Cold Weather Skin Care

Your skin and hair require different care from season to season. Hydration, protection and repairing treatments and techniques become increasingly important as temperatures drop. For many people, cold clear days bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. They also bring uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face, hands, and feet. For some people, the problem is worse than just a general tight, dry feeling: They get skin so dry it results in flaking and cracking.

Tips

• You may have found a moisturiser that works in spring and summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine.
  Find a moisturiser that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labelled as “night creams” are oil-based.)
• Sunscreen isn’t just for summertime. Winter sun
  when combined with snow glare can still damage your skin.
  Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and
  your hands (if they’re exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside.
  Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time.
• The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it’s harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking.
  Wear gloves when you go outside; if you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first, to avoid any irritation the wool might cause.