16 Winter Skin Care Tips for Glowing When It's Snowing

December 29, 2016

image result for beautiful woman winter hat in snow red mittens
Let's talk winter and skin.

I live in the Midwest where there are glorious days
of living in a snowglobe...but also extreme winter weather
that does a number on your skin, mainly since the heat
gets cranked up inside, causing skin to become very dry.

Here's the simple math:
Cold weather + Low Humidity = Uncomfortable Dry Skin

And the solution:
Prevent + Soothe + Nourish = A Lovely glow

But first the skinny on skin:
(and you really should pin this to your inspiration board)
image result for humor quote about how to be skinny

Ha!



image result for winter snow sparkling in trees
"Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers." KAHLIL GIBRAN
Read on for helpful skin care tips to the rescue to
get back to glowing when it's chilly and snowing.

image result for woman in red turtleneck and earmuffs iceskating
 "Let us love winter for it is the spring of genius." PIETRO ARTINO

p.s.
This isn't a sponsored post...I won't earn money
from mentioning products here and simply share
what is working for me in case you care to try them.

p.s.s.
I don't sell Votre Vu anymore, but that hasn't kept
me from loving and buying this yummy line!

p.s.s.s.
I didn't start a skincare routine early enough in life,
and I have no excuse really since my mama has always
taken excellent care of her skin (and it shows!) and taught
me better...so I have more lines than Mom and a turkey
neck I feel bad about from years of sun.

p.s.s.s.s.
It's more important than ever that I be more disciplined
since my BRCA1+ diagnosis and family history put me at
risk for melanoma, and I want to take good care of this
skin I am in. 

image result for best tips for skincare in winter

No.1...Make Friends With Luke...Lukewarm.

Hot water temperatures can feel amazing during
the cold winter months, but for cleansing your face
and hands, opt for lukewarm water temperatures
to avoid stripping oils away from the skin.
image result for winter wonderland white trees blue sky
"Winter is the time for comfort...the time for home." EDITH SITWELL

 No. 2...Keep Exfoliating.
Exfoliating to remove dead skin cells from the outer surface of your skin will help to promote smooth skin and prep it to better absorb moisturizer. In winter, you may wish to use a milder exfoliant a few times a week to keep it polished. You'll want to avoid harsh exfoliation which could lead to irritation and increased dryness.

Personally, I have experienced great results with
 Votre Vu's Refind which is super gentle.

image result for street fashion winter red beanie fur coat distressed denim
"Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart." VICTOR HUGO
No. 3...Don't Towel Off Thoroughly.

After a shower, blot your skin dry but do not rub all the water away from your skin after a shower. This will leave some extra moisture on the skin which can be locked in with lotion (and do this immediately).


image result for gorgeous glowing blonde midlife woman in grey
Beautiful skin requires commitment, not a miracle.

No. 4...Keep Moisturizers Accessible.

If your skincare products are hidden in a cupboard or drawer, you are less likely to reach for them or remember to apply them. So do place these moisturizers and lotions where you will see them and within easy reach...right outside the shower, on a nightstand, on a coffee table, on the vanity, in your handbag, and in your car.

I have a thing for Votre Vu Bebe Duette which is this smart
tube with an almond hand creme (smells like love)
and a cool cap on top containing a lip balm...I have them
scattered around the house in winter to grab.


image result for midlife woman long blonde hair
"I love you more than my own skin."  FRIDA KAHLO   (photo credit: son, Jake)
No. 5...Think Indulgently.

If you are a product junkie like, me you may be tempted to be conservative with the application, hoping to stretch the value...but you may not end up using enough to reap the benefits. I think this is especially true for lotions dispensed with a pump where we may skimp on the quantity.


Dermatologist Julia Carroll recommends going large-format as a self-training trick. "A tub is a great signal that this is something you're going to slather all over," she notes. 


image result for laughing midlife woman with grey hair in white
"She runs out of herself, out of her skin. Into freedom." A. Van Herk
No. 6...Oils are Awesome.

