Although we take care of our skin all year round, winter brings more challenges. It is when our face is dry that it seems inappropriate to apply Vaseline, especially if we are walking or hiking in the snow. Meanwhile our poor red, dry, chapped hands are trying their best.
How do you cope with dirty skin in January and February? Even if you consider changing your moisturizer, dry and itchy skin can change with the seasons. So here's how you can make a difference before winter is over.
Step 1: Change your location. It all starts at home. Of course, we all have to turn on the heater when it's cold. But it dries out our skin more. It is important to increase the air humidity. To do this, make sure you have a good dehumidifier for the rooms you spend most of your time in - the bedroom (which will be kept at a moderate temperature so you don't heat the air) and ideally one or two for other rooms. I like the Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart Humidifier ($68 at amazon.com) for its reliability and ease of use.
Step 2: Moisturize from the inside out. As with most things, it's what you put into your body that matters. Of course, drink this water. But it's also about not drinking - just like alcohol. Deep winter is not the best time to drink alcohol because it is very drying. And the most important thing is what you eat. Water-rich (and flavorful) foods like cucumbers, watermelon, apples, tomatoes, and yogurt are great here.
Step 3: Use a Moisturizer Because of the harsh ingredients, you'll need to use your product thoroughly. This means not only lotions, but also creams like CeraVe Moisturizer ($16.23 at amazon.com) that contain skin-protecting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Use at least 30 SPF (alone or with foundation) every day, and use it day, night, and day if your face is chapped from the cold. If you use an eye cream, apply a thin layer of Aquaphor ($7.29 at cvs.com) after application to protect skin prone to redness and dryness, especially during cold weather.
Step 4: Don't forget your hands: For the rest of the year, it's enough to apply a little perfume. Not this season. It's time to remember to apply a thick hand cream like Kai Rose Hand Cream ($22 at nordstrom.com) a few times a day and take the time to exfoliate properly. Then, right before bed, slather your entire hand with a thick cream like CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream ($12.99 at ultabeauty.com), then apply Vaseline or another petroleum product to your knuckles. If you don't want to risk leaving this product on your sheets, add Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Revitalizing Hand Masks ($28.44 at amazon.com) to your arsenal, which add avocado oil and shea butter to revitalize dull skin. Skin in winter.