Cozying up by the fire, sipping hot chocolate and building snowmen are some of the idyllic winter wonders, but the harsh winds and dry air are anything but wonderful for your skin. For many, the transition from fall to winter can be seen and felt all over your face and hands. Fortunately, there are ways of tricking your skin into thinking the warmer months are upon us.
Read on to learn tips for taking care of your skin.
Plus, enter to WIN a $100 Spafinder gift card to book a treatment of your choice at your favorite spa!
The obvious answer to dry skin is applying a moisturizer, but as you may have come to understand, all moisturizers were not made equal and what works in one season may not work in another. Allure’s Stephanie Saltzman recently spoke with top dermatologists Dr. Doris Day and Dr. Joshua Zeichner about the best moisturizers to soothe winter skin. Dr. Day advised, “Make sure you're using a cream, not a lotion. If you've been using a cream at night, make it twice a day and use it both morning and night.”
If you’ve been religiously applying cream to no avail, Dr. Zeichner explains that this may have something to do with the time of day you’re applying moisturizer and the ingredients. He says, “Studies have shown that moisturizing immediately after bathing is significantly better than not applying moisturizer at all or applying it long after showering.” So have that cream handy for when you step out of that steamy shower.
A well-placed humidifier can do wonders for your skin as well as your sinuses. Dr. Macrene-Alexiades says a 50% humidity level is optimal. In a pinch if you don’t own a humidifier, you can always place a clean tray of water on top of your radiators to get a similar humidifying effect.
We all know that a hot shower or bath can relax sore and tense muscles, but it’s not doing much for your skin. Hot steamy water will only manage to dehydrate your already dry skin. Dr. Frank explains why lowering the temp may help to keep your body’s natural oils intact, saying, “Water is not hydrating to your skin. It can be the enemy if you have dry skin. It’s the natural oils that you want.”
And if you want to replenish or add to your skin’s natural oils, adding more fish and other foods high in omega-3’s will make a difference. Avoid things that dry the skin like caffeine and alcohol. Dr. Nicholas Perricone adds, “avoid sugary, starchy foods, which cause an inflammatory response in the body and exacerbate a host of skin problems from wrinkles to dry skin to acne, eczema, rosacea, etc.”
To treat your skin extra special, enter here to win a $100 Spafinder gift card to book a spa treatment of your choice your skin at your favorite spa!
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*One lucky commenter or Tweeter will be chosen at random to receive the $100 Spafinder gift card. Giveaway is open through February 7th, 2016 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.
Update: The winner is SheSpeaks community member hildred! Thanks to all for entering.
I like to use Vitamin E oil after I come out of the shower.
My skin hates winter , I also have an autoimmune disease that makes my skin ANGRY. I have tried to lower temp in shower but I just cant do it. A hot shower is the only relief my aching joints and muscles get. So hydrate, hydrate, then hydrate some more. I found relief with a DIY coffee,orange,olive oil scrub. Its amazing, I use it twice a week. The best lotion I have ever used is gold bond ultimate healing with aloe!
I use a wet moisturizer. While I am still in the shower I apply the lotion to me wet skin. It really locks in moisture! When that dries, I apply another lotion to dry skin. I stay soft all winter long!
I combat dry skin by eating a healthy diet and applying moisturizers when needed.
To combat dry skin, right now, i apply moisturizer right after i finish taking my shower and argan oil for my face
My hands get really dry all winter long. Gold Bond Diabetics hand creme works great!
I am still trying to find the cure for my very dry skin. Seems like i've used them all but have yet to find "the one".
I use Olay Moisturizer on my face right after I get out of the shower and use Neutrogena Oil Free Pink Grapfruit Acne Correct Moisturizer underneath my makeup!
I drink lots of water.
I use Pond's moisturizer with dark spot corrector. I also try not to use harsh cleaners on my face, and don't clean it every day. I alternate with face wipes that are gentler on skin.
I use lotion after my bath.
Moisturizer
According to this article, I'm actually not doing too shabby on keeping my skin soft during the cold months. I wash and moisturize my face twice daily, using lukewarm water and applying moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp. I use moisturizing body wash, and keep body lotion next to the shower so that every time I get out of the (warm but not hot) shower, I can apply it right there while skin is still moist.
Use moisturizer as soon as I get out of shower and I sleep in socks after I put Vaseline on , I wake up with super soft feet
I like to rub coconut oil all over my body when I am done with my shower. It keeps my skin moisturized and clean. :)