Dropping temperature, indoor heating, the colder season can be hard on your poor skin. Here are a few must-know beauty tips on how to maintain sexy, kissable skin all winter long!
1. Drink water
Whether or not you’re thirsty, water is your best friend for keeping you and your skin hydrated and clear. The skin is an organ, and just like all organs, skin needs water to function. If it doesn’t function well, then you’ll start to see flakiness, dryness, and eventually, wrinkles. Water also helps flush out all the toxins in your system. If you’re a camel and barely drink any water, chances are, you’ll need more moisture along with drinking 8 glasses a day. Moisturize! Skin care products containing hyaluronic acid are an excellent choice for your skin, because hyaluronic acid holds 1,000 times its own weight in water, and can keep water sticking to your skin.
2. Eat less sugar
Sugar isn’t so sweet on the skin for multiple reasons. Sugar can drain your cells of water, and create dry skin and under eye circles. Sugar also leads to inflammation, causing breakouts, and depletes the collagen in your skin, which causes wrinkles. It can also make you hungrier and moodier due to blood sugar imbalances that occur when you eat high-sugar foods. A lot of what you eat shows on your skin, so make sure you’re not loading up on too many comfort foods (as you open up another bag of chips). Remember, everything in moderation. Try a healthier antioxidant-rich option like blueberries instead of a sugar cookie next time.
3. Exercise
I bet you’re a total fit chick during the summer, but going to the gym may be the last thing on your mind during winter. Working out in general is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your skin, because it gets your blood circulating faster, and gets rid of cellular debris within, leaving you with healthy skin. Try doing something fun that doesn’t even feel like a workout, like ice skating. Besides, winter depression is SO not a myth, and exercise helps alleviate the stress of that tremendously!
4. No hot showers or bath
But…but that’s what winter is dedicated to, right?! Why else would I splurge on Bath and Body Works? Sorry to say this, but long, hot showers and baths break down lipid barriers on your skin, leaving you with drier skin than before. You’re better off with regular, warm water.
5. Don’t ignore your rough spots
Caring for elbows, knees, and heels is commonly dismissed due to the fact that these are areas of the body that are thicker. That doesn’t mean they deserve less attention. When these areas are ashy and dry, they’re not only gross-they hurt, too. Always keep them moisturized, and exfoliate 1-2 times a week.
6. Fish are friends, and food
Healthy oils and fats in fish such as salmon have proven to have great effects on the skin.They have been shown to prevent aging and wrinkles and avert the development of inflammatory substances in the body, leaving you with a gorgeous complexion.
7. Drink less alcohol
It depends on what you drink, and how much you drink, but generally drinking alcohol dries out the skin, and can lead to gaping, unappealing pores. However, a glass of red wine has more antioxidants than white wine, and can support skin health and reduce aging. Drink responsibly.
8. Use milk as a face mask
The lactic acid in milk makes your pores feel incredible. Milk has traditionally been used as an exfoliant and revives the skin’s complexion. Cleopatra actually used to bathe in it! Fit for a queen.
9. Unscented baby powder works wonders
Use it where there’s skin-on-skin contact, like under the arms, or the inner thighs. The baby powder keeps these areas clean and dry, preventing unwanted bacteria.
10. Switch to added-fat soaps
Soaps like Dove and Neutrogena have added fats in them, which can provide your skin with the right oils that will hydrate it. Make sure to bring a loofah to exfoliate and help wrangle out the ingrown hairs!
11. Run a humidifier at night
Moisturize the air in your room, and that in turn will moisturize your skin. Wake up feeling fresh, and ready to start the day! Just make sure you clean your humidifier periodically to prohibit molding.
