taking care of your skin in cold weather

Winter Presents a Challenge for Your Skin Care

Winter can be tough on your skin. Cold weather means that there's less moisture in the air, and this in turn will draw moisture from your skin and leave you prone to dry, dull skin and even more frequent acne break-outs. Fortunately, with a bit of planning, you can be proactive about changing your winter skincare regimen to keep your skin silky smooth and healthy year-round.

Here are three tips to better winter skin:

1.) Replenish Lost Moisture
Dry air leads to dry skin, chapped lips and plenty of other issues. Counteract the drying effects of your furnace by boosting the humidity in your home in other ways. A humidifier can help to introduce moisture into the air. Even showering with the bathroom door open can help steam escape and boost your overall indoor humidity.

You can replenish moisture in your skin by using a high-quality moisturizer that's designed for your skin type. For best results, apply moisturizer immediately after showering. Using moisturizer before bed will also give it more time to work its way into your skin and provide the deep nourishment your skin needs.

2.) Take Advantage of Antioxidants
Antioxidants help to replenish your skin by healing damage and encouraging cell growth. One of the most useful antioxidants for the skin is lycopene, which occurs naturally in tomatoes and other red-pigmented plants. You can boost your intake of these plants to add more lycopene to your diet, but using skincare products with lycopene as an active ingredient can be even more beneficial.

In addition to nourishing your cells and preventing or reversing damage caused by dryness and aging, this antioxidant also has powerful acne-fighting properties. This makes it an especially good choice for people who suffer cold-weather break-outs.

3.) Be Extra Gentle With Your Skin
Your skin is at its most delicate when it's dry and stressed by the elements. Avoid causing further damage by using a gentle touch with your skin care regimen. Use warm, not hot, water when showering, and avoid over-enthusiastic scrubbing or exfoliating. If your skin looks pink or raw after exfoliating, you're scrubbing too hard. Blot your skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing it, and avoid skincare products with artificial dyes, perfumes and other substances that can cause irritation.

Take time to pamper your skin this winter. You'll be rewarded with a glowing complexion and softer, smoother skin that's ready for any weather.