Cold air and harsh winds can take their toll on your skin in the winter, making it chapped, red and itchy.
Although you can't change the weather conditions outside, there are several ways you can avoid those dry skin blues in the cold: 1.
Protect your skin from the elements.
When you go outdoors, wear gloves, a scarf and a hat to protect your sensitive skin from the elements.
Another good tip is to apply moisturizer to your hands before you put on your gloves - it is almost like a mini-spa treatment for your hands that adds an extra level of protection against dryness.
2.
Keep showers short.
Take shorter showers in the winter and use warm water, not hot.
Avoid soap and use a mild cleanser to cleanse your skin.
Pat your skin dry and don't rub it.
Apply a thick moisturizer all over while your skin is still damp to seal in additional moisture.
3.
Drink enough water every day.
Maintaining internal hydration is essential for your skin's overall well-being.
Drink at least six to eight glasses of water each day for proper waste elimination and optimum skin health.
4.
Gently exfoliate your skin.
Removing dry surface skin cells by exfoliating helps your skin by eliminating toxins and improving circulation.
For your body, you can take a soft, natural brush and rub it all over in gentle, circular motions to remove dead skin cells and reveal healthier skin.
To deeply cleanse the pores on your face, try using steam.
Boil a pot of hot water and stand over the steam with a towel around the pot for around five or ten minutes to open the pores and loosen oils and dead skin cells.
After exfoliating your body and face, gently cleanse your skin to wash away excess oils and skin cells.
5.
Moisturize your skin.
Use a moisturizer on your face and body at least twice a day in the winter to protect and hydrate your skin.
Moisturizers with natural ingredients such as aloe, probiotics and panthenol are extremely effective and non-irritating for most skin types.
6.
Improve your circulation.
Circulation carries essential nutrients throughout the body to benefit all your organs, including the largest one of all - your skin.
You can improve your circulation through physical activity, such as running, walking and stretching.
7.
Avoid eating too much sugar.
If you have excess sugar in your body, it can actually damage your skin over time.
Glucose molecules may build up in your system and stick to the protein molecules in a process called glycation.
The molecules formed through glycation damage collagen and can make your skin lose elasticity, resulting in wrinkles and sagging.
By taking a few extra precautions to prevent winter itch, your skin can have a healthy glow all year long - even in the harshest winter weather!