If you have dry skin, you might have given up on trying to find the perfect skincare routine for it. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your skincare completely. In fact, there are ways you can incorporate some of the most important elements of a skincare routine without having the same problems over and over again. One of the most important steps in any winter skincSTATEe is keeping your skin hydrated. Your layer of outer skin (the epidermis) loses moisture as water evaporates from your sweat, breath, and urine. It’s called evaporative moisture loss and it happens at a faster pace in cold environments like winter. When this layer loses moisture faster than it can be replaced through drinking water or applying oil-based products, it results in dryness and cracking of the skin. Many products designed for winter use tend to be heavier duty with more oils and milks that work to trap water that gets trapped between layers, preventing evaporation from happening so fast. This means if you have dry skin, you need to make sure that the products you use are formulated with more humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid instead of more drying oils like argan or rose oils. Here’s how we do it over here…
## Clearing Scrub
A good way to get your skin feeling soft and smooth during the dry winter months is to use a skin scrub once a week. A scrub gently exfoliates the skin leaving it smooth, soft, and hydrated. You can use a loofah, a microfiber cloth, or a silky face brush.
To prepare your skin for exfoliating, cleanse your face with a face wash. Make sure to remove any makeup and excess dirt, oil, or bacteria from your skin. Make sure to leave your skin clean and free of excess oil. Exfoliating your skin before exfoliating with a scrub helps to remove any excess oil, residue, or bacteria on the surface of your skin that could be blocking pores.
## Step 2: Firming Mask
If your skin is feeling especially dry while you’re trying to use a scrub twice a week, adding a hydrating mask once a week can make a huge difference. Masking is a great way to give your skin a burst of hydration without the feelings of sticky heaviness that usually comes from creams.
Don’t worry about picking the perfect mask for dry skin; many of the ingredients typically found in more nourishing formulas are perfect for dry skin too. You can try honey, aloe, oat milk, rose water, or yogurt to name a few.
## Step 3: Blemish Care
When your skin is super dry, it’s especially easy to get zits or acne. To keep your skin clear, use a benzoyl peroxide (or salicyclic acid) based product like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash.
The best thing to do is to keep your skin clean, avoid picking at your skin, and avoid heavy products that strip your skin of its natural oils.
## Step 4: Brightening Serum
Some of the best dry skin care products are those that work to brighten your skin tone, even if your skin is already feeling hydrated. Using a brightening serum once a week can help to correct any discoloration and brighten your skin tone.
Look for serums with ingredients like niacinamide, licorice, and fermented honey to help boost your skin’s natural barrier, exfoliate your skin to get rid of any dead skin cells, and use a sunscreen daily to prevent any future discoloration from setting in.
## SPF and Eye Cream
One of the best things you can do to keep your skin hydrated and protected in the winter months is to wear sunscreen and an eye cream daily.
Make sure to use an SPF 30+ sunscreen with a broad-spectrum formula that protects against both UVB and UVA rays. If you have oily skin, look for an SPF that goes above 50 and is oil-free.
Make sure to use an eye cream daily underneath your usual moisturizer. Eye creams are designed to target specific signs of aging like dark circles, wrinkles, fine lines, and puffiness.
## Conclusion
The worst thing you can do when your skin feels dry is to skip the skincare routine. Instead, you need to keep your routine as clean as possible and add in some moisturizing products to keep your skin hydrated.
As the temperatures start to drop and the air becomes drier, your skin is going to suffer from some serious dehydration. That’s why it’s so important to keep your skin well hydrated and protected. With the right products, you can keep your skin feeling soft and healthy all winter long.
You don’t have to rely on heavy creams or serums to keep your skin hydrated. Many everyday products can be used to help protect your skin from the elements. You don’t have to compromise on your skincare routine to deal with the cold.
The cold weather is no excuse to skimp on your skincare. If anything, the cold weather is an excuse to slather on more moisturizing products!
