Winter brings colder temps, shorter days, and holiday cheer. It also means dealing with rougher conditions for your skin. Your skin takes a hit in the colder months from dryness to a lack of vitamin D. This makes skincare much more important.
But where should you start? With new trendy skincare products seemingly gaining popularity every week, it’s easy to be confused about what will help your skin thrive. These preparation steps can help you create a manageable routine that will make your skin happier and healthier throughout winter. Keep reading. Keep reading. Keep reading.
1. Do a Skin Check-In
Skin comes in many forms, whether oily and acne-prone or dry and sensitive. Before beginning any winter routines or introducing new products, examine your skin to understand your baseline.
You’ve likely heard of dry or oily skin. It’s a common binary in the skincare world. You likely have oily skin if you have noticeable oil or shine to your face throughout the day. With dry skin, you may notice patches of rough skin on your face or find your skin craves moisture. You may also experience separation or signs of wear with makeup like foundation or concealer. You may also experience separation or signs of wear with makeup like foundation or concealer.
Once you determine if your skin is dry or oily (or maybe even a combination), you’ll want to consider any sensitivities or conditions. You likely have sensitive skin if you get breakouts, hives, redness from products, environments, or other external or internal stressors. FlighExcess oil can get trapped with dirt and other bacteria in your pores, causing breakouts. Breakouts can also be caused by acne.
Once you better understand your skin, you can find the right products and treatments to take care of it. In-store by-products are often labeled by skin type. If you’re having trouble identifying your skin issues, you could consider speaking with a dermatologist or scheduling an online consultation. It’s possible to get online acne treatment and other skincare help specifically geared toward you and your skin.
2. Find a Moisturizer That Works
Prioritizing moisturizing your skin is key to combating winter weather and preventing pain from cracking. Prioritizing moisturizing your skin is key to tackling winter weather and preventing pain from breaking. Just like your hands tend to dry out in the winter, so do your face and the rest of your body. Look for the best moisturizers for your skin type, and try out different options until you find one that works.
Oily-skinned people may prefer gel moisturizers that still hydrate the skin without creating too much moisture. Dry-skinned people may want a bit thicker to create a moisture barrier that can lock in hydration.
If you have a negative reaction to a moisturizer, take a quick look at the ingredient list. Please list ingredients and compare them to other products that don’t work for you. From there, you can find which specific elements to avoid when shopping for skincare.
3. Continue Using SPF
You may think that shorter days and more hours of darkness mean less of a need for sun protection. However, your skin needs protection from harmful UV rays all year round.
Incorporate sunscreen with broad spectrum protection with an SPF of 30 to 50 and commit to wearing it daily. Remember to reapply during hours of direct exposure or long durations of being outdoors. Also, check the sunscreen’s instruction guide to understand limitations like being water resistant or requiring reapplication after a set period.
Spray and powder options can maintain your makeup look without skimping on sunscreen. However, on their own, these products may not provide sufficient coverage. And while it can be challenging to reapply sunscreen over makeup, try to incorporate it whenever possible. Opt for a hat or other form of physical protection to be safe when in doubt.
Remember, your body can use sun protection, too. Applying sunscreen to your hands and forearms when driving can help reduce sunspots, aging, and wrinkles. Also, keep in mind that removing layers may remove sun protection. Carrying around a portable sunscreen like a travel-size bottle or a solid stick can make additional applications much easier.
4. Introduce New Products One at a Time
It can be exciting to purchase new skincare and want to put products to the test immediately. But overhauling your routine and introducing too many variables can be hard on your skin. So, whether you’ve purchased a new body lotion or a face mask, refrain from trying them all at once.
If you have a new face mask, y that out at the same time as a new body lotion. You’ll want to avoid a new face mask with a new face serum and eye cream, though. Instead, focus on one product per part of your body at a time.
This is especially true if you have acne or broken skin. Always read directions on new products to understand their intended use and reactions to watch out for. If you experience any negative effects, stop using them immediately. If things get worse or there’s a reason for greater concern, seek medical attention.
Remember that achieving flawless skin throughout winter and year-round is a marathon, not a sprint. A slow, gradual introduction of new products can help identify which ones are working and which ones leave something to be desired.
5. Stay Consistent
Once you’ve landed on a routine that works for your skin, consistency is key. As easy as it is to skip a morning or night routine, you’ll want to keep it up. The consistent application can help lead to a balanced complexion from head to toe.
Know that you’re a night owl who gets ready for bed while half asleep? Aren’t mornings your thing? Aren’t mornings your thing? Create a night routine for your skin that can be done quickly and effectively. Simply rinsing your skin and applying a two-in-one moisturizer with sunscreen may be the right move.
The point is you want to find ways to care for your skin that you’ll keep up with. It’s great to have a 10-step routine that addresses all your concerns and leaves you with glowing, healthy skin. But in reality, the best skincare is the regimen you’ll stick to daily.
The skin is incredibly important as the biggest organ in the human body. Preparation for winter weather conditions can greatly improve improvement and confidence.
