Developing a good skin care regimen is difficult enough but the cold, harsh climates of winter can make it even more difficult to maintain soft, healthy skin. More difficult doesn’t mean impossible, however. Here are tips for maintaining soft, healthy skin throughout the winter.
Stay hydrated
Your skin is an organ and it’s the largest organ in your body. Like all organs, your skin is composed of cells and cells are predominantly made up of water. Staying hydrated helps your cells to stay plump and firm. Without adequate water, your skin can become dry and flaky. In the summer it is often easier to remember to drink water since water can be cool and refreshing during the hot summer months. In the winter, however, heaters can create a dry, desert-like indoor climate, making it even more important to consume adequate amounts of water.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating skin in the winter is particularly important. As the skin dries, it creates a barrier that is meant to trap moisture in. What traps moisture in, however, also keeps moisturizers from penetrating from the outside in. Once you have exfoliated away the outer layer of dead, you can moisturize with a natural moisturizer like coconut oil or apply a thick balm. On your feet, you can use a hard pumice stone to slough away hard, calloused skin. You can make a scrub of honey and sugar to use in the shower for your body, and on your face, you can use a gentle exfoliator or exfoliating pad.
Moisturize and create a moisture barrier to hold it in
One of the best ways to keep hands and feet moisturized is to apply a thick, heavy balm before bed at night and put cotton socks or gloves over the moisturizer. This allows the moisturizer to slowly penetrate while you sleep and keep it off your sheets and bedclothes at the same time. If you want to create an even better barrier to ensure the moisturizer penetrates deeply overnight, you can wrap hands and feet in plastic wrap before donning socks and gloves.
Take a milk bath
Milk contains lactic acid, which is just acidic enough to slough away dead skin cells all over your whole body. While you may not want to fill your entire tub with milk, you can still get the same benefits by sprinkling a few cups of powdered milk into your bath.
Keep your showers short
When the cold weather hits, it can be tempting to take a long, hot shower in the morning. Showers actually strip your skin of moisture so it’s best to keep them to 10 minutes or less and only shower once a day. Once you have finished showering, it’s important to replace the moisture that was lost by showering. So be sure and follow your shower up with a good moisturizer. Natural oils like almond oil, coconut oil, and even olive oil will absorb quickly into the skin after a shower, which means the oil won’t leave you feeling greasy.