Simple Winter Skin Care Tips For Better Skin

Winter is great for snuggling on the sofa in front of a nice warm log fire. It's a great time for wrapping up warm and going for walks in the fresh winter air. Winter is also a perfect time to try out your favourite hot bubble bath. The not so great part about winter is the damage all the cold weather does to your skin and also your indoor heating can cause damage. The contrast of cold and warm air and the constant temperature changes associated with winter can suck the moisture away from our skin, leaving skin dry, sensitive, itchy and prone to cracking. People who have sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea are particularly affected. In winter i personally suffer really bad with cracked lips because they are so plump. In mornings i can barely move my lips until i have reached for the lip balm. I also suffer in winter from dry skin. My favourite two skin care brands that i like to use are Nivea and Simple. I find that they don't irritate sensitive skin and are lovely to put on your face. The thick and cooling texture of Nivea is lovely to put on after you have had a bath. Simple is also a great brand to use at any time of the day it doesn't have any scent to it and i also like to use it as a makeup remover and light moisturiser. The best part about these brands are not only are they the best for me and my dry skin type, they are also the cheapest and well known, so that is an extra benefit!

Here are some tips that have worked for me for looking after my skin in winter:

1) Hydrate your body from the inside. Drink lots of water (try to keep too many caffeinated drinks at bay as they tend to dehydrate you.)

2) Protect your lips. Lips also need to be protected, as they are easily prone to cracking and bleeding. If you are a cold sore sufferer looking after your lips will help you in the cold weather. Using lip balm or vaseline is a most. Don't bother spending money on expensive lip balms. Vaseline is cheap and works better than some lip balms.

3) Always use a sunscreen. Don't think the suns rays won't harm you just because it's winter. UV rays from the sun are powerful at any time of the year. During snowy areas the suns rays can be particularly high and glaring. Use an SPF 30+ on any exposed skin, before you go out. Sunscreens also act as good environmental protection too.

4) Protect your hands. In the winter I can get chill blains in my fingers and hands if I do not wear gloves, these can sometimes feel like paper cuts and be painful. Always wear gloves when you are out and about, wear thicker ones when there is snow laid on the ground. Also wearing gloves sometimes isn't always enough, so try applying a good hand cream after washing your hands. If your hands are chapped, apply a good thick layer and let it absorb overnight and soak into your skin. Our hands (like our feet) do not produce as much oil as other as parts of our body, so they need the added moisture..

5) Eat foods that are rich in essential fatty acids. Oily fish, nuts and seeds are the types of foods that will provide you with the essential fatty acids that your body can't make on its own.

6) Make sure your bath or shower is not too hot. Have a warm bath or shower. Don't have a hot bath because hot water can remove the natural oils from your skin very quickly.

7) Moisturise your skin straight after a bath/shower. This is because moisturisers act as a seal that traps moisture in and prevents water loss. If you moisturise whilst your skin is still slightly damp it will trap in any moisture before it evaporates.

8) Avoid harsh soaps. I personally don't use soap, I find that it dries my skin out and makes it flaky. Try using a non-alkaline, moisturising cleansing wash, that contains oils to protect your skin.

9) Select skin friendly fabrics. We all know the good old woolly jumper is going to keep us all nice and warm, but they can be irritating and exacerbate dry, itchy skin. If you can try and wear natural fibre layers such as cotton and silk that will allow the skin to breathe and help you to avoid overheating and sweating. Don't forget if you are going outdoors wear gloves to protect your hands from the bitter, cold winds. As this can cause chill blains. If your clothes get wet in the rain, remove them straight away (especially socks and gloves) as they can irritate the skin.

10) Use a humidifier in your home or office. Or you could place bowls of water on the radiators. This process helps to add some moisture to the air. Do this in the rooms where you spend the most of your time.

Wrap up warm, look after your skin and enjoy the winter months. :-)