Winter brings with it beautiful landscapes, cozy moments in front of the fireplace and incredible fashion. However, it also poses a significant challenge to our skin. Cold, wind and heating can make the skin dry and lacking vitality. To avoid these effects, it is essential to adapt our skincare routine during the colder months. Here are some practical tips for keeping your skin hydrated and protected during the winter.
Hydration, your best ally
During the winter, cold, dry air draws moisture from our skin, leaving it tight and dull. One of the first steps to follow is to increase skin hydration, both internally and externally. Drinking enough water is essential, even if we don’t often associate it with winter. No matter how cold it gets, your body still needs fluids to stay well hydrated. Supplementing this with the use of proper hydrating creams or serums is key to sealing moisture into the skin.
Opt for creams that are thicker and richer in nutrients than those you use in summer. Ingredients such as shea butter, almond oil or glycerol are ideal for deeply nourishing the skin. Applying them immediately after a shower, when your skin is still damp, can maximize their benefits. It’s the perfect time to give your skin the care it needs.
One of the essential products that should not be missing from your routine is a Concentrated serum with hyaluronic acid. This powerful ingredient has the ability to attract and retain moisture in the skin, making it the perfect ally to combat winter dryness. Hyaluronic acid can keep your skin hydrated for hours, leaving it soft and glowing. Plus, it’s a great complement to any moisturizer you’re using, enhancing its effect. The hyaluronic acid serum can also be applied to hair, which suffers from dryness due to the cold, hydrating and protecting it.
Don’t forget the sunscreen
A common mistake during the winter is to think that the sun protection is not necessary. However, even if you don’t notice it, UV rays are still present and can damage your skin even on cloudy days or when it snows. Prolonged exposure to the sun in winter can cause premature aging and increase the risk of skin blemishes.
Incorporate a broad-spectrum sunscreen into your daily routine, preferably with an SPF of at least 30. This will not only protect your skin from UV rays, but will also help keep it more even and healthy over time. If you don’t want to use a separate product, you can opt for moisturizers that already include sun protection, simplifying the process.
Maintain a gentle exfoliation routine
While exfoliation is key to getting rid of dead skin cells, in winter it’s important to do it in moderation. Over-exfoliating can damage your skin’s natural barrier and increase dryness, so opt for gentle exfoliants no more than once or twice a week. This will help keep your skin soft and glowing without compromising its natural protective barrier.
Be sure to follow the exfoliation with a good moisturizer to nourish your freshly exfoliated skin and avoid any tight feelings. Remember, balance is essential, and in winter, less can be more when it comes to exfoliation.
Special care for the most exposed areas
Some parts of the body such as the lips, hands and neck are more vulnerable to the effects of the cold and tend to suffer more during winter. For this, they require additional care. Apply a lip balm with hydrating ingredients like cocoa butter to avoid dryness and chapping. If you also use a balm with sun protection, you will protect your lips not only from the cold, but also from UV rays, which as already mentioned, can also affect it in winter. Likewise, use an emollient-rich hand cream several times a day, especially after washing, to restore the skin barrier and keep them soft.
When outdoors, don’t forget to wear gloves and scarves to protect these areas from wind and severe cold. Using natural materials like wool or cotton can help retain heat without irritating your skin. These small gestures can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your skin, keeping it hydrated and protected from external aggressions.
Taking care of your skin in winter doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple adjustments to your routine, you can keep it hydrated, soft and protected during the colder months. Always remember to prioritize hydration, use products suited to the season and protect yourself from the sun’s rays, even when it seems like it’s not necessary. Your skin will thank you for it and you will feel much more comfortable as the temperatures drop.
