If you live in a part of the world where it gets cold, you know how damaging cold weather can be to your skin, both on the face and on the body. It becomes dry, flaky, and can even crack, causing pain and itching.


But there are several steps you can take to soothe and protect your face and body. Instead of viewing skin care as a chore, think of it as an opportunity to reset. Listen to music, practice mindfulness, diffuse essential oils or sip tea to get yourself in the right frame of mind, then follow these steps for happy skin in the dark days of winter.



1. Minimize long, hot showers.

  • On a cold day, it's tempting to stay in the warmth of the shower, but hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and uncomfortable. Shorten your shower, use lukewarm water, and apply lotion to damp skin as soon as you step onto your bath mat.

2. Opt for a balm, oil or cream cleanser.

  • Look for a balm, oil, or cream cleanser that is designated for normal to dry skin if your skin appears dry or tight in the winter. Soap, foamy cleansers, products branded for oily skin, and anything containing salicylic acid (found in acne cleansers) should all be avoided because they can strip the skin of its natural oils.


3. Gently exfoliate.

  • If you haven't entirely sloughed off your skin's top layer of dead skin, it will be difficult for skin care to work its magic. (Dead skin is typically the cause of dull skin!) Use a moderate glycolic acid or lactic acid exfoliant a few times a week to reveal a new complexion and help your skin care penetrate.

4. Layer up.

  • Putting your skin care products for added protection against the winter elements is a good idea (and hydration). Begin with the lightest product and work your way up to the most powerful: mist or essence, serum, eye cream, and finally face cream. Finish with sunscreen, even in the winter, because UVA rays are the same power regardless of the season.


5. Swap out your lightweight moisturizer for something richer.

  • In the summer, when your skin is naturally oilier, a light lotion may suffice, but in the winter, you'll need something deeper (just like you need thicker clothes as the temperature cools). Look for a thick cream with ceramides, which seem to be glycoproteins that fill the space between skin cells and strengthen the skin barrier.


6. Humidify your space.

  • Setup a cool-air humidifier in your bedroom, living room, home office, or any other room where you spend the most time and allow it to moisten the air. Also, avoid blasting the heat at all hours of the day, since this will just add to the air's dryness. Irritation and flaking might occur as a result of dry skin caused by dry air.