Did you know your skin is your biggest organ? Your skin protects you and is the first thing people see when they look at you. So it is your responsibility to protect it. The cold, often dry, air of winter can hurt it, leaving you very uncomfortable. Here are 10 ways you can protect it through the winter months.
- Moisturize daily. Use a petroleum or cream-based moisturizer as opposed to a lotion and apply daily after your bath or shower.
- Limit hot baths and showers. On a cold day, it may sound like a good idea to take a really hot bath, but the truth is actually counter-intuitive. A hot shower or bath will actually dry out your skin more, so take them luke-warm.
- Limit baths and showers altogether. Cleaning your skin too often will remove natural moisturizers from the surface, so take short showers and avoid harsh cleansers.
- Use a humidifier. You may already have one because it makes breathing easier when you catch a winter cold. Humidifiers are not only good for your sick lungs, they are also good for your skin.
- Protect yourself from the wind. Nothing can dry skin faster than some dry, cold winter wind.
- Avoid extreme cold. If you are outside and your skin changes color or it is extremely painful followed by numbness, seek medical attention because you might have frostbite.
- Protect yourself from the sun, too. The sun is not only a danger when it is hot outside. You can get a sunburn in the winter, too. Look for an SPF of 15 or greater if you plan to be outside for any extended period of time.
Caring for your skin in winter time is an important seasonal job. With these tips, you can keep your skin moisturized and feeling and looking great all year around.
