Winter Skin Care Secrets
Winter can wreak havoc on your skin. If you have a photo shoot coming up, that’s a big bummer. So what can you do to keep your skin glowing for your next closeup? (With me, your favorite photographer, duh!)
I don’t claim to be a professional dermatologist, but I have learned a few tricks over my many winters to keep my skin supple and smooth.
Give these tips a try and your skin should be glowing all winter long!
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Wear sunscreen - If you’re like me, you associate sunscreen with summertime. But even on dreary winter days, harmful UV rays can permeate the clouds and cause damage. Invest in a good moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher to make sure your face is protected every day. Taking vitamin D3 supplements will help compensate for blocking the sun’s rays and give you added energy on dark days.
Don’t crank the heat — Hot air is the biggest culprit behind dry skin. Set your heater at an eco-friendly 65-70 degrees to maintain comfort without sacrificing your skin.
Cold(er) showers — It’s tempting to turn the knob allll the way on cold mornings, but steamy showers will leave your skin scaly and lifeless. If you can’t resist, use hot water while you wash your lower body and then switch to a cooler temperature when you wash your upper body and face. Rinsing shampoo with cold water is better for your hair, so it’s a win-win.
Stay hydrated — It’s easy to get your daily water intake when you’re hot and sweaty, but when it’s cold outside, staying hydrated is often your last priority. Carry around a water bottle, or swap your hot chocolate for apple cider, to make sure you’re getting enough H2O each day. To boost your hydration, try adding Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier packets to your water bottle. Essentially these packets boost your hydration faster than water alone. With over 4,000 positive reviews, I am not the only one who thinks this stuff is amazing!
Protect your pucker — Chapped lips can ruin a beautiful smile. Licking sore lips will only make them worse, so be sure to seal your lips with an ointment-based balm several times a day. Avoid lip balms containing eucalyptus, menthol or camphor, as those substances will dry out your lips even more.
Vitamin Z — That new series on Netflix will be there tomorrow, so don’t stay up all night binge-watching. Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep a night to help your skin maintain elasticity. (And don’t forget to wash your face before bed!)
Swap your soaps — Your skin is extra sensitive in the winter, so your skincare routine needs to be gentle. Stay away from harsh products that dry out skin, like mud masks, toners or astringents. Also avoid alcohol-based products and those containing glycolic or salicylic acid. If your face feels tight after washing, it means your cleanser is disrupting your skin barrier. Try switching to a gentler soap, like Cetaphil.
Sleeping Mask for Your Lips — This lip softening balm is a literal lifesaver for me. I can’t get enough of this. It is supposed to be a night mask, but I use it all day long in the winter. You will absolutely LOVE THIS STUFF!
Make it moist - Apologies for using the word moist, but moist skin is skincare goals. Whether that means sleeping with a humidifier (I love this one) on, keeping lotion in your car, or guzzling herbal tea — keeping yourself and your skin hydrated will save your skin this winter!