With us being fully into the swing of winter, following right behind are common wintertime woes like dry, cracked skin. Cold, dry air can do a number on your skin and routine especially if you’re not mindful and don’t take the time to adapt your skincare routine according to the harsher environment. Take these proactive steps to stay on top of your skincare game and stay healthy and moisturized all season long.

6 winter skin care tips to keep your skin healthy

Invest in a humidifier

One of the leading causes of dry skin during the winter months is the drop of moisture or lack of humidity in the air. And turning on the heater or sitting by an open fire, things you’re inclined to do when the temperature drops, can contribute to dry, itchy skin or make issues you already have, worse.

Consider using a humidifier in your bedroom, home office, or the room where you spend the most time. This will help reintroduce moisture back into the environment, helping your skin retain moisture and stay healthy.

Slather on some moisturizing hand cream

Naturally, handwashing frequencies increase during the winter because it’s cold and flu season. 2021 is special and has us weathering pandemic conditions as well, meaning we’re washing our hands and sanitizing far more than usual. A thick, cream-based moisturizer can help minimize the effects of frequent handwashing.

Maintain soft and healthy hands by following up with a moisturizer after every wash. I like keeping some L’Occitane En Provence Dry Skin Hand Cream nearby. It’s creamy enough to provide moisture and relief to dry hands but doesn’t leave your hands feeling greasy.

Use sunscreen

It’s easy to think that you don’t need sunscreen because the sun is less intense and the heat is gone, but you’d be surprised to learn just how damaging the sun can be during the winter, too. Your skin can actually absorb more harmful UV rays in the colder months, especially if there’s plenty of snow for light to reflect.

Continue to wear SPF throughout the year, especially on your face. Wearing sunscreen, even during the winter, can help protect your skin from drying out as well and premature aging.

Stay hydrated

It’s easy to slack on your daily water intake during the winter when the temperatures drop and ice-cold water is one of the last things you want to drink, but the best way to keep your skin moisturized or get moisture to your skin is by hydrating yourself from the inside out.

Stay on top of your water by keeping a water bottle nearby. This Embrava water bottle has measurements on the side so you can keep track of how much water you’re drinking. If water isn’t your jam, you can drink tea to keep hydrated, soothe yourself, and keep warm, too.

Ease up on the hot showers

Like most things in life, the hardest things to give up are the ones that are the most beneficial. It’s tempting to wake up in the cold morning and want to stand under a hot, steamy shower. While it feels amazing, the heat literally evaporates moisture from your skin.

Try running a lukewarm shower instead so that you’re not drying out your skin first thing in the morning. Add in some self-care benefits and make it a bath with a moisturizing oatmeal bath bomb to give your skin a nice treat.

Get some rest

With the winter solstice behind us, the days will soon be getting longer again. Until then, remember to stay on top of your sleep. Daylight savings and the 4:30 pm sunsets throw our bodies into a whack. So, it’s not uncommon to need an extra hour or so come wintertime. Consider going to sleep earlier to get a full night of rest.

If staying asleep is hard, try this comfy sleep mask to help you get some of the best sleep of your life. It’s like a bra for your eyes and has a compartment, unlike traditional masks that can be uncomfortable and put pressure on your eyes. Plus, it’s great for travel when that becomes a thing again.

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