Protecting Your Skin from the Cold

We are all well aware of how to protect our skin against the danger of sunrays, but do you know how to protect your skin from the cold as well? It’s a question many of us have probably never thought about. All skin types much be treated kindly. We all have different skin types that can be affected by the cold air, so protecting your skin is critical.

Dry, sensitive, oily, and combination skin can all be protected from the cold. Taking the correct steps in keeping your skin in great condition is important. Since colder weather is just around the corner, we thought we’d share some great tips on how to protect your skin from the cold!

Adjust Your Shower Regimen

The cold can be so chilly and brisk that we forget to take our daily skin care regimen serious. When it gets colder outside we tend to take hotter showers to warm ourselves up. Although they sure do feel great, hotter showers aren’t the greatest for protecting your skin on colder days. Instead try opting for a warm shower that isn’t too hot, but can still give that soothing feel. Hotter showers tend to dry your skin out leaving it pale and lacking radiance.

Also, when showering be mindful of the soaps you’re using when there’s a drop in the weather temperature. It’s good to always have different soap options when bathing, besides who doesn’t love a variety? When it’s cooler outside its better to use a liquid body wash, as opposed to bar soap. In some cases the bar soap includes ingredients that could dry out your skin leaving it harder to stay moisturized in the harsh cold.

Typically after showering we rub ourselves dry, when the weather cools down try patting yourself off, or even air-drying. This reduces the harshness from rubbing with a towel. Immediately after drying off, apply your lotion. Your skin retains moisture from the water for about 3 minutes after drying off, this is the best time to apply lotion so that it works the best it can.

Sunscreen in the Winter

Similar to a warm summer day outside when you use sunscreen to protect your skin from sunrays, you should also apply sunscreen when it’s cold outside. Even though we can’t see the sun outside, UV rays are still there. It’s very important to apply sunscreen to exposed areas, usually your face, neck and hands when it’s cold. As for the lips, it’s important to apply a medicated lip balm specifically designed to prevent chapping and drying of your lips.

Diet Always Makes a Difference

A person’s diet is important when protecting your skin in the cold. As tempting as it may be, don’t overdue the coffee. Too much caffeine is not good for your skin, or your body! The brisk air can strip away your moisture, so be mindful of staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water provides the right amount of nutrients your skin needs to fight the effects of cold weather. Also, try incorporating protein-packed foods, as well as antioxidants and vitamins into your diet. Fatty acids are great for this and can be found in all kinds of fish.

Related: 5 Tips to Improve Your Skin’s Texture

Trying to stay warm isn’t the only you need to worry about when the cold hits! Maintaining your skin’s healthy glow is a must. What tips do you recommend for protecting your skin from the cold? Share your thoughts with the CGS community by leaving a comment below!

-The CGS Team