Ultimate Guide to Hydrated Skin

Winter is coming and it’s already a lot colder in many areas!  The cold air and wind will dry your skin out like crazy, and since no one wants red, raw, flaky skin, here are a bunch of tips to stay moisturized for the season!

·      Moisturize- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!  Even if you have naturally oily skin, the cold air will dry you out so you need extra lotion!  A little extra will make a huge difference.  (Bonus tip: If you have acne-prone skin, this is extra important!  When your skin is dry it will overcompensate by producing even more oil to balance things out, which means more clogged pores and breakouts.)

·      Switch lotions- You may want to consider switching to a thicker lotion for nighttime.  Even if it makes your skin look a little greasy, it should stay on your skin longer while you sleep so your face won’t feel so dry in the morning.  (If it leaves a greasy residue on your pillow you’ll need to switch your sheets more often so you’re not sleeping on the previous few nights’ face oils all the time.)

·      Oil- If your skin can handle it, using a facial oil rather than lotion may be a good option!  These oils are more concentrated than moisturizer, but they may clog pores on sensitive skin.

·      No hot water- When washing your face and showering do not use hot water.  It may be tempting in the cold winter months, but that hot water will really dry out your skin.  You want to do your best to avoid that tight, itch feeling your skin may get when it starts to dry.  Use warm water, and if possible, avoid letting it directly hit your face for the majority of the time you’re in there.  (Bonus tip: Hot water is also very damaging for your hair, so avoiding really hot water will help you keep moisture in your hair and less frizz in the winter!)

·      No air drying- For your skin, that is.  (It’s still best to let your hair air dry as often as possible to avoid the damage from the hair dryer!)  As soon as you get out of the shower or wash your face, grab a clean towel and pat (don’t rub!) until your skin is almost dry.  When your skin is still just a bit damp, immediately apply lotion to lock in and add to that moisture. 

·      Gently exfoliate- This is great to knock off dead, rough skin cells and make your skin look brighter, but it’s also great for shaving!  Before you shave your legs, gently exfoliate (I love the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub in Brazilian nut.  It smells like mocha!) then use a moisturizing shaving cream.  Exfoliating before shaving will allow you to get a closer shave, meaning smoother legs and more time between shaves!

·      Lotion makeup remover- Alcohol-based makeup removers are very drying, so try a lotion version!  I use the Maybelline The Flash Clean Clean Express Makeup Removing Lotion and I love it!  It’s much gentler on the skin than a traditional makeup remover but it still gets all the makeup off.  (You can also try a cleansing oil as a makeup remover, if your skin reacts well to oils.)

·      Spot treat- If you use topical acne treatments, try spot treating rather than applying over your entire face.  These can be really drying and irritating, so whenever your skin is feeling extra raw, skip the allover application and focus on problem areas and noticeable upcoming breakouts.

·      Shea-infused socks- After applying a lotion or body cream to your feet, throw on some of these moisturizing socks before bed.  They lock in the moisture you applied plus add some more throughout the night!

·      Humidifier- My skin gets really dry over night, even in the more humid months, so sleeping with a humidifier on helps a lot!  You can get one that automatically turns off after a specified period of time if you don’t want it running all night.

·      Wear gloves- Don’t forget your gloves in the winter!  It may seem obvious, but they’re easy to forget when running out the door.  Keep a pair in your bag or your car, or just keep them right by the door so they’re easier to remember.  Apply lotion right before heading out into the cold then throw on some gloves to protect your hands from the wind and dry air.  (The same goes for a scarf if you have an open neck with your coat on.)  This will keep them softer, smoother and help prevent them from cracking!  (Bonus tip: Applying lotion, and sunscreen, to your hands every day will also keep them looking younger in the long run.  Make this a habit and your hands won’t reveal your age when you’re older!)

·      Car heating vents- Try not to keep the vents in your car pointed directly at your face or hands.  It feels great when you first get the car warmed up on a cold day, but having that warm air blowing directly on delicate skin will just dry it out.

·      Drink water- A lot of it!  This is still super important in the winter for obvious health reason, plus it will help keep your skin bright and moisturized!  You can’t go wrong with water!      

~Alyssa