The winter cold can be brutal on your skin. It’s not unusual to feel as if the skin that you’ve worked on all year, suddenly feels like sandpaper and looks wrinkled and dry. In fact, it may be so bad that you may even develop dandruff –which is basically dry flaky skin- on the scalp. 

Apart from the weather, your dry skin is usually caused by the body trying to protect itself. What happens is, during the winter, your body does a great job of retaining as much warmth as possible. To do this, it has to narrow the blood vessels. Which in turn affects the rate of blood flow to the skin.  

This is why you need to be proactive and get in front of it by using proven winter skincare routines to defeat the dryness. However, remember that what worked during the summer isn’t going to work in the winter because of the two factors earlier mentioned. Here are some proven skincare routines that will help keep your skin looking radiant and supple this winter. 

Avoid Drying Out the Skin

It’s moral to want to take warm or hot baths during the winter, seeing as it’s cold and no one wants to freeze to death in the bathroom. Unfortunately, hot water strips the skin of the natural oils that keeps the moisturized. This dries out the skin and leaves it looking less than optimal. 

However, if you can, try taking cold or lukewarm showers. It’s difficult, but it does amazing stuff for your skin as it retains the natural oils. If you can’t take cold or lukewarm showers, another tip that can help protect the skin is moisturizing your skin right after your bath. 

So, instead of completely drying your skin with a towel, you can either apply your lotion or dab the skin slightly dry with your towel and then apply the cream. This will help lock in the moisture that’s still on your skin and keep it looking great in the process. 

Hydrate and Moisturize a Lot 

Start by washing your face with hydrating cleansers, then use moisturizing soaps like Dove. These contain moisturizers and do not strip your skin of natural oils. These are amazing in the sense that if you decide not to use anything afterward, they will offer some level of protection but that’s not enough. 

Once you’re done having your bath, use SPF 15+ or sunscreen creams or lotions too. As a rule, use heavier creams and lotions in the winter. This way, the cold won’t dry out your skin. Then drink a lot of water. The skin needs lots and lots of water during the winter season. For those looking for an advanced skincare solution, Activated You Essential Skin Food offers a blend of potent ingredients designed to nourish and rejuvenate the skin.

Ironically, most people don’t drink a lot of water during the winter because it’s cold and they don’t necessarily feel thirsty. Well, the cold dry air should encourage you to drink a lot of water. This will keep your skin and body hydrated for much longer.

Exfoliation is Your Friend

If you weren’t using exfoliating soaps and loofa mitts, now is the time to do it. These will help exfoliate your skin of dead skin cells, unclog your pores, tighten your skin, and reveal the new layer of skin underneath. 

This, combined with the application of moisturizers, will have your skin looking shiny and radiant. Frequent exfoliation also helps reduce signs of spots, scars, and hyperpigmentation. If you do it well enough, you’ll find that your skin will look clear and flawless. 

Deal With Cellulite

If you have stretch marks, this is the best time to work on them. This way, they would’ve faded by the time it’s summer. If your stretch marks are pregnancy-induced, you should specifically learn how to reduce the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy. 

This way, when you finally put to bed, you either won’t have any stretch marks or they won’t be so obvious. The point is to ensure that come summer, you’ll be able to wear a bikini to the beach or suntan in any public place without being worried about the appearance of cellulite on your skin. 

Some examples of oils and creams that can combat stretch marks include argan oils and creams, Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum cream, Majestic Pure Anti-cellulite cream, and Clarins BodyFit Anti-Cellulite creams. 

Another excellent solution is regular exercise targeting those areas of the body. Sometimes, simply firming up the muscles around those areas can make the stretch marks less visible. 

Don’t Forget Your Scalp

It’s easy to forget the scalp when you’re busy trying to nourish your skin. Yet, the scalp suffers a lot from the winter. This is when dandruff is most common due to the dry, flaky skin on the scalp. 

Use anti-dandruff shampoos during the wintertime. This both hydrates and clears the scalp of dandruff. Do it as frequently as you need to –we recommend once a week at the very least- and leave it in for a bit before rinsing it off. 

This will help activate the shampoo’s ingredients, allowing them to work for longer at eliminating those deal cells, while also protecting the scalp through hydration. 

Eat a Lot of Fruits

Fruits are excellent for nourishing your body and skin. This is because they contain vital minerals and nutrients that your regular meal lacks. In fact, this is one of the reasons why dermatologists often say that you can tell the state of an individual’s health by looking at their skin. 

If you’re getting adequate essential nutrients, your skin will glow. So, now is the time to eat your vegetables and eat your fruits. These nutrients will build up in your body and improve your skin health. 

Use Your Lip Balm

It is a given that chapped, dry lips and the winter go together. Chapped, cracked, and dry lips don’t look good on anyone. This is why you need to consistently have your lip balm handy.

If you can’t get a proper lip balm, just pack a small Vaseline jar. This does a great job of moisturizing and protecting your lips. If you want to buy a lip balm, look for those containing one or more of the following essential oils: jojoba oil, coconut oil, almond oil, wheat oil, cottonseed oil, or shea butter. These offer incredible protection for your lips.