Skin Care Tips You Need To Know To Combat Dry Winter Skin
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When winter weather comes around, skin tends to get dry and needs extra moisture. Other factors can change the skins moisture balance as well such as age, hormones, temperature, and humidity. Even this Southern California has my lips and skin dry so here’s a few things that I add to my skin care routine when my skin is feeling dehydrated. Ready to dive in?
Skin Care
So I love adding in this extra moisturizer year round whenever my skin needs more hydration. During the winter season, I have to add it into my daily routine to keep my skin from getting dry and flaky. I love the Oil Free Hydrating Gel (made for normal, combination, and oily skin) because it hydrates for up to 10 hours but doesn’t make my skin oily, greasy, or feel heavy. I add it on top of my regular moisturizer. So add in an extra moisturizer – it can do wonders for your skin during the colder months. It doesn’t need to be heavy or thick but it does need to help restore your skins moisture balance. If you’re not sure where to start with a skin care routine, check this out.
For my already dry friends, check out this one. It is made for dryer skin so it will give you even more hydration that your skin needs without feeling heavy! This not only brings back your skins moisture levels but also creates a protective shield to retain the moisture.
And if you have extremely dry skin, face or body, this is absolutely amazing. I use this on my hands, feet, elbows, anywhere really dry. This has really helped with my sons eczema on his face and legs.
Don't Skip the SPF
Also, don’t skip the SPF – The sun is still present during winter so you still need protection from UVA & UVB rays. So I add the Oil-Free Hydrating Gel on top of my regular moisturizer instead of replacing it because my Day Cream has SPF 30 and is broad-spectrum (protects against UVA & UVB rays). If you want to read more about the importance of SPF, you can read more here.
Exfoliate
Do not miss this step. A physical exfoliator will just get rid of the dry skin so its best to take it to the next level with a chemical peel. I personally have used this Facial Peel (it doesn’t actually peel – it wipes off) for about a year now. The mix of ingredients is amazing – it uses Glycolic Acid to exfoliate the dry skin cells from the top surface layer then it works on the remaining layers to get rid of the dead skin cells so that new ones can take their place. They used botanical extracts that from my research are among the best for skin soothing ingredients. This allows users to use the mask 2x a week (on non-consecutive days).
Mask
Also, add in a hydrating mask 2-3 times per week. I use two masks that are hydrating, a gel mask and a sheet mask. The gel mask I use is called Moisture Renewing Gel Mask. It is very hydrating and I love that I can put it on after my nighttime routine and wear it all night long or I could throw it on for 10 minutes. Bonus: its also anti-aging (help with fine lines and wrinkles) as well as minimize the appearance of your pores. The Bio-Cellulose Mask is one of my faves that I use when my skin needs major hydration and pampering. This is a favorite for when I’m traveling or have a special event or pictures coming up. This is a step up in anti-aging helping lift and firm your skin. This boosts your moisture levels for 24 hours. I feel so pampered after using this. It’s one of the products that makes me feel luxurious after! I definitely recommend adding this year round when you need a boost to your normal skin care routine.
Lip Care
Lip Scrub and Balm – an absolute must have during the winter. Again, I use this all year round but I HAVE to have it during the cooler seasons. My lips are already getting dry and cracking and it’s only October here (and still summer weather). The Shea Sugar Scrub exfoliates with natural sugar crystals to soften and smooth your lips. Then I apply the Shea Butter Balm to moisturize my lips. With jojoba butter (known to mimic oils naturally produced by your body to moisten and protect the skin) and Shea butter (helps retain moisture), it’s like getting a double dose of moisture. This is the best scrub/balm combination I’ve used!
Do you have a go-to lip scrub?
Body Care
Just as we should exfoliate our face, we should also be exfoliating our body. I absolutely love the Satin Lines from Mary Kay – Satin Lips, Satin Hands, and Satin Body. All of them use Shea butter which helps retain moisture. The Satin Body Scrub & Satin Body Wash are always in my shower. I use the Body Wash daily and Scrub usually twice a week (and right before I shave). In the winter, exfoliating the dead skin and hydrating after you bathe does wonders or dry skin. I currently use the Toning Lotion (helping tighten that after-baby skin!) but if I need extra hydration, I use the Shea Body Lotion since it has the Shea Butter in it and it smells heavenly. Be sure to hydrate your skin!
Extras
Nourishing Oil
This has become my newest obsession! Mary Kay launched a Naturally Nourishing Oil and I had to try it! I was a little skeptical at first – I thought “how would my oily skin react?” as I pictured lathering my face with sun bathing oil. But, I’ve been using it for a few weeks and I love it! It is hydrating, lightweight, and absorbs quickly. It also is 100% natural origin ingredients and you can use it on your face, elbows, ends of hair, and cuticles. So versatile! I’ve been mixing it in with my body lotion too. Do you have a Beauty Oil you love? Let me know in the comments!
Foundation Application
This is a universal tip and should be done all year round but especially during the winter. When you apply your foundation, be sure to apply it all the way down your neck as well. Since your head shades your neck, it’s usually the lightest part of your body.
Bronzer & Highlighter
Don’t feel like you have to put the bronzer or highlighters away during the winter either. For bronzer, just have a lighter hand when you apply. As for highlighters, consider switching from a powder to a liquid or cream. Since powders can make you look dryer, opting for a creamier formula will help keep your skin looking dewy.
What are your must have products for winter?
I’m always looking for some new products to try!
And here we insert pictures circa 2013 when my then boyfriend (now husband) and I took a day trip to the mountains to see some snow. First picture is him throwing a snowball at me unexpectedly (although i should have expected it) and the second is me retaliating.
