The winter calls for snuggling by the fire with hot chocolate and your best friends. It calls for cute boots and puffy jackets. It calls for the holiday spirit and being surrounded by loved ones. But- it also calls for taking extra care of ourselves. Beauty care becomes much more important when the weather gets cold. But that goes beyond just adding a thicker moisturizer to your skincare routine, there are a few more things to change in your beauty routine this winter:
Don’t over-exfoliate
When our skin gets dry and flakey like it often does in the winter, the first thing we want to do is exfoliate it all off. Yikes- not a good idea. Over exfoliating can make your skin even drier by stripping it of its natural oils and can even lead to breakouts. Stick to exfoliating once or twice a week- not every day, and make sure to use moisturizing cleansers! You shouldn’t be using the same cleanser that might be stripping off the oils you need this season.
Try winter-specific formulas, like MONAT Be Gentle Creamy Cleanser specifically for dry and sensitive skin or MONAT Be Balanced Foamy Cleanser. Both lift off dirt and grime while preserving the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Keep your lips moisturized
One of the first telltale signs that our beauty routine is slacking is chapped lips. Not only are chapped lips unattractive to look at, but they also can be really painful and annoying. You’ll probably have to swap out your light chapstick for a thicker and more hydrating lip treatment in the winter and generously apply throughout the day. And don’t forget to invest in a lip scrub! That will be a lifesaver in the winter months. Try the HydroPeptide LipLock Hydrator, a powerful overnight lip mask filled with meadowfoam seed oil to adjust hydration, as well as avocado and jojoba oils to lock moisture in.
Avoid steaming hot showers
I know- this one is heartbreaking. I mean, isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do after being in the cold all day is to jump into a steaming hot shower? Although a shower so hot it feels like it’s burning your skin might feel comforting, it’s not great for you. Too hot showers can actually dehydrate your skin and strip it of its natural oils, leading to dry and flakey skin.
Moisturize every day
And I don’t just mean moisturize your face (like you should do all year long), I mean moisturize your entire body, every day. It might feel tedious at first, but moisturizing your body every day will replenish the moisture in your skin and keep your body soft throughout the cold winter months. Set a few minutes out after a shower to spend moisturizing your body and you’ll be thankful in the long run. Go the extra mile with hydrating masks this season too. Try the G.M. Collin Aqua Mask with Polynesian Water Microorganisms that drench your face with intense hydration when all the elements are working against you. For the body, use a formula specifically for dry and sensitive skin to ensure you don’t stress it out more. Our favorite is the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Nude Cream.
Keep an eye on what fabrics you’re wearing
Our skin is more prone to irritation in the winter, meaning we have to keep an eye on the type of fabric our clothes are made out of that could possibly lead to more irritation. Harsh fabrics like polyester, nylon, and spandex can irritate the skin, while softer fabrics like cotton and linen are much more gentle.
Wear sunscreen
Only needing sunscreen in the summer is the biggest myth of the beauty world. Just because the weather gets cold and the sun doesn’t look like it’s out doesn’t mean you’re off the hook with applying sunscreen. You should wear sunscreen all year long, even on rainy and cloudy days. The sun can damage your skin at any time of the year and lead to wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
Take care of your hair
Dry and brittle hair is another telltale sign that your beauty routine is slacking in the winter. There are a few ways you can avoid brittle winter hair and keep your locks luscious all year long. Avoid using heated styling tools as often in the winter as heat leads to breakage and split-ends. Also, never go outside with wet hair as that can dry your hair out, lead to breakage, and even cause dyed hair to fade quicker.
