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Even here in Los Angeles, cooler winter weather takes a toll on your skin. This is the time of year when lower temperatures, dryer air and wind can cause skin to become irritated and flaky. Without extra care, it can become red, itchy and uncomfortable. Protect your skin this winter by stepping up your regimen with these cold weather skin survival tips:
- Wash your face gently: Switch to a creamy facial cleanser for the season to pamper your skin and restore some of the moisture lost to the winter weather.
- Cater to your sensitive skin: Even if you don’t normally consider your skin “sensitive,” expect it to act that way in winter. Use dermatologist-recommended, professional grade, skin-soothing products filled with natural ingredients for gentle, winter-friendly skin care.
- Use more effective emollients: Use heavier face cream formulations and body butter this time of year. Your thirsty skin will absorb thicker lotions now more than those you might need under sweaty summer conditions.
- Lighten up on retinols: Counteract retinol’s drying effects during winter by using it less often or switch to a retinol cream with moisturizer built in. This way you can continue to enjoy it’s anti-aging effects without excessive redness and flaking.
- Add eye cream: If you normally use a single moisturizing lotion for your entire face, using eye cream now will focus more emollients on the thinner, dryer under-eye skin, providing skin rejuvenation where it’s needed most.
- Banish dead skin cells: It may seem counter-intuitive to use a stronger exfoliating facial scrub once or twice per week in winter, but clearing away dead facial skin helps your much-needed moisturizer penetrate deeper.
- Exfoliate the body, too: Look for ingredients such as hydrating oil near the top of the list. Sugar and fruit-based products are good natural choices.
- Choose more effective lip balm: Switch to thicker salves for winter for better hydration, but make sure sunscreen is included. Also, women should consider skipping the matte lipstick look and opt for a creamy version.
- Avoid bar soap: Use a moisture-rich shower gel instead. Bar soap often contains sodium hydroxide, which dries out the skin.
- Perfect your look with hydrating foundation: Matte powder formulations make already-dry winter skin look (and feel) drier. Switch to liquid for hydration that also lets skin breathe.
Make these changes to your skincare routine right away, so that your skin retains its youthful tone and texture throughout the winter and into the coming decades. Get personalized advice about skin rejuvenation, by contacting Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles, today.
