As excited as I am to celebrate all things fall and winter, the holiday months also bring colder weather – and cold weather isn’t really the best thing for our complexion. It can cause our skin to be dull, dry, flaky, red and inflamed, so it’s important to step up our skincare routine in these upcoming months and swap our lightweight summer favorites for something more heavy-duty. Here are 8 skincare tips for that’ll keep your skin plump, glowing and moisturized, even in cold weather.
Try a thicker moisturizer
The first and easiest thing you can do to transition your skincare from summer to fall and winter is to swap out your moisturizer. Lightweight, oil-free moisturizers are a summer beauty must-have but the colder months call for something heavier that will add and lock in the moisture. This time of year, I like to use a thick moisturizer during the day and a heavy night cream before bed. Pick products with hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of moisture!
Avoid products with fragrance and alcohol
Products with fragrance and alcohol can make itchy and dry skin even worse. Fragrance is a blend of aromatic extracts from both natural and synthetic ingredients that’s used in A LOT of beauty products. It can easily and unknowingly irritate your skin so I like to avoid it the best I can, especially in the colder months when my skin is even more vulnerable. Although alcohol does help fight bacteria, it can slo strip your skin of moisture, drying out your skin and making issues like acne even worse. Dry skin is one of the main things we’re trying to avoid this time of year, so I like to stay clear of any beauty products that contain alcohol.
Eat more healthy fats
Eating foods high in fats helps maintain supple and youthful skin. Healthy fats are found in foods like avocados, nuts and fish – and they’re essential for keeping your skin looking healthy and preventing it from drying out. An easy way to incorporate healthy fats into your diet is by taking omega-3 supplements. It’s been proven that omega-3 can help improve eczema! They help maintain a healthy cell membrane, which allows cells to hold more water, creating a healthy barrier that supports softer and more supple skin.
If you haven’t already, definitely check out the best foods for healthy skin year-round here!
Keep wearing SPF
Just because it’s not hot out doesn’t mean UV rays don’t exist! It’s a common myth that you don’t have to use SPF in the fall and winter. Despite the temperature drop, UV rays can still be extremely strong and damaging to the skin, especially when it reflects off the snow. Remember to keep wearing SPF on your face, neck, hands and anything else that’s exposed! It’s an easy anti-aging trick that will help keep your skin from drying out.
Moisture your hands
Hands are usually an overlooked area that show signs of aging and don’t get a ton of love. They’re high risk for becoming dry, cracked and chapped in the colder months, especially as we’re frequently washing our hands to steer clear of the cold, flu, COVID-19 and any other germs. Wearing gloves while you clean or wash up will help protect your hands. On top of moisturizing after I wash my hands, I also like to apply a rich layer of hand cream before I go to bed to help rebuild my skin barrier.
Invest in a humidifier
A humidifier is an easy way to boost your hydration at home. Whenever the air is dry and lacks moistures, it draws moisture from wherever it can – and sometimes it’ll be from your skin. Incorporating a humidifier into your skincare routine will counteract the drying air, making moisture less likely to evaporate from your skin. I like to go through my skincare routine within 3 minutes of using a humidifier to lock in the moisture.
Choose your accessories carefully
Big cozy scarves and beanies are one of my favorite go-to accessories for fall and winter – but it’s important to choose them carefully. A lot of knitted accessories can be uncomfortable, irritating and itchy when you wear them directly next to your skin. To avoid irritated skin and scalp during the colder months, wear items made from natural and breathable materials. This will help better circulate air and reduct heat build-up in one place, which can also add to the irritation.
Make sure you’re regularly cleaning your jackets and scarves! If you start to notice more acne around the jawline and neck, it’s usually because of dirty scarves and jacket collars that are constantly touching and rubbing against your skin.
Dry brush
Lymphatic drainage is a must-do in my beauty routine – and dry brushing is an easy at-home DIY. It stimulates the lymphatic system, supports detoxification and removes dead skin cells to unclog and decongest skin, which will help it absorb more nutrients. I love dry brushing year-round, but it’s a good habit to keep up throughout the colder montsh!
How do you like to take care of your skin in the colder months? I’d love to hear your skincare tips!
