Antiaging Winter Skin Care - Combatting the Elements

During harsh winter months, you need antiaging winter skin care. Dry winter air can really cause havoc on your skin, hair, and nails. Low humidity is the number one cause of dry skin during the winter months. Winter air can cause dry, scratchy, irritated skin. Another culprit for creating dryness is the amount of clothes we wear during the season.

Layers and layers of heavy clothes can rub your skin and this removes all of the natural oils we have. Natural oils create a barrier between you and the elements. When you remove the barrier, you skin is left susceptible to whatever conditions you’re exposed too. Over time, it can really take a toll.

In the winter,

the heat from your home or

business can have very

dry air, which really

sucks the moisture right

out of your skin.

Some materials too, can irritate skin. Wool is especially harsh to the skin. Because it’s got a coarse texture, it can really be drying to the skin. Other irritants seem to be Angora hair, knit blends, and even some less expensive Cashmere sweaters.

You don't have to spend exorbitant amounts of money protecting and promoting winter skin care. There are some less expensive things you can do that will keep your skin subtle and soft!

Here are some tips to help skin feel more comfortable during winter or anytime the air is dry around you.

Antiaging Winter Skin Care

#1) Wet Skin - Give your skin 30 minutes to dry completely after you’ve bathed or showered, before you go out in the elements. Cold air is especially bad for moist, wet skin. Extreme temperature changes can burst capillaries close to the surface of the skin and make your face look even more red. It is best to help skin by creating an artificial block between you and the dry, cold air. Use moisturizers like crazy during winter months. Moisturizers create a natural barrier between your skin and the elements. You’re skin will thank you when spring hits.

#2) Sunscreen - It is just as important to wear a sunscreen during the winter months as it is in summer months. The temperature of the air doesn't dictate the harsh effects of the sun. In the summer months, heat causes you to sweat, which means that the sunscreen needs to be applied a lot. In winter months however, it is still important to use sunscreen.

Snow is highly reflective and can intensify the sun's rays: 17% on the sand and 80% on the snow. Wear no less that an SPF15 while you're outside and don't forget to apply it to exposed ears. Apply a heavy layer of moisturizing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to the face and hands. philosophy shelter broad spectrum sunscreen for face and body, spf 30 is one broad spectrum that works very well. Other less expensive sunscreens that work well are Bull Frog Superblock 45 and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Mist, SPF 45. Sunscreens will help protect your skin against the harsh elements. It becomes especially important if you will be outside for longer lengths of time. Winter skin care should include sunscreens!

If you still want a tan but don't like the effects of the sun, try sunless tanners to get a great tan. Good inexpensive brands that work well are L'Oreal Sublime Self Tanning Lotion and Coppertone Endless Summer Tanning Lotion. Both of these brands have good reviews and can be bought at your locally or online.

#3) Oils - To help keep your skin satiny smooth this winter, here is a recipe that should help. Mix equal parts of olive, mustard oil and sesame oil and then massage it all over your body. Take an hour or so for yourself and wrap yourself in your favorite bathrobe. Curl up beside the fireplace with a good novel or fix that dish in the kitchen you’ve been putting off making. This combination of oils is very good for the skin and leaves it smooth and free from blemishes. (If you don’t have all of the mentioned oils, just use olive oil. It works fine all by itself:o) Another oil that has good reports for facial skin, is Rosehip oil. Use it to help decrease large facial pore size. Coconut oil too, has been touted for it's antiaging abilities. #4) Air - Heated homes and businesses have very dry air, which only dries out your skin even more. Invest in a humidifier, use potpourri burners, or place bowls of water around your home. It doesn't take a lot of effort to put moisture back into your environment. Winter skin care involves lots of moisture in the air!

#5) Hair - Remember, just as your skin needs more moisture, so does your hair. As your hair tends to be dryer during the winter months, try cutting down on how often you wash your hair. For longer hairstyles, try not to wash your hair more than three times a week. For shorter styles, you can wash more often but be sure to use moisturizing conditioners. Leave in conditioners like Infusium Leave In Conditioner are great this time of year, just for that reason. If your hair is brittle and dry, you may need to use a product like Rescue Conditioner with Protein. To get by without shampooing as often, use a dry shampoo like Psssst and give you hair a break occasionally.

#6) Hands - The number one reason for having chapped hands during winter time, is an overexposure to cold, dry winter air. To keep hands from chapping, be sure you've got a few pairs of good winter gloves. Leather gloves that bend easily keep out harsh elements and are best for winter skin care for hands. Keep them convenient to you by leaving a pair in your car, house, work, and pocketbook. Before you put your gloves on, if you can, apply a good body or hand moisturizing lotion on them. For exceptionally soft hands, apply a heavy moisturizer to your hands and wear gloves overnight. Don’t go outside with damp or wet skin during the winter months either. This leaves you more susceptible to frost bite, which won’t help your skin at all.

#7) Lips - Get rid of dry patches on your lips by using chap stick frequently. If you lick your lips often, apply a layer of anti-wrinkle cream to them. If you are in a habit of licking your lips, this will break the habit. The cream won't hurt you and tastes terrible. Yuck!

During the winter months, stay away from the long lasting or longer wear lipsticks. These can be very drying to the lips. Instead look for creamy lipstick formulations. Use lip gloss every chance you get!

#8) Body - If you've been out in the cold, shed wet clothes and shoes immediately when you get inside. Wet clothes can irritate the skin and may cause a skin rash. Protect winter skin before you expose it to the cold, by using a good protective body lotion all over during winter months. Good winter skin care means getting lotion on every nook and cranny of skin that you can find on your body. Your skin will thank you!

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To go to the next Anti Aging Skin Care page, here's the link: Spring Skin Care – Be the Early Bird!

To view the previous Anti Aging Skin Care page, here's the link: Summer Skin Care – Anti Aging Skin Advice

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