When oils are applied over dampness, some of that extra water in the top layer of the epidermis is kept so it can be a smart layering option for dry complexions. I received Aveda's Tulasara Radiant Awakening Ritual for Christmas that I'm applying before moisturizer. It is pretty yummy.


Oil can also be massaged into skin on the face before foundation to boost your glow. 

image result for gorgeous skin complexion young woman
"Shedding one more layer of skin, keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within." BOB DYLAN

No. 7...Avoid Allergens, Toxins & Irritants

Allergens, toxins and irritants can cause certain dry skin conditions to flare, and winter skin is more vulnerable...so avoid contact with: fabric like wool which may irritate, detergents containing a lot of chemicals, and cleaning products with toxins and chemicals.

Use skincare and household products designed for sensitive skin which are made with non-toxic, healthy, and high quality natural ingredients. 

image result for gorgeous midlife woman in polka dots and scarf
"The mind does not take its complexion from the skin." FREDERICK DOUGLASS

No. 8...Prevent Dry Hands.

Skin on our hands is thinner than on other parts of the body (due to fewer oil glands) which is why they dry out easily in cold, dry weather. To prevent itchiness and cracking, make sure to wear gloves outdoors, and avoid wool gloves to avoid irritation. 

I am loving Aveda's Hand Relief  with andiroba oil
and other plant hydrators...it smells complex and luscious.

image result for dark blonde hair gorgeous skin brown eyes
The best foundation? Glowing, healthy skin.

No. 9...Hello, Lovely Humidifier.
Central heating systems blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices so we need the humidity from humidifiers to add moisture to the air to prevent skin from drying out. If you don't have a whole-house humidifier, consider small humidifiers throughout your home to disperse moisture evenly.

image result for gorgeous midlife woman grey hair in swimsuit
"My age is as a lusty winter, frosty but kindly." SHAKESPEARE

No. 10...Hydrating from Inside Isn't Enough.
Your skin will not have a glow if you are dehydrated, and drinking water will definitely improve it. But while water is super important for overall health, "the average person's skin does not reflect the amount of water being drunk," writes Kenneth Bielinski, MD, a dermatologist in Oak Lawn, IL.
The doc says "Its a very common misconception."
So while you may think drinking 10 glasses of water a day will help your skin's moisture, it probably won't, even though it's great for your health. So make sure you are not simply relying on fluid consumption as a substitute for skincare and moisturizing. 

image result for brunette with beautiful skin
"Her skin shone luminous and impossibly pale, as if it drank light from the moon." M. Miller

No. 11...Lip Service.
Since lips do not have oil or sweat glands, they get chapped. Make sure you use a high quality lip balm or rich ointment on them.
I feel as though my lips are extremely fragile and vulnerable as I age so I have to baby them more now in the winter. I wear a long-lasting lip stain like Chanel's Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Color as a barrier even if I am not venturing out in public since these stains seem to seal in moisture after showering and keep my lips from drying. I layer lip color (I like Chanel's Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Color) or lip balm (like
YBF's Quench) on top of the stain, and I usually avoid gloss since this seems to contain drying agents exacerbating the dryness.

image result for beautiful midlife woman grey hair smiling
"Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm, wrinkles the soul..." S. Ullman

No. 12...Moisturize While You Dream.
Areas of your skin which feel dryer, such as hands, feet, elbows, and knees have thin skin and lose moisture quicker than other areas. Slather on moisturizer at night, wearing cotton gloves and socks to seal in the moisture overnight.
image result for beautiful photo of Alfre Woodard
"Think how lucky you are that the skin you live in, so beautifully holds the "You" who's within.” M. TYLER
No. 13...Resist Hot Showers.
This one's a hard pill for me to swallow since there is just nothing like a long hot shower to combat the chill in the air, and since my best creative ideas emerge in the shower (honestly, I feel the way my brain functions in the shower makes it possible to solve global problems and usher in peace on earth...then I turn off the taps to confront cold, dry, complicated reality beyond the steam!).
When the water temperature in the shower is too hot, it dries the skin and washes away those valuable natural oils.

image result for stunning midlife woman grey hair pinstripes
"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."

