(ARA) – It may seem as though summer is the season for skin care woes, with all the sun, sand, sweat and pool chlorine you expose your skin to during the warm months. But the dry, cold winter weather can also affect skin health – unless you take some seasonal steps to protect your skin.
Before you step out the door to walk to work, hit the slopes or just hang out with your kids at the park, keep in mind these winter skin care “dos” and “don’ts.”
* Moisturize – You probably moisturize in the spring and summer, but winter weather calls for something different. Look for a moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based. The oil in the moisturizer will create a layer of protection for your skin, helping it retain more moisture. Choose healthy oils, such as mineral, almond or avocado. Moisturize every day, applying the moisturizer under your makeup as a base.
* Continue to wear sunscreen. Winter sun may seem less intense than at other times of the year, but it’s still strong enough to damage unprotected skin. Snow glare can magnify the sun’s effects. Choose sunscreens with high SPF, that work for both UVA and UVB rays. And reapply sunscreen frequently if you’ll be outside for a while – just as you would in summer.
* Wear gloves to protect the sensitive skin on your hands, and lip balm to keep your lips from becoming chapped.
* Be aware of how the clothing you put on can affect your skin, especially during winter. If you already suffer from dry or sensitive skin, choosing laundry products that are dye and perfume free – like Tide Free & Gentle, Downy Free & Sensitive, Bounce Free & Sensitive and Tide Stain Release Free – can help reduce your skin’s exposure to these potential irritants. Tide Free & Gentle, Downy Free & Sensitive, and Bounce Free & Sensitive are all dermatologist-tested products that will clean and soften clothes just as well as other products.
* Use a humidifier in your home, especially if your heat is forced air. More moisture in the air can help prevent your skin from drying out.
What to avoid
* Don’t walk around in wet socks, shoes or gloves. Being cold and wet can cause skin to itch, crack or even develop sores. If you’ll be out in the snow and there’s a chance your socks or gloves will get wet, take a spare pair of each to change into.
* Postpone facial peels, and drop alcohol-based astringents or toners from your beauty routine. Winter air is harsh enough on your skin, without adding chemicals that can further dry it out.
* Avoid showering or bathing in very hot water. And trim the time you’re in the shower or bath. Very hot water can actually cause your skin to dry out, and so can lingering in water too long.
* Finally … don’t lick your lips. While your instinctive reaction to lips that feel dry or chapped might be to lick them so they’ll stay moist, this actually dries lips. The saliva evaporates quickly from your warm lips and takes their internal moisture with it. Reach for lip balm instead.