyle, Self-Care

Join the List

You’ll Also Love

3 Ways To Make Your Morning Routine Special
The Autumn Tag – My Favorite Things About Fall
How to Spend Your Winter Weekends

Comments

  1. Kate says

    February 3, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    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

    Reply
  2. Amber says

    February 3, 2020 at 5:22 pm

    My skin gets extremely dry in the winter! So these are very helpful tips ♥️

    Reply
  3. Fizz says

    February 3, 2020 at 5:52 pm

    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.

    Reply
  4. Natalie says

    February 3, 2020 at 9:11 pm

    My hands suffer the most. They get all dry and cracked. It’s terrible and so painful. Thanks for the tips.

    Reply
  5. Sarah Mark says

    February 4, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    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.

    Reply
  6. Charity says

    February 4, 2020 at 6:52 pm

    These are all such great tips. I will have to implement some. My skin always is terrible during the winter!

    Reply
  7. Mary Ann Gilfillan says

    February 4, 2020 at 8:09 pm

    Great tips ~ I didn’t realize that drinking water was so important in the winter!

    Reply
  8. Athena Christy says

    February 4, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    These are great tips, thanks for sharing ♡

    Reply
  9. Savannah says

    February 4, 2020 at 10:31 pm

    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!

    Reply
  10. Stephanie says

    February 5, 2020 at 8:27 am

    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!

    Reply
  11. Essie says

    February 5, 2020 at 9:47 am

    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!

    Reply
  12. Lindsey says

    February 6, 2020 at 7:09 am

    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

    Reply
  13. Cassiethehag says

    February 7, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    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!

    Reply
  14. Amie says

    February 7, 2020 at 10:18 pm

    I moisturise constantly, it is so important for your skin!

    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

    Reply
  15. Kyra | lovekyra.co.uk says

    February 8, 2020 at 8:58 am

    These are some great tips but I love the hot showers so much!
    -Kyra

    Reply
  16. S.S. Mitchell says

    February 8, 2020 at 2:05 pm

    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!

    Reply
  17. katelyn | embark to explore says

    February 12, 2020 at 8:18 am

    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

    Reply
  18. melissa major says

    February 16, 2020 at 8:21 pm

    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

    Reply
  19. Lucy says

    February 16, 2020 at 9:47 pm

    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

    Reply
  20. Gemma @ Makeup Muddle says

    February 17, 2020 at 2:00 pm

    I’ve never heard of this brand before, but the products sound really lovely xo

    Makeup Muddle

    Reply
  21. Cassie says

    February 18, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    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!

    Reply
  22. Beka says

    February 23, 2020 at 5:01 pm

    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

    Reply
  23. Lisa Alioto says

    February 28, 2020 at 1:15 pm

    Such great tips for someone that lives in MN!

    Reply
  24. Carolyn says

    February 28, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    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!

    Reply
  25. Bryony Baker says

    February 29, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    These are some really goods tips, I never fan tend at all and I love to have a good skincare routine x

    Reply
  26. Nancy says

    March 1, 2020 at 4:02 pm

    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

    Reply
  27. Bexa says

    March 4, 2020 at 1:29 pm

    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

    Reply
    • CozyStylist says

      May 13, 2020 at 2:18 pm

      It’s okay to have a bath that is hot as long as you use a lot of moisturizer afterwards!

      Reply
  28. Ashley says

    April 5, 2020 at 9:57 am

    Such good tips! Thank you!

    Reply
    • CozyStylist says

      May 13, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      You’re so welcome!

      Reply
  29. Caroline says

    December 14, 2020 at 10:18 am

    I never knew that long, hot showers were such a bad thing – will deffo have to stop that and might explain why my skin has gotten slightly worse lately! Thank you for the great tips x

    Reply
  30. Amanda says

    January 29, 2021 at 11:28 am

    My skin has been so dry lately so I definitely needed to read this! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Cute and Causal Winter Boots For Women

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • About Cozy Stylist

Join the Cozy Club

  • Shop My Posts
  • Instagram Links
  • Fan-Favorite Posts
  • My Favorite Products

Copyright © 2022 Cozy Stylist · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...