7 Ways to Keep Your Skin Glowing This Winter
It’s that time of year again. Autumn leaves have come and gone and now the morning dew has changed into a gentle frost blanketing the ground. Jack Frost is making his rounds and we can feel it. Winter is coming and that means big changes for your skin.
We all know that there is nothing better than snuggling up inside your cozy house next to the fireplace after a long day in the snow. But space heaters and fireplaces pull mass amounts of moisture from the air.
To make matters worse, humidity levels plummet when temperatures drop- meaning that there is less moisture in the air to help keep your skin hydrated.
Whether you are indoors or outside, your skin is at a major disadvantage when it comes to moisture and suppleness during the winter. When your skin is dehydrated, you are more prone to breakouts.
To help combat winter dehydration and keep your skin looking naturally beautiful, we’ve come up with 7 simple ways to help your skin stay glowing, from the inside and out, during this winter season.
1. Water – More and Less
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The first and most important way to jumpstart your hydration is to increase your water intake. Dehydration is the key enemy of your skin during winter and adding hydration to the skin is as simple as adding more water to your diet.
Dermatologists everywhere agree that water is the holy grail when it comes to skincare. Proper water intake adds plumpness to the skin which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Cooler temperatures come with low humidity. Low humidity means drier air which then causes any moisture in and on your skin to evaporate quickly. This results in skin feeling tight and dry.
Increasing your daily water intake is the first more effective step in healing and preventing dry skin.
However…
When it comes to showers, the opposite is true. Instead of spending extra time in a steaming hot shower, short lukewarm showers are best for the winter season.
I know it sounds crazy, but hot showers are extremely damaging to your skin. The water may feel nice and warm but hot water actually strips your body of the natural oils (aka moisture) your body needs.
One tip and trick to help lock in moisture after the shower is to apply your lotions and creams to damp skin. The added moisture from the dew on your skin can be locked in by your skincare products.
2. Switch Up Your Skincare
Speaking of skincare, figuring out the exact right combination of skincare for your face is never an easy task. Add a little winter dryness and now your skincare routine needs a little facelift.
Finding a cleanser that is oil or cream based will help add moisture to your routine without actually feeling extra oily. Many mattifying or purifying cleansers can actually dry your skin out more and be damaging to your healthy skin barrier.
Even better, adding a serum to your routine is highly recommended after cleansing and before adding your moisturizer. Serums like Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid are ideal for winter months because they are known for hydrating the skin and adding plumpness and a gentle glow.
3. Keep Your Immunity Up
As we all know, “Cold Season” tends to have a double meaning during the winter months. Windy weather and lower temperatures have become synonymous with stuffy noses and lots of chicken noodle soup.
A great way to make sure that you are healthy and don’t miss out on any holiday meetings or greetings is to prevent sickness in the first place.
How do you do this?
Increasing your daily dose of vitamins and a healthy diet is a great way to start. But how can you take this one step further?
B12 is an essential vitamin that our bodies need, but do not naturally produce. It is only produced in animal products which makes it easy to lack in human diets, especially for those who adhere to a vegan or vegetarian diet.
The main function of B12 vitamins is to aid in the production of red blood cells which transport oxygen throughout the body. Lack of red blood cells can lead to anemia and fatigue.
While you can take this supplement orally, B12 is a water soluble vitamin- meaning, the body has a hard time absorbing all of the benefits when taken by mouth.
B12 Injections, however, are a natural and 100% efficient way to make sure you get the maximum amount of B12 your body can naturally absorb.
Other benefits of B12 in the body include
- Boost immune system
- Increased energy
- Skin, hair and nail growth
- Regulates mood
- Possible increase in memory
*If you have any questions about B12 injections, click here to learn more about our services.
4. Essential Oils
In warmer months, or in warmer climates in general, our bodies naturally produce oils and moisture. But as stated before, cooler temperatures means that there is less moisture in the air- causing your skin to work extra hard for those natural oils to produce.
Many people have added the use of a retinoid to their daily skincare routine for the purpose of anti-aging. Retinoids enhance cell turnover and aids the production of collagen in the skin.
It’s a great product for anti-aging. Unfortunately, it also comes with the harsh side effect of dryness and irritation to dehydrated skin.
Some people have found that using their tried and true retinol every other day instead of daily has helped keep their skin stable in the winter months. But if you find that your skin is still dry or itchy, a great substitute is to switch to Essential Oils.
Rosehip Oil is a great natural alternative to your favorite retinoid. Whether you opt for a complete switch or feel more comfortable turning to an every other day routine, this essential oil comes with all the benefits of a retinoid without the drying and irritating effects retinoid comes with.
Rosehip Oil is pressed from a seed and is rich in Vitamin A, Omega-6 and Omega-3 vitamins. These all help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles as well as deeply moisturize your skin. It’s a perfect skin elixir to add to your routine for winter.
5. Take Advantage of Hydrafacials
Hydrafacials are an EXCELLENT way to add both oils and extra hydration into your skin in a professional way. HydraFacials replenish vital nutrients into your skin, including antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, leaving you with plump, firm and supple skin.
Hydrafacials have literally zero down time but quench that skin thirst in just one appointment. A gentle suction tool exfoliates dead skin cells from the face while simultaneously deeply penetrating your pores, infusing them with specialized serums and oils that give your skin that natural glow.
Hydrafacials are known for their ability to:
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Hydrate dehydrated skin
- Reduce the appearance of of dark spots
Speaking of sunspots…
6. Wear Your Sunscreen!
The sun may not feel like it’s roasting your skin as usual due to the cold winter air, but it’s rays are just as harmful as ever. The sun gives off UVA rays, and while you may not be able to feel the direct sunlight, these rays definitely do some damage to the skin.
Wearing sunscreen everyday helps prevent you from being a victim to unwanted dark spots and skin damage. It will also prevent premature aging of the skin.
Because UV rays also damage the collagen in your skin, the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet are much more prevalent without regular sunscreen use- So wear that sunscreen!
Which leads us to the last (and least fun) winter tip for your skin:
7. Limit Your Alcohol Consumption
Yes, you read that right.
I know, I know. The last thing you want to hear during the holidays is that Peppermint Schnapps in hot chocolate, topped with melted marshmallows, is actually harmful to your skin.
Alas, it’s true.
Alcohol may warm you up on the inside, but it is so dehydrating for your skin. Not only does it dilate your pores (allowing more external toxins into the skin resulting in blemishes) but it also strains the skin of moisture, accelerating the appearance of wrinkles.
I’m not saying you have to give up alcohol completely, but a good habit to get into may be to alternate one glass of alcohol with one glass of water to help balance your intake during the harsh winter season.
Jack Frost may be nipping at your nose, but by incorporating those 7 simple steps into your routine, you will be ready to take on winter by storm with beautiful glowing skin. If you have any questions about your winter routine or the services we offer to help restore hydration into the skin, feel free to stop by or contact us as Foothills Med Spa! We’d love to hear from you! 