When winter arrives, the heaters come on and the humidity levels drop…..leaving our skin dry, parched and even dull.  Below are a few tips that will help keep your skin hydrated and healthy this winter.

Limit Your Showers and Baths

I’m not just speaking of time here – but temperature as well.   Keep your showers or bath to a maximum of 5 minutes and only one time per day.  As tempting as it is to hang out in the hot shower for several minutes, remind yourself it is temporary AND your skin will love you for it!  Once you step out of the water – you need to replace moisture immediately.  I use Theraderm’s Body Restoration Creme* and my skin is never itchy!  I LOVE it.

Use Mild Soap

Step away from the Life Boy and any other strong deodorant soap.  They are too powerful to use during the winter months and they strip the natural oils from your skin making it dry and itchy.  Switch to a creamy or liquid soap and better yet….if you haven’t worked up a sweat – you could simply rinse off and not use a soap at all.

Moisturize As Much As Possible

This is one of the easiest, yet most over-looked thing you can do for your skin in the winter.  The richer the better!  Pay particular attention to your face and use moisturizer on it twice a day.  Areas like your hands tend to dry out more often and require frequent application.  I use Theraderm’s Extreme Dry Skin Therapy* on my hands and with 20% lanolin – they stay very soft!  As I mentioned above – applying your lotion after barely patting dry, will trap moisture in the skin.

Exfoliation

Making sure the top layer of dulling, dry skin is gone – will go a long way in your winter skin routine.  Not only will it allow your moisturizing products to penetrate more evenly and more readily – it will keep your skin glowing!  Try not to use harsh-gritty exfoliators, but instead opt for gentle one.  My personal fave?  Theraderm’s NuPeel Enzyme Peeling Gel*.  LOVE it!  I use it all year – but can really feel a difference when I use it in the winter.

Protection

This may seem a little silly to some – but protecting your skin from the elements is very important AND beneficial.  Wearing gloves, hats and scarves really cut down on hydration sucking wind and cold.  Heat locking under layers help as well.

I hope everyone finds these tips helpful and that your skin stays nice and hydrated this winter!

 

*shameless product plug (but I sincerely LOVE these products!)