Luminous skin is a key beauty goal for people of all ages and genders. Skin health can make a massive difference to our mental health and confidence. Unfortunately, during the winter months, it is not uncommon for people to experience skincare issues such as dry or sensitive skin. Our skin is most sensitive, particularly as it is constantly exposed to the elements.
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So it’s important to take steps to keep your skin healthy over the winter months. Some are just tweaks to your regular skincare routine that can truly make all the difference to having luxuriously luminous skin throughout the winter.
Skin health: Stay hydrated
Hydration can do wonders for your skin, and during the winter months, it is a lot easier for your skin to get dehydrated. If left for too long, this can lead to itching, sensitivity and even pain. Drinking plenty of water can be an excellent way to mitigate this and leave your skin glowing and gorgeous.
Remind yourself to drink plenty of water and juice by filling up a water bottle to take with you for the day. It is also best to limit your alcohol intake, as this can result in dehydration, leaving your skin looking less than luscious.
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Use an ultra-hydrating moisturiser
The colder months are an ideal time to switch up your skincare regimen, given that our skin has different needs during the winter. Typically, a heavier moisturiser is needed during the winter to combat chapping and dry skin from exposure to the elements. In addition, having the heating on in our homes can dry out the moisture in the air, which dries out our skin in turn. A heavier moisturiser can combat these changes, ensuring your skin remains lush and hydrated.
Skin health: Keep applying a high SPF
A common mistake many make in the winter months is to forgo their SPF. The harmful rays of the sun can cause damage to our skin all year round, no matter how weak the sunlight might feel during the day. You should put SPF on any area of the body that will get a lot of sunlight, with particular care taken on the face and hands. Look for specialised SPF for the more delicate areas like around the eyes and the lips.
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Use a facial massage tool
Massaging the face increases blood flow and can instantly make your skin look brighter and reduce puffiness. You can use your hands to massage your face, but this can have the downside of transferring bacteria and dirt from your hands to the delicate skin on your face. A facial massage tool can be an ideal solution and one that you can easily clean after each use. Choose an option with a smooth massaging roller to prevent any damage or pain from the tool dragging on your skin.
Exfoliate every few days
Exfoliation is a crucial step in any skincare routine, but it must be done in moderation. Over-exfoliating can lead to damage and a loss of the natural oils in the skin that help make it look soft and lush. Exfoliating every few days is ideal, as this will clear away dead skin and dirt that may accumulate without damaging the skin’s delicate balance.
Take your makeup off at the end of the day
We’ve all been guilty of jumping into bed without thoroughly taking off our makeup, particularly after a long day or a night out. Doing so consistently can cause damage and irritation, particularly in the soft and delicate skin around the eyes. You should always aim to remove makeup fully using a gentle makeup remover so that your skin can breathe overnight and not become irritated by makeup products.
Develop a routine for winter occurring skin conditions
Some people experience skin conditions that flare up over the winter months and ease off during summer. Issues like rosacea and psoriasis can flare up during the colder months, so it is crucial to know how to deal with these specific skin complaints. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend skincare products for your particular concern or check out the excellent information on psoriasis and other skincare issues from the experts at Patient.info.
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Skin health: Try overnight treatments
When your skin needs extra TLC over the winter, you can’t go wrong with overnight treatments. Many of the more hydrating skin care products benefit from staying on for longer stretches, which isn’t always achievable when you have a full and busy day ahead. Choosing a few overnight treatments gives you the chance to get intense hydration and nourishment throughout the night, leaving your skill looking incredible come morning.
Keep up with your exercise regimen
Keeping your skin gorgeous over the winter requires you to keep your body fit and healthy too. Exercise can give your skin a healthy glow, so don’t let up on the exercise just because the weather is colder. If you hate going out for a run in the winter, consider investing in an at-home treadmill or exercise bike so you can exercise in comfort no matter the weather. You can also try doing home-based exercises like yoga classes, weight training and pilates from home.
Skin health: Make an effort not to touch your face
People touch their faces hundreds of times a day, often without realising they’re doing it. For some, it can even be a form of self-soothing, but the reality is that touching your face is not great for your skin. When you touch your face, you transfer dirt, germs and bacteria from your fingers onto the delicate skin of your face, which can result in acne and other skincare concerns.
If you are struggling with acne scars, it is essential to find products specifically designed to address this issue. Using the right products can help diminish the appearance of acne scars and promote healing. So, if you are wondering what products help with acne scars, consider researching and incorporating creams, serums, or treatments that contain ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or glycolic acid for effective results.
Breaking the habit of touching your face can be difficult, and if you do need to touch your face for any reason, you should wash your hands thoroughly beforehand. Some things you can do to stop yourself from touching your face include wearing gloves to make you more aware of the habit, keeping your hands busy with a fidget or stress toy, and wearing a face mask to physically prevent yourself from touching your face.
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Improve your sleep quality
When we don’t get enough sleep, the results can often be seen in our skin. Puffiness, sagging, and under-eye bags can all be exacerbated by poor sleep, so finding ways to improve your sleep quality is essential. You’ll need to ensure your sleep environment is suited to a peaceful night’s rest, which means keeping chores and work out of the space.
It can also help to put away your electronic devices in the hours before you sleep so that the blue light emanated doesn’t interfere with your natural sleep rhythm. A good sleep schedule can be invaluable to help you get quality sleep, so ensure you go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day.
Avoid overly hot showers
There’s nothing like a hot shower on a cold winter’s day, particularly after coming in from the cold outdoors. While it might feel incredible at the time, hot showers can have seriously negative consequences for your skin. Hot water strips away the natural oils in your skin, which can lead to damage. It is best to warm up first before having a warm or lukewarm shower so that your skin will remain soft and healthy afterwards.
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I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
But I love writing about cars – check that, luxury cars, a level of superior, engineering sophistication, high performance and style, that transports you not just from one destination to another but also out of whatever you are going through on a particular day, whatever mood you are in, all to another head space. It’s complete and total exhilaration, head to toe.
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