With winter coming, it can be next to impossible to maintain healthy skin as the weather starts to get dry and cold. To avoid chapping and painful cracks, simply pay attention to the following advice and maintain healthy skin.
Moisturize the Skin
One of the hardest parts about keeping skin healthy during winter is keeping it hydrated. The lack of moisture in the air is what causes the chapping as well as drying and flaking. The good news is that there is a simple remedy to help prevent this from occurring (and fix it if it does). The best thing to do is to find a high quality moisturizer that specializes in locking in moisture and therefore protecting the skin from drying out. Remember that when applying moisturizer, it should always be done around a half hour before going outside so it has time to set.
Use Sunscreen
Most people only think of wearing sunscreen in the summer and consider winter a break from having to wear it constantly. The fact of the matter, however, is that although the sun probably won’t be as strong during the winter months, it can still do some harm. The real problem that people don’t consider is that sunscreen is necessary not only to protect from the sun, but from its reflection on the snow as well. The best sunscreen for winter will have an SPF of at least 15 and include ingredients to moisturize.
Get Plenty of Exercise
No matter what time of the year, it is important to get exercise to stay healthy, but during winter it becomes crucial for skin health as well. That is because when the temperature drops, blood circulation slows down and that means that the skin won’t receive as many nutrients as normal, making it dull and lifeless. One of the simplest ways to fix this problem is to exercise daily as this will increase the blood flow, letting the skin get the nutrients they need.
Choose Gentle Products
Another winter skin care tip is to be careful when selecting any product that comes in contact with the skin such as cleaners and toners. These can contain alcohol which is a harsh ingredient and when this is combined with the additional stress on the skin due to weather, they can lead to skin that is even dryer than normal. Instead, it is best to opt for gentle moisturizing soaps and other products that will be easy on the skin.