The winter trademarks of cooler weather, harsh winds, and snuggling up to your fireplace all cause havoc on your skin. Without the natural moisture that your body produces in warmer weather, you may find your skin to be dry, flaky, and/or irritated.
We’ve all been there—cracked and chapped lips, scaly skin, and flushed red cheeks and nose from constantly swapping from cool, dry air outside, to even drier warm air inside. Though the heater feels like your best friend when you’re trying to warm up, your skin will instantly dry out and become flaky if you aren’t taking proper care to deeply nourish and moisturize it.
We all know that healthy skin takes work. But with some slight tweaks to your routine, you’ll be on your way to gorgeous cool weather skin. Here, we share our top tips for healthy, hydrated skin even as the weather cools.
Hydrate
Hydration is key to achieving healthy skin. While the weather is cooler and you may not be as thirsty as you are in the summer months, it is still important to aim for drinking around two liters of water per day. Staying hydrated helps your body to function at its healthiest, and can make your skin appear plump and your eyes sparkly.
Avoid hot showers
We love a steamy hot shower. But the fall and winter months are the time when your skin and hair need maximum attention and care. Stick to washing with closer to lukewarm water as it helps to prevent dehydration of your skin. Hot water makes the skin’s natural oils soften, stripping away this moisture barrier and allowing skin to dry out quicker.
Treat yourself
If your skin does appear dry, try a steam facial or warm compress to help retain moisture in your skin cells. The warm steam will open your pores, then treat them with a moisturizing mask, like our GLOBAL NOURISH 99% Natural Super Fruits Antioxidant Mask to restore radiance and lock in moisture. Exfoliating scrubs also help get rid of dry, dead skin cells but be choosy about which products you use. A gentle facial exfoliant is a must so you don’t irritate or further dry out your skin. A more nourishing and granular scrub like our GLOBAL NOURISH Green Tea Antioxidant Body Polish is better for use on heels and elbows. This geranium infused, green and white tea fortified polish will leave your skin even, polished, and gently exfoliated.
Do not lick your lips
With zero oil glands of their own, your lips rely solely on external moisture to keep them soft. So, when winter rolls around they tend to need some extra care. Use a lip balm with ingredients like beeswax, cocoa butter, and coconut oil to deeply penetrate the lips and provide longer lasting moisture.
Add extra moisture to your skin
Moisturize your skin morning and night immediately after you shower or cleanse. Choose a thick, deep penetrating moisturizer such as a body butter with vitamin E for all over body use, and a lighter weight product for your face. Apply while your skin is still damp for extra moisture retention.
We also recommend using a moisture sleep mask; the GLOBAL NOURISH
Thirsty Skin + Sleeping Mask was specifically designed for ultra-dry, dehydrated, and flaky skin. This mask is also great for post-airplane travel, when your skin loses the most moisture. Fortified with Hyaluronic Acid, this superhero mask is ultra-hydrating, moisture balancing, and a must have during dry winter months.
