10 Tips for Winter Skin Care

​Winter looms. The nights are getting longer, the air is getting cooler which means taking different steps to care for our skin. The following article outlines 10 tips for caring for your skin during the winter months.
During the winter months, we have to worry about windburn, frostbite and dry crackly skin. By adjusting our skin care slightly – with an emphasis on hydration and moisturizing, we can have beautiful smooth and silky skin all winter long.

1.  Hydrate – Keeping yourself hydrated is just as important during the winter as it is during the winter. Drinking plenty of fresh water is great for your skin. Our skin is our largest organ, and staying hydrated keeps it in great shape.
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2.  Moisturize – The very best time to moisturize is right after a shower. Your pores are open and receptive to soak up everything you give it right after you bathe. Try to use a body oil or cream-based lotion after you dry off. By adding this step in the morning, you may not need to moisturize anything but your face and hands the rest of the day.

3.  Protect While You Sleep –Having a solid bedtime skin routine will do wonders for your skin. Moisturizing with an oil or cream-based lotion right before bed will greatly benefit your face while you sleep. You will wake up with soft skin that will stand up to the stress the day will bring. Using a sleep mask over the top of your normal lotion will add even more benefits.

4.  Prevent – Sunscreen isn’t just for summer. I’m sure we’ve all received a sunburn on a cloudy day. And if you are around a reflective surface such as snow or water, those UV rays will likely lead to some sun damage. Don’t neglect to wear some type of SPF coverage year-round.

5.  Cleanse –Removing makeup, dirt, and grime that sits on your face during the day isespecially important during the winter months. You will want to use a gentle cleanser during the winter and one that is either devoid of fragrance or one that utilizes essential oils.

6.  Turn Down the Heat – It doesn’t matter whether you are heating with electric or wood heat – it’s going to dry out your skin. By keeping your heat lower than normal, you will keep the dryness away. It can be hard to regulate the heat from a woodstove. By keeping a pan of water boiling on the wood stovethroughout the day adds moisture to the air and to your skin. It’s also beneficial to keep your showers shorter and use lukewarm water. Long, hot showers, although they feel heavenly, will dry out your skin quickly – and it will take a lot of work to replenish that moisture.

​7.  Healthy Fats – By consuming healthy omega-3 fats, you will add oil and moisture back into your skin. Add an omega-3 supplement to your daily vitamin dose, or a few servings of foods rich in omega-3’s to your weekly menu.

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8.  Pucker Up – The winter months are especially tough on our lips. Use a lip balm with minimal ingredients and no chemical fragrances. The simpler the ingredients, the better it will work to really heal chapped lips. 
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9.  Avoid Harsh Soaps – Soaps and detergents that are made with chemicals can work toward removing moisture and irritating sensitive skin. Instead, opt for more naturally made soaps that are not made up of chemicals. Soaps that use minimal ingredients, and that utilize the healing properties of essential oils are your best bet for soft skin.

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10.  Avoid Alcohol – I’m not talking about avoiding the hot buttered rum during Christmas. I’m talking about alcohol-based toners, astringents, and antibacterial soaps. Anything that contains alcohol is guaranteed to dry out your skin. Wash your face with a gentle natural soap and follow that up with a moisturizing lotion. Save the alcohol-based toners for summer.

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​In a nutshell, make sure you are using more oil-based moisturizers this winter that will add all of the love your skin needs. All of MB Botanicals moisturizing products are oil-based and use quality essential oils and ingredients to help you through this winter.