4 Skincare Tips You Need This Winter
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By PAGE Editor
Winter can be hard on our skin, especially this year so it’s important to make sure you’re looking after yourself and your skin during the colder months. We’ve put together four key winter skincare tips to help keep your skin at its best this season.
Pay extra attention to acne-prone skin
Winter is a common type of increased skin complaints including acne. Despite skin becoming sweaty and oily in the summer, during the colder months you may experience breakouts when your body naturally produces more sebum to keep your skin hydrated in harsh weather. This will clog up pores and cause spots.
There are a few things you can do to prevent skin problems caused by wearing a face mask. To start, reusable cotton masks are better for your skin than synthetic disposable ones, but you also need to make sure you wash your mask after every time that you wash it. A used mask will have trapped dirt and bacteria, so when you wear it again it’s going to make your skin problems worse.
Even acne prone skin needs to be moisturized, so invest in a gentle cream that will stop your skin from drying out too much, resulting in more sebum, but won’t leave it feeling too greasy. For persistent acne, it could be worth using a prescription treatment like acne gels. For example, Duac gel is a common treatment for acne as it contains two key ingredients, which help get rid of bacteria on the skin and unclog pores.
Use moisturizers regularly to treat eczema
Eczema flare-ups are another issue that many people face during the winter. Eczema causes the skin to become red, inflamed, extremely dry, and itchy — it is often worse in the winter because the air is dryer outside in the cold and inside with heating.
To combat winter eczema flare-ups, keep your skin hydrated and avoid anything that may irritate it further. Certain fabrics, such as wool and nylon, can aggravate eczema and cause you to overheat, so choose breathable fabrics, such as cotton, that isn't too heavy.
Use gentle skincare products that are suitable for sensitive skin, avoid taking hot baths as this dries out your skin, and use a thick moisturizer immediately after you shower. It could also be worth investing in a humidifier to add moisture back into the air if your skin is irritated by the dry heat inside.
Wear SPF in the winter for a youthful appearance
Even during the winter months, it’s essential to protect your skin from sun damage. Although you might not see as much of the sun, harmful UV rays are still reaching your skin. UVB rays are weaker but can reflect off snow and ice on clear days and harmful UVB rays can penetrate through clouds so you’re at risk even on cloudy days.
These rays can result in premature aging and increase your risk of developing skin cancer, so it’s essential to protect your skin during winter. Even though the sun isn’t out as much you should try and use products with SPF 50 if possible. While you might not want to apply sunscreen in the winter there are plenty of moisturizers that also contain SPF so you can easily add sun protection into your normal skincare routine all year round.
Exfoliate your skin
To make the most of all the steps you take to protect and hydrate your skin this winter, it's critical to exfoliate lightly on a regular basis.
Two or three times per week, use a gentle exfoliator containing a small amount of glycolic acid. It works by breaking down the bond between your skin's outer layer and the next layer, which aids in the removal of dead, dull skin. When your skin is dry and dehydrated in the winter, exfoliating is especially important so that your skin appears smoother and more even.
For sensitive skin start out with a low-concentration glycolic cleanser, so that your skin can get used to it. If your skin is particularly dry or raw then avoid harsh exfoliators and cleansers, just start off with a damp face cloth and buff away dead skin cells gently a few times a week instead.
While winters can be harsh by taking a bit of time to look after yourself, hydrating your skin and effectively tackling breakouts, you can keep your skin looking healthy and glowing throughout the cold months.
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