Winter is a particularly challenging time for our skin. We struggle more often than usual with dryness, roughness, irritation, and redness. To avoid these types of issues and general discomfort, sometimes all it takes is a few changes to our daily skincare routine. In today's post, we'll reveal exactly what we're talking about and which cosmetics are worth exploring right now.
Moisturize your skin from the inside
Skin needs comprehensive care. Unfortunately, external care is sometimes insufficient. Even the most expensive creams won't help if we eat poorly and forget to drink enough water. Especially in winter, ensure your diet is rich in nutrients. It's worth including foods high in B vitamins, which support the production of elastin and collagen fibers. These are found in meat and whole grains, among other foods. Fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) are also crucial, as they help slow water loss from skin cells. Therefore, make sure your daily diet includes fish, especially fatty fish, nuts, oils, olives, and avocados. Don't forget about plenty of vegetables and portions of fruit, as they contain the highest water content, which helps properly hydrate our bodies and improve the appearance of our skin. When it comes to fluids, the most important thing is water, both plain and with the addition of lemon or other unsweetened additives. You can also sip fruit teas, but make sure they're sugar-free. Aim for at least eight glasses of healthy beverages a day. This is the absolute minimum for maintaining healthy skin.
Replace light gel creams with more substantial formulas
It's best to reserve gel-based formulas for the warmer months. They're primarily water-based and truly refresh and soothe the skin in the summer, but in cold temperatures, they're usually too light and don't provide adequate hydration. Gradually, a feeling of tightness begins to appear, and dry patches develop. It's worth exploring creamy formulas, which are richer and more substantial, and contain more nutrients, including oils. They effectively protect our skin, sometimes ensuring comfort even in the harshest weather conditions.
Always remember to use sun protection
Many people still believe that sunscreen is only for summer, when we're lying in the sun on the beach. Nothing could be further from the truth! In winter, especially when the sun is shining, UV rays reflect off the snow and, contrary to popular belief, are just as (or even more) harmful than on hot days. So, when leaving the house, remember to apply sunscreen, as foundation with SPF 15 alone isn't enough. Aim for at least SPF 30, and preferably SPF 50. There's such a wide selection of sunscreens on the market today that you're sure to find your perfect match, one that works both on bare skin and as a good base for makeup. Be kind to your eyes too and wear sunglasses, but not those chain-brand sunglasses, which can do more harm than good. It's better to get a good pair from your optician. A classic model will last you for many years and protect against wrinkles.
Avoid glycerin in hand creams
Glycerin is a very popular ingredient in hand creams, but in winter, it's better to choose cosmetics without it. When you spend a lot of time outdoors in low temperatures, glycerin can harm your skin. How? In cold weather, it can become more solid and hard, leading to micro-damage to the epidermis, cracking, dryness, or irritation. If you experience this problem, and not just with your hands, check the ingredients of your skincare products (including body lotions). This may be the cause of your skin ailments.
Replace cleansing gels with cleansing oils
Cleansing gels, both for the face and body, often contain strong cleansing agents that strip the epidermis of its natural protective barrier. This can lead to irritation, roughness, tightness, and itching. Therefore, replace all such products with gentle cleansing oils. These are equally effective, yet gentle and kind to the skin.
Avoid long, hot baths
A hot bath after returning home on a snowy winter day is a true pleasure and a form of relaxation. However, it's not always kind to our skin. After a walk on a frosty day, it's pleasant to soak in a tub full of hot water. However, remember that a hot bath is not healthy. High temperatures destroy the skin's protective layer and cause moisture to evaporate quickly. This leads to severe dehydration, tightness, and itching of the skin. In winter, it's worth avoiding long soaks in the bathtub and replacing them with quick showers in lukewarm water.
Remember to exfoliate gently
Coarse, sharp-grained peels should wait until spring. In winter, opt for enzymatic formulas or light exfoliating products—acid-based cosmetics—or more professional treatments under the supervision of a specialist. This is the perfect time to tackle blackheads, discoloration, and scars, but it's worth remembering that excessive abrasion of the epidermis, especially one made sensitive by low temperatures, can be damaging. Skin without a protective layer begins to defend itself and produce increased sebum, dehydrates more quickly, becomes irritated, and may also react with breakouts.
Agata Bielecka / AGU – She was supposed to be a teacher, but she became a blogger. She owns a blog available at www.agatabielecka.pl . Known online as Agu, she's passionate about cosmetics and everything related to beauty and self-care. She's obsessed with brushes, eyeshadow, and red lips. In her private life, she's a cat lover, a fan of photography, Scandinavian crime novels, austere interiors, good food, and coffee.