No. 14...Mr. Sun is Still Here in Winter.
We still need sunscreen in winter despite cold temperatures since the sun's UV rays are still active and still damaging.

image result for gorgeous grey hair haircut
“There is a perfection in everything that cannot be owned.” ANAIS NIN

No. 15...Stick with a Skincare Routine.
Know what I find more annoying than dry skin on my face?
Dry, wrinkly, unevenly toned, saggy skin on my face.
I don't need to look 40, but I'd like a little glow, ya know?
So no matter your age, it's important to habitually use anti-aging and nourishing products day and night to address the needs of changing, aging skin.

image result for gorgeous grey hair midlife woman smiling
"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others." AUDREY HEPBURN

My routine? (you already know I'm a hopeless junkie!)...


image result for YBF skincare products


image result for SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream (1.7oz)


image result for Expurtise serum and eye cream

A new to me serum and eye cream by Expurtise
were recently sent over to review, and so far I am
digging this duet of purity...I'll keep you posted.

 image result for Expurtise on marble bathroom vanity

Just one more tip I want to share about
your skin in winter, although this one is evergreen.

"I am not this hair. I am not this skin. I am the soul that lives within." RUMI
No. 16...Treat Your Skin Like a Beloved Friend.

Your skin is an organ of the body, and although it is forever changing, its cells always turning over, it's the one skin you've got and serves you awfully awfully well if you think about it. Our skin is counting on us to care for it and not curse it or resent it as it progresses through the lifespan...I have been very guilty of this.
But I have a sneaky suspicion that if we begin to think in gentler terms about skin as a dear friend, we will begin to naturally treat it with more loving kindness.


image result for gorgeous grey hair white shirt
"I don't like trends. They tend to make everyone look the same." CAROLINA HERRERA

A Personal Story About Skin

Some of you know I underwent a bilateral mastectomy three years ago and required donor skin for reconstruction (in my case,
Alloderm from the Acelity company).

I cannot express my gratitude for wonderful people
who choose to donate organs (like skin). Many of us,
for various reasons, continue to benefit in important ways,
from organ donors and isn't it an amazing thought that...
because of such a kind offering, in a sense,
that kindness lives on to this day,
literally close to my heart,
with another's skin protecting me?


image result for gorgeous skin grey hair white shirt
"The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter in the imagination." T. GUILLEMETS

Thanks for visiting today, friends.

If you missed these recent posts, be sure
Peace to you right where you are.


You Might Also Like

4 comments

  1. Yes, absolutely, begin YOUNG to take care of your skin. Exfoliation is so important, no matter your age. And, now, dry brushing is said to be "the thing" for today's girls. Great post, my dear. Happy New Year !!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. merci, marsha! of course i had to jump on that dry brushing wagon with aveda making it so irresistible. happy new year, lovely!

      Delete
  2. Great post! I am definitely right there with you as a product junkie! I have been following the Korean skincare program for the last few months and Have had great results. Many of their product use unusual and natural ingredients. I suggest buying the book by Charlotte Cho of Soko glam, it is easy to read and to follow. The Koreans are ahead of us in the skincare game. They are all about prevention and maintenance. Even my hairdresser asked what I was using, that is when I knew for sure it made a difference. Check it out, affordable products that seem to work. They are all about the GLOW......https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Skin-Care-Secrets/dp/0062416383/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483129555&sr=1-1&keywords=charlotte+cho

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks for sharing more secrets, kathysue! xox

      Delete

Your comments add to the beauty...thanks in advance for your kindness.

blogher

Farmhouse Finds!