No matter if your home is in a mild climate or if you're facing a potential polar vortex, winter weather brings unique skin care challenges.
Winter weather is both dry and cold. The dry air pulls moisture out of the skin which leaves us dehydrated. The cold air attacks the outer layer of our skin and can lead to cracking and even inflammation.
Luckily, a few tweaks of your skin care routine can make a big difference! If you’re feeling dry or itchy, we’ve got some tips that will let you enjoy the coziness of the season.
MODIFY YOUR FACIAL SKIN-CARE ROUTINE
During the winter months, choose gentle cream-based cleansers, like our Desert Aloe & Jojoba Cream Cleanser, and apply toners and astringents sparingly. A toner without witch hazel or alcohol, like our Prickly Pear Toner will serve you without further drying your skin. Also, watch out for artificial fragrances so that you can better retain natural oils.
Keeping your skin protected both morning and night with a facial cream will help keep moisture from escaping and protect you skin from the cold, wind, and dry air which all lead to dry and irritated skin. We suggest Prickly Pear Rescue Cream for daytime. At night, use a richer moisturizer, like Desert Aloe & Jojoba Cream on your face for an added layer of nourishing protection.
Remember your lips! Applying a moisturizing balm can help heal dry, cracked lips and keep them from getting chapped. If you feel any stinging or tingling sensations, switch to a different product.
Pro tip: Try adding a cooling lip mask to your winter mix. Prevent and even treat your chapped lips with Succulips lip mask from Earth Based Body.
REMEMBER TO EAT WELL AND STAY HYDRATED
When skin is very dry, it can be helped by foods or supplements that contain omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids, such as fish oil and flaxseed oil. Drinking plenty of water will help you stay properly hydrated. If you find it hard to drink enough water when it is cold, try caffeine free teas or even broths. Staying hydrated internally will help your skin.
It is most important to support your skin’s moisture from the outside. Add hyaluronic acid into the mix! This ageless icon is a magnet for moisture which is drawn from the environment. Use our new Hyaluronic Acid Serum under your makeup, plus a natural moisturizer with SPF like Prickly Pear Daily Moisturizer, as part of your morning routine. Use the serum under your night cream as well.
To complete your coverage, add a natural body cream with hyaluronic acid, like Earth Based Body’s Cactus Crush which also tackles crepe skin.
LIMIT SHOWER TIME AND TEMPERATURE
When you’re chilled to the bone, it may be tempting to take a long, steamy shower. Here’s the thing…if the water causes your skin to start going pink, it’s too hot! The better choice for your skin is a 5-10 minute lukewarm shower or bath.
Take it easy on your hands, too. Washing your hands in cooler water appears to be just as effective at removing germs as warm water and is less irritating to skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And if you’re using a restroom air hand-dryer, use it just until your hands are damp rather than completely dry.
LIMIT YOUR LATHERING
Please tell me you won’t settle for a regular bar of soap to stay clean. The wrong soap can worsen itchy, dry skin. They often contain irritating and toxic ingredients and fragrances. Instead, be gentle with your cleansers. Shop for a fragrance-free, moisturizing cleanser or gel. Any of our facial gels or cream cleansers are a perfect upgrade to a boring (and toxic) shower gel!
Remember that “unscented” is not the same as fragrance-free. Using less soap overall can prevent winter skin problems, so limit your lathering this winter!
APPLY NATURAL SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY
No matter the season, always remember your sunscreen! On bright winter days, snow reflects the sun’s rays — up to 80 percent, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation — increasing your risk of exposure. That means whether you’re out on the slopes, playing in the snow, or just walking through a parking lot on an errand run, it’s just as important to be applying natural sunscreen in the harsh winter weather as it is in the summer.
And don’t be fooled by darker, dreary days in winter, either. The sun’s harmful UV rays can permeate clouds and still cause damage. Before you go outside, apply a moisturizing, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to all exposed areas of your body.
Winter is beautiful. Follow our tips and you’ll get to enjoy every minute of the season!
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