carbon world health blog.jpg

6 Winter Skin Care Tips

Posted by Ashley Greer
winter skin care tips

Winter is a particularly difficult season for your skin. Outdoor weather in the winter is harsh, and wind and cold temperatures take a toll on your skin. Indoor climate control can be overly drying, and constantly transitioning between the two temperature extremes puts extra strain on your delicate skin. Winter can also be a stressful time of year, with lots of parties and holiday activities, and many people are prone to winter blues. All these factors can work together to make your skin look dull and dry, or red and inflamed. It's important to take extra precautions with your skin in the wintertime, to protect it and look your best.

Here are essential winter skin care tips for everyone:

Wear sunscreen. Just because it's winter, doesn't mean that the sun's rays aren't still damaging to the skin. UVA rays not only penetrate clouds in the sky, but windows in your home, so they can reach and damage deep layers of your skin all year long. A sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection is essential all year long.

Use moisturizer. Winter is especially drying on the skin, so daily moisturizing is important. During the day, a moisturizer with sunscreen can do double-duty, but remember to re-apply it during prolonged exposure. Moisturize again at night to give your skin time to absorb the nutrients. If you are prone to dry skin, you may want to boost your moisture routine by adding a skin nourishing serum.

Wash in lukewarm water. Temperature extremes aren't good for the skin, and the winter season is particularly stressful for that reason. Extreme temperature shifts irritate the skin, and can even lead to broken blood vessels. Using lukewarm water to wash your face helps to clean the skin and even out the tone, without adding more harshness and stress.

Stay hydrated. Like sunscreen, hydration is a must year-round. During winter, many people neglect drinking as much water as they should, because their impulse is to drink hot beverages like coffee and cocoa. But winter weather has less humidity and more skin drying effects, and you can't have healthy skin without adequate water, providing moisture from the inside out. Try drinking warm or hot water with a squeeze of lemon to keep your hydration on track in cold weather. 

Reduce exfoliation. Exfoliation is important, but in the winter, when skin is already so prone to stress and irritation, it's easy to go overboard. Use milder scrubs, reduce frequency to only once or twice a week, and focus on treating your skin gently.

Stay on track with healthy eating. Not only can holidays and seasonal events throw off your healthy eating habits, but we instinctively stock up on warm, rich, comfort food in colder months. While over-indulgence is natural in winter, make sure to keep your diet varied and include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables to nourish your skin. Consider adding a Vitamin D supplement to maintain your health and provide energy during months of reduced sun exposure. In northern climates, even if your skin is exposed to winter sunlight regularly, the sun doesn't have enough UVB rays for natural vitamin D production.

Winter is a good time to pamper your skin instead of punishing it, so reduce harsh scrubs, hot water, and drying toners, and focus on gentle products, healing moisture, and moderate temperatures. Consider treating yourself to a facial or skin care treatment to counteract winter's harsh effects and keep your glow all year long.

Subscribe

  • Share this article:

Related Articles

The 6-Week Carbon Xperience: The Comprehensive Program that Takes Health, Fitness, and Beauty into Account

The 6-Week Carbon Xperience: The Comprehensive Program that Takes Health, Fitness, and Beauty into Account

If you've been struggling to break through a plateau or stay on track with your fitness and health, it's time to try something new. Here is a comprehensive and seamless program to help you start on your journey or get you back on track.

New to Carbon World Health: Platelet Rich Plasma and SkinPen Facial

New to Carbon World Health: Platelet Rich Plasma and SkinPen Facial

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a beauty treatment that is growing in popularity. In fact, PRP facelift reviews have been received from high profile actors and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian. The PRP facial uses growth factors from your blood platelets at high concentration to restore a youthful glow to your skin. Through stimulation of your...

Give Your Eyes a Lift with Upneeq

Give Your Eyes a Lift with Upneeq

Say Goodbye to Tired Eyes

Are your eyes looking a little tired? You're not alone - most of us could use a little help in looking alert. Aging, lack of sleep, or even a medical condition called Ptosis can contribute to droopy eyelids. Most people don't know that there's a quick and easy way to lift your eyes without surgery or expensive creams!...

Start Your Intense Pulsed Light Therapy This Fall

Start Your Intense Pulsed Light Therapy This Fall

Leaves are starting to fall, temperatures are dropping, and people are lining up for their Pumpkin Spice Lattes and IPL treatment.

Adult-Onset Acne: Out, Out Damn Spot!

Adult-Onset Acne: Out, Out Damn Spot!

We usually think of acne as a problem for teenagers and as teens, we look forward to growing out of it. But for some people, acne can persist even into middle age. And for still others, they can develop an acne problem in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, even if they didn't have acne as a teen. Frustratingly, many of the treatments that are successful in...