The coldest season of the year has finally arrived. As the snow starts to pile up and the temperatures start to drop, it’s time to bundle up and start embracing the cold. But before you start wearing heavy winter clothing and getting into your hibernation mode, you should probably make the most of it. Enter: the winter beauty routine!
Cold weather is the perfect time to pamper yourself with a few extra minutes in the shower, a hot cup of tea, and a soft face mask.
From face masks to hair masks, these winter beauty tips will have you looking and feeling your best regardless of the season. Check them out below for some expert advice on how to prepare for the winter season, and stay beautiful all year round!
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Go for the Gloss
If you’re looking for a winter beauty tip that will have you shining bright, glossy and hydrated, the answer is simple: invest in a good moisturizer. According to celebrity facialist Stephanie Taylor, “Cleansing should be the base of your beauty routine.”
Once you’ve washed your face, “the first thing you should do is protect your skin.” This is where a good moisturizer comes into play. Moisturizing your skin isn’t just for dry skin types either, as over-the-counter moisturizers are a great option for combination and oily skin types, too. For oily skin, an oil-free moisturizer is your best bet.
Protect Those Drying Agents
When it comes to winter beauty tips, protecting your skin isn’t just for the summer months! Dry skin is at its most sensitive in the winter, so it’s important to keep it hydrated and nourished.
According to makeup artist and founder of Beauty For Real Kourtneyulic, “Moisturize your skin, even if you don’t have any dry patches.” She continues, “Your skin should be able to breathe, so if it’s getting tight and dry, use a hydrating cream.”
Protecting your skin from the drying effects of the elements means investing in a good moisturizing face cream. If your skin is exceptionally dry, an oily skin-care routine might be in order.
Drying Agents and You
From the outside looking in, it might seem like our skin only dries out in winter, but in actuality, our skin dries out all year round. The difference is that in winter, the dry air in our homes and the cold weather outside can do a number on our skin, causing it to become more dehydrated.
According to dermatologist Dr. Karina Gonzalez, “During the cold and dry winter months, the skin’s oil glands reduce in size and produce less oil, reducing the skin’s natural protection against bacteria and viruses.” That’s why it’s so important to keep your skin well-nurtured with a moisture-rich moisturizer.
Steam It Out
When you’re dealing with dry skin, steaming your face can be a life saver. According to celebrity facialist and Estée Lauder brand ambassador Nikos Papageorgopoulos, “When your skin is dry, the last thing you want to do is sit under a hot steamy shower, so a gentler alternative is to use a steaming facial mask.”
Steaming your face not only helps to open up your pores, but it can also help to reduce redness and flakey skin. Papageorgopoulos recommends using a mask that has a low pH level, around 5, so it doesn’t cause your skin to become too dry.
Protect That Skin
As we spend more and more time in front of screens, our skin is under a lot of stress. According to Dr. Miriam Lewin, “The visible signs of this stress are visible in winter, when our skin’s resistance to infection is lower than in other seasons.”
To help your skin stay strong and healthy during the cold winter months, Dr. Lewin recommends protecting it with a serum. “I recommend using a light oil-free moisturizer in the evening,” she adds.
Get a Mask On
When the cold weather hits, your skin is more likely to flake and dry out, which can lead to dull skin. Dipping your face into a warm bowl of soothing honey can help to reduce the drying effects of the cold air, but it’s important to also use a good face mask. According to celebrity facialist and founder of The Organic Pharmacy Julia Zeinert, “A good face mask can do wonders for your skin.”
Zeinert recommends starting your face mask routine in October and continuing through to April, as “the cold and dry season is the best time to reap the rewards of a face mask.” She recommends using a face mask once a week, preferably on a Sunday, to allow your skin time to recovers and absorb the nutrients from the ingredients.
Staying hydrated
When it comes to staying hydrated in the winter, your best bet is to drink water! While water is essential throughout the year, it’s particularly important to drink water if you live in a cold climate. According to licensed esthetician and founder of Skin Tight Vero Beach, Florida, Lana Rose, “The dehydration that occurs in cold weather is more likely to show up on your face, since your skin will be losing more water under those circumstances, leaving it dry and flaky.” Avoiding drinks with excess sugar and caffeine can also help to prevent dry skin.
Conclusion
Winter can be a difficult season for everyone, but especially for your skin. Fortunately, many of the skin issues that occur during winter are easily prevented and remedied.
It’s important to keep your skin well hydrated, protect it from the elements, and use a good face moisturizer. If you’re facing skin issues this winter, don’t worry! These winter beauty tips will help you look and feel your best.