How To Prepare Your Skin For Winter

Cold temperatures, harsh winds, and dry air sap skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, red and irritated. The best way to prep your skin for the harsh conditions and changing temperature is to start transitioning your skin care routine before winter begins.

Getting a jump-start on windburn and dry air is one of the best ways to ensure your skin will look fresh and hydrated all season long. “The change of seasons is always a stress on the skin and body in general,” says Dr. Doris Day, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “I often see people flaring with skin conditions at this time of year.”

Unfortunately, it’s not only the weather that can challenge your winter skin care. Stress around the holidays, changes in routine, and eating more sugar and fat than usual can cause more breakouts, tightness, and dullness.

To help keep your skin looking and feeling its best, here are some simple and effective strategies for optimum skin health.

Choose Natural Mild Cleansers

Unfortunately, many of today’s cleansers and shampoos strip your skin of natural oils, dry it out, and can actually damage your skin, encouraging dryness, dullness, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Our Natural, moisturizing Goat’s Milk Soaps are gentle and nourish your skin. Check them out here. Switch to an All Natural Shampoo Bar that’s plant oil rich and free of the harsh chemicals that damage your hair and irritate your scalp.

Exfoliate Several Times a Week

Getting rid of those dead skin cells on the surface helps your moisturizer penetrate much better. Why hydrate dead skin? It also brings back that youthful glow. Try our our Sugar Whipped Body Scrub and our Natural Facial Scrub. 

Moisturize More Often

It’s a fact that your winter skin will need extra attention. If you don’t moisturize now, start! If you usually use a lightweight lotion, you may need to switch to a thicker cream Whipped Shea Body Butter or Neem Cream that will replenish, restore, heal and repair skin. Our Goat’s Milk Hand & Body Lotion is great for all-over softness, especially after you shower.

Protection Is Prevention

Your skin and lips need protection from the cold, harsh winter weather. One of the first skin-related symptoms many people experience with the cooler weather starts is chapped lips and dry cracked skin. Your lips and skin need protection from the cold, harsh weather especially if you are spending a considerable amount of time outdoors. Protect your lips and skin with ointments and balms that are made with waxes that act as a barrier for the skin, holding in moisture.

For dry, cracked brittle nails we like the Cuticle Repair Cream. Other options include the Soothing Skin Ointment, ProCURE Repair Balm, Foot Lotion Sticks, and of course to protect your lips, the Natural Vegan Lip Balms.

Keep these products handy; in your purse, gym bag, pocket and apply throughout the day. For optimal results make sure you use them before bed. Keep them on your nightstand or on your end tables and apply while you watch your favorite TV shows.

Our Cuticle Repair Cream, Soothing Skin Ointment, Foot Lotion Sticks, Solid Lotion Bars, and Natural Vegan Lip Balms are formulated with natural waxes that act as a barrier for the skin, holding in moisture.

Continue Using Repair Creams

Even if you don’t feel the dryness, it’s there. Moisturizing every night, provides your skin with more nutrients so it can better withstand winter stress. Applying your repair creams more often during the week even if you don’t have any skin woes. For optimal results, apply them at night before bed to ensure healthy skin throughout the next day.

Stay On Top of SPF 

Winter weather may appear to be less sunny, but harmful UV rays are still out there, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast. Always protect skin with a safe sun blocking sunscreen using mineral zinc oxide. Check out these Sunblock options SUNCARE Body, Facial, and Lip Care.

Avoid Long Hot Showers

We all love steamy, hot showers, but, during the colder months, heat can dehydrate your skin. Stick with a shorter scrub-down and apply a rich moisturizing cream or body butter afterward, as well as face lotion, to lock in hydration and keep your skin soft all day long.

Drink Lots Of Water & Watch Your Diet

What you do and do not eat also has a huge effect on the way your skin looks, so to protect your skin before winter hits, drink plenty of water and keep nutrients high by loading up on vegetables and healthy fats.

Simple sugars and carbohydrates stimulate reactions in skin that can lead to psoriasis, eczema, acne and rosacea. Avoid these during your daily life and you’ll experience fewer setbacks when you indulge at the holidays.

Use A Humidifier

As winter comes, the air dries out. The dryer the air, the more it steals moisture from your skin. If you live in a dry climate, use a humidifier, particularly in your bedroom at night.

Updating Your Winter Skincare Routine

Changing your skincare routine shouldn’t be a source of stress. Keep it simple with just a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen or adopt a lengthy skincare routine with more steps. For many, skincare is a form of self-care. For others, it’s a preventative measure to keep the signs of aging and breakouts at bay. 

Whatever your skincare goals are, don’t let the colder seasons deter you. The foundation of your skincare routine should be hydration, nourishment, prevention, and protection. If you follow these winter skin care tips, you should be golden.

Written By: Mary Ellen Wank, Wellness Advocate and Founder of LATIV, Natural Skin Revival DISCLAIMER

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