Winter skin can be difficult to control due to the dry air. The products you use have a major impact on the overall condition of your skin.
Certain formulas and ingredients are naturally drying. When combined with the dry air, this can result in flaky and uncomfortable skin. However, once you get the right mix of products, your skin will glow like it does in the summer.
Picking the Right Soaps and Cleansers
Look for a formula that is creamy and rich. This will help your skin to retain moisture while removing impurities and dirt. Your cleanser should be soap-free and contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera, glycolic acid and lactic acid. These ingredients soothe and moisturize your skin.
Foaming facial cleansers strip moisture as they cleanse your skin. You should also avoid cleansers that contain parabens or mattifying ingredients.
Avoid gel body washes and those that contain detergents. Moisturizing formulas that contain oils, such as sunflower or soybean, are a good choice. Avoid body washes that contain parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate.
Acne Treatments for Winter Skin
Treating acne in the winter can be tricky because many treatments can dry your skin. The common ingredients in acne treatment products are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. It is okay to use these during the winter – but look for products that have lower concentrations of these ingredients.
When you are using acne treatment products, make sure to moisturize every day. You should also use a hydrating cleanser instead of an acne cleanser to balance your skin.
Choosing Excellent Exfoliants
Exfoliating is important to help reduce the flakiness that comes with dry skin, but you have to be careful about which exfoliants you use. Avoid scrubbing exfoliants since these can be too harsh on dry skin. Instead, look for a gentle chemical exfoliant for your face and body. Those with mild AHA or glycolic acid are a good choice.
Only exfoliate one to two times a week when your skin is dry. After an exfoliation session, always apply a quality moisturizer to replenish any moisture that was lost during the exfoliation process.
Finding the Perfect Winter Moisturizer
Your moisturizer is the most important element of your winter skincare routine. Your facial moisturizer should contain at least one of the following ingredients:
Hyaluronic acid
Ceramides
Occlusive agents, such as shea butter, petroleum or dimethicone
Marula oil
Glycolic acid
Urea
These ingredients work to penetrate the surface of your skin for deep hydration. Some also help your skin to retain moisture. Avoid moisturizers that contain parabens, artificial dyes, fragrances, phthalates and polyethylene glycol.
For body lotion, you should avoid the same ingredients. Look for a thick lotion that has emollient ingredients, such as mineral oil, and nutrients such as vitamin E.
Do Not Forget About Lip Products
Chapped lips often accompany dry skin. The lips are more vulnerable to dryness and damage since they do not have a stratum corneum like the rest of your skin. Check your lip products and avoid those with the following ingredients during the winter:
Parabens
Humectants
Flavors or fragrances
Synthetic dyes and colors
The following ingredients can moisturize and protect your lips:
Natural oils: The lips can readily absorb these for fast hydration. Good options include coconut, jojoba, sunflower, apricot kernel, grapeseed, olive, almond, hemp seed and avocado oils.
Shea butter: This ingredient soothes irritation while it hydrates due to the high fatty acid content.
Cocoa butter: This ingredient is high in multiple vitamins and minerals that soften and moisturize your lips.
Honey: Honey has high levels of amino acids for optimal hydration. It also contains antioxidants to aid in protecting your lips.
Take this information and use it to evaluate your current array of beauty products. Check the formulas and the ingredients to see which items you need to swap to ensure that your skin is healthy and hydrated throughout the winter.