1. Take a cold shower. Scalding hot showers and baths are tempting in the wintertime, but they can strip your body of its natural oils, which can lead to dry skin. A shockingly cold shower may not be the most comfortable experience, so try lowering the temperature little by little until your body adjusts.
2. Tone it down. During the winter months, avoid further irritation and dryness by limiting (or eliminating) the use of harsh skincare products, including alcohol-based toners or astringents, rough exfoliants and facial peels.
3. Stay dry. If you’re out playing in the snow, remember to stay as dry as possible, and remove all wet clothing immediately when you get home. Wet gloves, socks, hats or other articles of clothing can cause uncomfortable itching and irritation.
4. Use protection. Even when it’s freezing cold, the sun’s rays can still cause sunburn, which can lead to dry, cracked and peeling skin. What’s more, sunlight reflecting off of snow can be extremely strong. If you’re going to be outside, use sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF protection ““ no matter what the weather forecast calls for.
5. Beat the heat. While you’re snuggled up all warm in your bed, your heater is busy stripping away all of your skin’s natural moisture. Before you go to sleep, be sure to generously apply moisturizer to any areas prone to dryness ““ including your hands, elbows, feet, knees and face.
6. Make it natural. Beware of cleansers, moisturizers and other skincare products that include chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate or mineral oil, as they can further dry out your skin. Instead, look for skincare products with naturally moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, olive oil or jojoba oil.