Seven tips to protect your skin in Winter

Brrrr! Cold temperatures, harsh wind, low humidity, and indoor heat create a multitude of challenges for your skin. To the rescue: seven surefire ways to protect your complexion against winter's worst.

Winter weather is an annual challenge when it comes to taking care of your complexion, especially if you’re prone to dry skin. But there’s no need to give in to Jack Frost nipping at your toes…or your hands or face! ’Tis the season to switch up your skin-care regimen and winterise your routine. Here’s how:

1. Hang on to humidity. While furnaces, fireplaces, and woodstoves keep you toasty and warm, they do suck moisture out of the air, and that can lead to dry skin. One way to fend off itching, cracking, and flaking is to invest in a humidifier, which will help keep moisture in both the air and your skin.
2. Skip long soaks. A long, hot bath or shower may sound nice when the wind’s howling out there, but beware: Extended exposure to too-hot water can strip skin’s natural oils, leading to — you guessed it — dry skin! So modify your routine by keeping bathing rituals to 15 minutes (max) and keeping water temps moderate. Another quick tip: If skin is already itchy or flaking, add a bit of oatmeal or baking soda to your bathwater for some quick, all-natural relief.
3. Supercharge your cleansers. Skin exposed to cold weather needs an extra hydrating boost. So now’s the time to switch to a cleanser with added oils and fats, which can compensate for the moisture that winter strips away.
4. Opt for oil. In winter, thicker, oil-based moisturises do a better job than water-based formulas at combating harsh winds and temperatures and protecting against moisture loss. A water-in-oil emulsion — which is 80 percent oil and 20 percent water, usually found in ointment moisturizers — forms a protective layer on the skin, which makes this type of product more hydrating than creams or lotions.
5. Moisturise early and often. Applying moisturiser more frequently — especially to your hands and face — will help keep skin looking and feeling more supple and soft all winter long. Always moisturise immediately after washing your face or bathing — the sooner you slather the more water you’ll trap in your skin’s surface cells.
6. Bring on the balm. There’s nothing worse than dry, chapped lips. They make lipstick look clumpy, plus they can crack and bleed at any moment — not a pretty picture! The good news: You can banish chapping by protecting and moisturising your lips with an SPF 15 lip balm — they come in a thousand flavors, so choose one (or two or three) to stash in your purse, desk, and night table. Need stronger stuff? Try a dab of petroleum jelly on your lips (and elbows and heels) before you go to sleep at night.
7. Let skin breathe. When you’re layering up this winter, remember that certain synthetic fibers, such as acrylic, and even some natural fibers, like wool, can really irritate dry skin. Instead, opt for skin-friendly layers of natural, breathable fibers like cotton and silk, then remove layers as necessary to keep your body from sweating and overheating.