Do You Have Winter Skin Irritation? Learn How to Fix It.

Skin irritation due to winter weather is never any fun, but it can also be really frustrating to try and eliminate.

Colder weather means less moisture in the air which can really negatively affect your skin and hair. The extra dryness in the air causes your skin to become more dehydrated than it would normally be. Coupled with the sudden drop in temperature and the harsh gusts of wind (depending on where you live), it’s a recipe for itchy, dry, and irritated skin.

Also, you tend to take hotter showers during the winter, which makes sense because no one wants freeze before they’re done bathing.

And don’t forget, heavy winter clothes are often made of materials like wool and polyester which are warm and notoriously fast-drying. This can also dry out your skin, so be cautious and know that what you bundle up with might also be contributing to your dry skin woes.

The secret to surviving the winter is actually more about adopting a routine and sticking to it.

Part 1: Hydrate
First and foremost, you must drink enough water everyday. It seems like this goes without saying, but when it’s cold it is super easy to substitute water for hot cider.

Bathing in water hot enough to steep tea in is one of the fastest ways to dehydrate your skin (and body). First things first, turn down the dial just a little bit and try to keep your actual shower time at a minimum. Really, this suggestion holds true year-round but in particular when your skin is susceptible to irritation.

Next, invest in a quality hydrating cleanser for your face and a moisturizing body wash for the rest of your skin.

Before you can deal with the redness and itchiness, you have to address the root cause: dryness.

Part 2: Tone and Moisturize
Once you deal with the cause of the dryness and itchiness, replenish even more of your lost moisture by using a hydrating toner afterwards.

Toners, like cleansers, lift dirt and oil from the skin but they’re different because toners help return the pH balance of your skin to normal levels. The pH balance of your skin is a measure of how acidic the oils being secreted are. These pH levels in your skin are affected by products that you use and the food that you eat and when they’re unbalanced, the results include dryness, itchiness, redness, swelling, acne, rashes , etc… .

Between toning and before applying any makeup, be sure to use a hydrating moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin (more so than the usual winter irritation) then invest in brands that are hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic as they are less likely to cause irritation and clogged pores.

Give the moisturizer a few minutes to blend with your skin and be absorbed so that you’re not smearing product on top of a layer of lotion.

It might not seem like these small changes would make much of a difference, but remember that small actions can cause big results.

These few small measures may just be the difference between a nice night snuggled in front the fire and an evening feeling like you’re on fire.

Prep for winter weather the right way and book an appointment in a salon near you!

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