While the winter season may bring on some of our favorite staples of the year, like The Super Puff and a cozy pair of Mini Uggs, it also brings out one of the most detrimental things in dermatology– dry, itchy, flaking skin. Skiing and sledding are all the rage until the skin around your eyes starts crackling in the wind, and this is something we just cannot have while we are trying to achieve that “Aspen-Chic” winter look. Here are our favorite products and tips for giving your skin that radiant glow in the midst of the snow.
1. It Starts in the Shower
We get it. Nothing feels better after a day in the arctic tundra than a steamy, hot shower. However, the first thing that hot water does is strip your skin of its natural, moisturizing oils. That’s why you have to do everything in your power to replace those oils and focus on moisture retention throughout your winter self-care routine.
An easy fix for this is baby oil. After washing, shaving, etc., you should rub baby oil all over your damp skin, letting a small bit of water rinse over it. Pat dry immediately following your shower, and your skin will never feel better.
2. Moisturize, moisturize, MOISTURIZE!
It’s a tale as old as time… your skin is dry, so you apply a moisturizer. But perhaps your Sol de Janeiro just is not doing the job for you in the winter. Instead, try out a product that truly focuses on nourishing the skin in this cold, dry climate.
Try out Vaseline’s Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion to grant your skin a seamless, long-lasting glow as you lounge by the fireplace. This product uses Pure Cocoa Butter and ultra-hydrating lipid technology to fortify your skin barrier and replenish moisture loss– both perfect for combatting that scaly texture you may be experiencing.
3. Mix In Bio Oil
We may never see a true “miracle product” in our lifetime– but Bio Oil certainly gets us close. Skincare oils typically have a way of leaving us greasy, shiny, and stained clothes. However, Bio-Oil is a non-greasy, non-pore-clogging, calming face and body oil that makes for the perfect addition to any skincare routine.
Made with Vitamin E, Chamomile, and Lavender Oil, Bio-Oil maintains moisture while leaving your skin calm and soothed. When your moisture barrier has reached its limit in the cold, winter months, some products may do more harm than good– leaving your skin painfully dry. But Bio Oil can make all of the difference, relieving your skin of any flakes and returning it to its equilibrium.
4. Hydration is Key
Good skin starts from within! Our mothers have always told us to drink more water to clear up our skin – and we should really start taking their advice seriously. Not taking in enough fluids throughout the day makes our skin far more susceptible to drying out– so let’s try to continue our trend of eight cups of water a day despite the frigid temperatures.
If you struggle to drink the recommended amount of water every day, get something like this chic water bottle. The truth is, you can drink water out of a faucet, a solo cup, or a hose– but having a water bottle with measurements on the side may help you keep track of just how much water you are actually drinking (and most of us are certainly not drinking enough of it). Drink two of these per day, and you are golden (and so is your skin).
5. Adjust Your Skincare Routine
We can all agree, 2023 was the year of skin care. The girlies are loving all of the retinoids, chemical exfoliants, and scrubs they can get their hands on– but winter may be the time to put your Paula’s Choice and Drunk Elephant back on the shelf and get back to the basics. Over-exfoliating your skin as it is already struggling with moisture retention may be one of the worst things you can do to yourself as far as skincare goes.
If you notice your skin starting to burn or flake throughout your skincare routine, it is time to opt in for a more gentle cleanser as opposed to an extreme chemical exfoliant while your skin heals from the dry air. Instead of using Panoxyl as your primary face wash, try out La Roche-Posay’s Face Cleanser. This cleanser will leave your skin balanced, nourished, and hydrated– all essential for happy, winter skin.
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