5 Ideas for Sizzling Winter Skin
Is it spring yet?
With snowstorm after snowstorm hitting many states in the US, it seems like winter weather is here to stay for a bit longer. Even Florida, the sunshine state, has been experiencing its fair share of unseasonable lows. So you might be looking for a few ways to warm up your skin. Here's a list of five that can help.
- Keep on exfoliating. Many women stop exfoliating their skin during the wintertime and instead load up on moisturizer, because they fear having a raw, red complexion. Well, it turns out that exfoliating is actually effective for creating extra moisture. Exfoliating makes way for moisture-rich cells to come to the surface.
- Sidestep windburned skin. Wind doesn’t just sabotage a good hair day (think flyaways, frizzies and staticky strands); it can also damage our skin. Before going outside in the wind, first apply a rich salve. Then, apply your sunscreen, which should contain SPF 30 or greater.
- Look for double-duty products. Find products that contain hydrators and skin-boosting ingredients such as antioxidants. This helps to both maximize the level of moisture and protect skin for harsh elements in the wintertime.
- Steer clear of moisture-depleting scavengers. In the wintertime, there are many culprits that dry out your skin. Avoid using alcohol-based toners, potent peels and clay-based masks, because they strip the skin of its natural oils. Also, stay away from bubble bath products, which contain irritating foaming ingredients. Same goes for formulas with fragrance and dyes - common skin irritants.
- Fine-tune your beauty routine. Thanks to the blistery wind and harsh temps, your eyes can get watery and tear up. To prevent a mascara meltdown, be sure you’re using a waterproof product. Choose waterproof eyeliner, too.
Plus, not exfoliating leads to a lackluster, sallow complexion. To get stunning skin without the irritation, look for an exfoliant with enzymes, which tends to be a gentler option. And remember to continue using a good moisturizer, especially after exfoliating.
Using a super-hydrating ointment gives skin a protective layer against the wind, and the sunscreen, of course, shields your skin from damage. Ointments consist of 80 percent oil and 20 percent water, so they contain the most oil, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Plus, ointments are great when humidity is low, says the AAD. But if you’ve got oily or acne-prone skin, avoid ointments, and stick to water-based lotions, instead.
Another great multitasker is tinted moisturizer, which hydrates the skin and gives it a warm, radiant glow. And if you’re short on space, buy mini kits, such as compacts with lip, shadow and cheek colors. Compacts are also terrific for on-the-go touch-ups, so keep a kit in your beauty bag.
Instead, this is the time to use gentler products in general and to opt for hydrating masks and skin-soothing oatmeal baths. Using oatmeal soap can also calm the skin.
Because skin tends to get drier, you might want to opt for creamier formulas, instead of powder ones. For instance, use a creamy blush to create a natural, dewy complexion. Also, find a moisturizing foundation and avoid matte formulas.
Chapped lips are another winter skin woe. Avoid matte and long-lasting lipsticks and lip stains, which dry out your pout. Wear lip balm with SPF 30 underneath your lip gloss. You get added hydration and protection, and lips look supple and smooth.
How has the winter weather affected your skin? As the temperature gradually rises, I'm noticing that my complexion is becoming more balanced. The humidity in the air during the recent rain storms led to overdrying, then major oil production, so I always seemed to be either slathering on the moisturizer/jojoba oil or blotting at my T-zone. I definitely bombed this winter in the bubble bath department...I couldn't resist my bubbles, and ended up with dry, itchy skin that finally went away a few weeks ago.
So...how about you? Is your skin ready for spring, or are you still caught in the throes of winter?