Mr. Punxsutawney Phil declared six more weeks of winter, so let’s make sure our skin doesn’t flake off, shall we? Sometimes there isn’t a whole lot to do other than wait out the worst of the weather, but there are solutions that definitely make an impact. Here are my favorites.
FACE
Cleanse
Delicate face skin always gets the worst winter treatment from exposure, so I like to take extra care with cleansing. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with most oil cleansers, but THIS ONE removes all the gunk from my skin without stripping it or leaving a residue while THIS CLEANSER is an amazing value.
Sheet Masks
Once skin is clean and if I have the time, I love to pack in as much hydration as possible with a sheet mask. Apply any serums first, then the sheet mask to lock everything in, then remove it after about 20 minutes, then apply moisturizer. THIS SHEET MASK is a sensational pick with great ingredients.
Occlusive Products
Finally, you’ve probably heard of occlusives by now. If not, it’s basically something that creates a barrier between your skin and the elements. Aquaphor is a long-time favorite, so is Vaseline. The problem is they can also clog and irritate your skin. Still, they work, so here are two ways to use them.
First, use an occlusive before cold outdoor activities. Going for a run or taking your pups for a walk? Topping areas like cheeks and nose with a little Aquaphor acts like a gooey glove. Just make sure to (gently) cleanse skin ASAP.
Another way to bolster your skin’s barrier is to use some of the market’s new healing creams. I’ve used THIS ONE for a while, and just purchased THIS new launch today (I have a feeling it will be amazing). These are meant to be more restorative while also offering a little protection, and I swear by them.
BODY
Lotion
I’m always shocked when people tell me they don’t apply body lotion. It really doesn’t take much time, it has so many benefits (including soft skin and anti-ageing), and if you find the right formula for you you don’t have to deal with a greasy residue.
Since an unscented body lotion is great for anti-irritation as well as not mixing with your perfume, THIS ONE has been my go-to for years - even in the summer.
I like to apply it to slightly damp skin right out of the shower to help it soak in quicker. If something like this is too heavy for you, there are several lighter versions as well, like THIS ONE.
Body Oil
If you just cannot do a lotion, maybe try a dry body oil like THIS ONE. I love it and the scent - in fact I recently ordered my third bottle - and just a few spritzes after a shower hydrate without sitting on the skin like a traditional body oil.
Another way to use body oil is as an occlusive. You can really seal in moisture from you body lotion by topping it with a fine mist of dry oil.
My favorite trick in winter is to hydrate twice a day. I know this seems like overkill, but it’s the best way for me to keep skin plump when it’s just soooo cold. Let’s say you shower in the morning, add a little oil to dry skin before bed to wake up with glowing, healthy limbs.
HAIR
We can’t forget about the tresses when the temperature drops. I’ve already covered my own journey plus outlined several ways to protect your hair in THIS BLOG POST.
FINAL TOUCHES
I’ve been trying to find a pithy way to sign off of these blog posts.
In makeup, “final touches” are EVERYTHING. Especially if your client is walking a red carpet or getting married, she or he leaves your makeup chair and that’s the last time you’ll see them. So final touches are necessary to make sure everything has reached its ultimate potential!
For today, I hope you’ve picked up a few tips to help your skin stay healthy this winter. My husband and I are working next to each other right now; he’s bundled in a hoodie and I’m in a heavy sweater and Ugg boots despite the heat blasting!
Until Spring breaks, which, according to that dang groundhog isn’t for several weeks, stay warm.